Sample records for thiol reducing agents

  1. Modification of the mitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor by thiol reagents.

    PubMed

    Szewczyk, A; Wójcik, G; Lobanov, N A; Nalecz, M J

    1999-08-19

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects exerted by thiol-modifying reagents on themitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor. The thiol-oxidizing agents (timerosal and 5, 5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)) were found to produce a large inhibition (70% to 80%) of specific binding of [(3)H]glibenclamide to the beef heart mitochondrial membrane. Similar effects were observed with membrane permeable (N-ethylmaleimide) and non-permeable (mersalyl) thiol modifying agents. Glibenclamide binding was also decreased by oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide) but not by reducing agents (reduced gluthatione, dithiothreitol and the 2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-dithiolbutane). The results suggest that intact thiol groups, facing the mitochondrial matrix, are essential for glibenclamide binding to the mitochondrial sulfonylurea receptor. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  2. Synthesis of a thiol-β-cyclodextrin, a potential agent for controlling enzymatic browning in fruits and vegetables.

    PubMed

    Manta, Carmen; Peralta-Altier, Gabriela; Gioia, Larissa; Méndez, María F; Seoane, Gustavo; Ovsejevi, Karen

    2013-11-27

    A thiol-β-cyclodextrin was synthesized by a simple and environmentally friendly three-step method comprising epoxy activation of β-cyclodextrin, thiosulfate-mediated oxirane opening, and further reduction of the S-alkyl thiosulfate to a thiol group. The final step was optimized by using thiopropyl-agarose, a solid phase reducing agent with many advantages over soluble ones. β-Cyclodextrin thiolation was confirmed by titration with a thiol-reactive reagent, NMR studies, and MALDI-TOF/TOF. Thiolated cyclodextrin had an average value of one thiol group per molecule. Thiol-β-cyclodextrin proved to be an excellent agent for controlling polyphenol oxidase activity. This copper-containing enzyme is responsible for browning in fruits and vegetables. Under the same conditions, thiol-β-cyclodextrin generated a reductive microenvironment that increased the antibrowning effect on Red Delicious apples compared to unmodified β-cyclodextrin.

  3. Comparative study of the anti-HIV activities of ascorbate and thiol-containing reducing agents in chronically HIV-infected cells.

    PubMed

    Harakeh, S; Jariwalla, R J

    1991-12-01

    To elucidate the action of vitamin C on pathogenic human retroviruses, we investigated and compared the effects of noncytoxic concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA), its calcium salt (Ca-ascorbate), and two thiol-based reducing agents [glutathione (GSH) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)] against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication in chronically infected T lymphocytes. Ca-ascorbate reduced extracellular HIV reverse transcriptase (RT) activity by about the same magnitude as the equivalent dose of AA. Long-term experiments showed that continuous presence of ascorbate was necessary for HIV suppression. NAC (10 mmol/L) caused less than twofold inhibition of HIV RT and conferred a synergistic effect (approximately eightfold inhibition) when tested simultaneously with AA (0.426 mmol/L). In contrast, nonesterified GSH (less than or equal to 1.838 mmol/L) had no effect on RT concentrations and did not potentiate the anti-HIV effect of AA. These results further support the potent antiviral activity of ascorbate and suggest its therapeutic value in controlling HIV infection in combination with thiols.

  4. Activation energy determinations suggest that thiols reverse autooxidation of tetrahydrobiopterin by a different mechanism than ascorbate.

    PubMed

    Valent, Sándor; Tóth, Miklós

    2006-01-01

    In neutral aqueous solutions tetrahydrobiopterin is oxidized by dioxygen in a reaction that is succinctly described as autooxidation. Ascorbate and thiols moderate this reaction by reversing the oxidative process. In the present study the effect of various thiols on the apparent Arrhenius activation energy of tetrahydrobiopterin autooxidation was characterized and compared to that of ascorbate determined previously. We observed that - in sharp contrast to ascorbate - the efficiency of thiols to protect tetrahydrobiopterin decreased with the elevation of temperature from 22 to 37 degrees C. Accordingly, the apparent Arrhenius activation energies (in kJ/mol) measured in the presence of thiols were consistently greater than the value determined with tetrahydrobiopterin alone (59.6 +/- 1.4) or in the presence of ascorbate (59.9 +/- 2.8). Thus, the energy values were 88.8+/-1.1 with glutathione, 87.6 +/- 2.1 with N-acetylcysteine, 79.2 +/- 1.6 with cysteine, 75.1 +/- 2.4 with dithiotreitol and 70.3 +/- 0.9 with homocysteine. Since thiols are as potent reducing agents as ascorbate, these findings suggest that thiols and ascorbate protect tetrahydrobiopterin from oxidation acting at different steps of the oxidation process. It is likely that thiols reduce quinoidal dihydrobiopterin, whereas ascorbate scavenges the trihydrobiopterin radical to tetrahydrobiopterin. Furthermore, the results indicate that thiols are excellent tools to protect tetrahydrobiopterin from autooxidative decomposition in laboratory experiments conducted at relatively low temperatures, whereas the protective effect diminishes at 37 degrees C, i.e. under physiological conditions.

  5. Role of sulfhydryl-dependent dimerization of soluble guanylyl cyclase in relaxation of porcine coronary artery to nitric oxide.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Xiaoxu; Ying, Lei; Liu, Juan; Dou, Dou; He, Qiong; Leung, Susan Wai Sum; Man, Ricky Y K; Vanhoutte, Paul M; Gao, Yuansheng

    2011-06-01

    Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a heterodimer. The dimerization of the enzyme is obligatory for its function in mediating actions caused by agents that elevate cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The present study aimed to determine whether sGC dimerization is modulated by thiol-reducing agents and whether its dimerization influences relaxations in response to nitric oxide (NO). The dimers and monomers of sGC and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) were analysed by western blotting. The intracellular cGMP content was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Changes in isometric tension were determined in organ chambers. In isolated porcine coronary arteries, the protein levels of sGC dimer were decreased by the thiol reductants dithiothreitol, l-cysteine, reduced l-glutathione and tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine. The effect was associated with reduced cGMP elevation and attenuated relaxations in response to nitric oxide donors. The dimerization of sGC and activation of the enzyme were also decreased by dihydrolipoic acid, an endogenous thiol antioxidant. Dithiothreitol at concentrations markedly affecting the dimerization of sGC had no significant effect on the dimerization of PKG or relaxation in response to 8-Br-cGMP. Relaxation of the coronary artery in response to a NO donor was potentiated by hypoxia when sGC was partly inhibited, coincident with an increase in sGC dimer and enhanced cGMP production. These effects were prevented by dithiothreitol and tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine. These results demonstrate that the dimerization of sGC is exquisitely sensitive to thiol reductants compared with that of PKG, which may provide a novel mechanism for thiol-dependent modulation of NO-mediated vasodilatation in conditions such as hypoxia.

  6. Hydrogen sulfide deactivates common nitrobenzofurazan-based fluorescent thiol labeling reagents.

    PubMed

    Montoya, Leticia A; Pluth, Michael D

    2014-06-17

    Sulfhydryl-containing compounds, including thiols and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), play important but differential roles in biological structure and function. One major challenge in separating the biological roles of thiols and H2S is developing tools to effectively separate the reactivity of these sulfhydryl-containing compounds. To address this challenge, we report the differential responses of common electrophilic fluorescent thiol labeling reagents, including nitrobenzofurazan-based scaffolds, maleimides, alkylating agents, and electrophilic aldehydes, toward cysteine and H2S. Although H2S reacted with all of the investigated scaffolds, the photophysical response to each scaffold was significantly different. Maleimide-based, alkylating, and aldehydic thiol labeling reagents provided a diminished fluorescence response when treated with H2S. By contrast, nitrobenzofurazan-based labeling reagents were deactivated by H2S addition. Furthermore, the addition of H2S to thiol-activated nitrobenzofurazan-based reagents reduced the fluorescence signal, thus establishing the incompatibility of nitrobenzofurazan-based thiol labeling reagents in the presence of H2S. Taken together, these studies highlight the differential reactivity of thiols and H2S toward common thiol-labeling reagents and suggest that sufficient care must be taken when labeling or measuring thiols in cellular environments that produce H2S due to the potential for both false-positive and eroded responses.

  7. Benzofurazan Sulfides for Thiol Imaging and Quantification in Live Cells through Fluorescence Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Li, Yinghong; Yang, Yang; Guan, Xiangming

    2012-01-01

    Thiol groups play a significant role in various cellular functions. Cellular thiol concentrations can be affected by various physiological or pathological factors. A fluorescence imaging agent that can effectively and specifically image thiols in live cells through fluorescence microscopy is desirable for live cell thiol monitoring. Benzofurazan sulfides 1a–e were synthesized and found to be thiol specific fluorogenic agents except 1d. They are not fluorescent but form strong fluorescent thiol adducts after reacting with thiols through a sulfide-thiol exchange reaction. On the other hand, they exhibit no reaction with other biologically relevant nucleophilic functional groups such as -NH2, -OH, or -COOH revealing the specificity for the detection of thiols. Sulfide 1a was selected to confirm its ability to image cellular thiols through fluorescence microscopy. The compound was demonstrated to effectively image and quantify thiol changes in live cells through fluorescence microscopy using 430 nm and 520 nm as the excitation and emission wavelengths respectively. The quantification results of total thiol in live cells obtained from fluorescence microscopy were validated by an HPLC/UV total thiol assay method. The reagents and method will be of a great value to thiol redox-related research. PMID:22794193

  8. Investigation of the Prebiotic Synthesis of Amino Acids and RNA Bases from CO2 Using FeS/H2S As a Reducing Agent

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keefe, Anthony D.; Miller, Stanley L.; McDonald, Gene; Bada, Jeffrey

    1995-01-01

    An autotrophic theory of the origin of metabolism and life has been proposed in which carbon dioxide is reduced by ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide by means of a reversed citric acid cycle, leading to the production of amino acids. Similar processes have been proposed for purine synthesis. Ferrous sulfide is a strong reducing agent in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and can produce hydrogen as well as reduce alkenes, alkynes, and thiols to saturated hydrocarbons and reduce ketones to thiols. However, the reduction of carbon dioxide has not been demonstrated. We show here that no amino acids, purities, or pyrimidines are produced from carbon dioxide with the ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide system. Furthermore, this system does not produce amino acids from carboxylic acids by reductive amination and carboxylation. Thus, the proposed autotrophic theory, using carbon dioxide, ferrous sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide, lacks the robustness needed to be a geological process and is, therefore, unlikely to have played a role In the origin of metabolism or the origin of life.

  9. Investigation of the Prebiotic Synthesis of Amino Acids and RNA Bases from CO2 using FeS/H2S as a Reducing Agent

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keefe, Anthony D.; Miller, Stanley L.; McDonald, Gene; Bada, Jeffrey

    1995-01-01

    An autotrophic theory of the origin of metabolism and life has been proposed in which carbon dioxide is reduced by ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide by means of a reversed citric acid cycle, leading to the production of amino acids. Similar processes have been proposed for purine synthesis. Ferrous sulfide is a strong reducing agent in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and can produce hydrogen as well as reduce alkenes, alkynes, and thiols to saturated hydrocarbons and reduce ketones to thiols. However, the reduction of carbon dioxide has not been demonstrated. We show here that no amino acids, purines, or pyrimidines are produced from carbon dioxide with the ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide system. Furthermore, this system does not produce amino acids from carboxylic acids by reductive amination and carboxylation. Thus, the proposed autotrophic theory, using carbon dioxide, ferrous sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide, lacks the robustness needed to be a geological process and is, therefore, unlikely to have played a role in the origin of metabolism or the origin of life.

  10. Extracellular biosynthesis of monodispersed gold nanoparticles by a SAM capping route

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wen, Li; Lin, Zhonghua; Gu, Pingying; Zhou, Jianzhang; Yao, Bingxing; Chen, Guoliang; Fu, Jinkun

    2009-02-01

    Monodispersed gold nanoparticles capped with a self-assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol were biosynthesized extracellularly by an efficient, simple, and environmental friendly procedure, which involved the use of Bacillus megatherium D01 as the reducing agent and the use of dodecanethiol as the capping ligand at 26 °C. The kinetics of gold nanoparticle formation was followed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. It was shown that reaction time was an important parameter in controlling the morphology of gold nanoparticles. The effect of thiol on the shape, size, and dispersity of gold nanoparticles was also studied. The results showed that the presence of thiol during the biosynthesis could induce the formation of small size gold nanoparticles (<2.5 nm), hold the shape of spherical nanoparticles, and promote the monodispersity of nanoparticles. Through the modulation of reaction time and the use of thiol, monodispersed spherical gold nanoparticles capped with thiol of 1.9 ± 0.8 nm size were formed by using Bacillus megatherium D01.

  11. Effective solidification/stabilisation of mercury-contaminated wastes using zeolites and chemically bonded phosphate ceramics.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shaoqing; Zhang, Xinyan; Xiong, Ya; Wang, Guoping; Zheng, Na

    2015-02-01

    In this study, two kinds of zeolites materials (natural zeolite and thiol-functionalised zeolite) were added to the chemically bonded phosphate ceramic processes to treat mercury-contaminated wastes. Strong promotion effects of zeolites (natural zeolite and thiol-functionalised zeolite) on the stability of mercury in the wastes were obtained and these technologies showed promising advantages toward the traditional Portland cement process, i.e. using Portland cement as a solidification agent and natural or thiol-functionalised zeolite as a stabilisation agent. Not only is a high stabilisation efficiency (lowered the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure Hg by above 10%) obtained, but also a lower dosage of solidification (for thiol-functionalised zeolite as stabilisation agent, 0.5 g g(-1) and 0.7 g g(-1) for chemically bonded phosphate ceramic and Portland cement, respectively) and stabilisation agents (for natural zeolite as stabilisation agent, 0.35 g g(-1) and 0.4 g g(-1) for chemically bonded phosphate ceramic and Portland cement, respectively) were used compared with the Portland cement process. Treated by thiol-functionalised zeolite and chemically bonded phosphate ceramic under optimum parameters, the waste containing 1500 mg Hg kg(-1) passed the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure test. Moreover, stabilisation/solidification technology using natural zeolite and chemically bonded phosphate ceramic also passed the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure test (the mercury waste containing 625 mg Hg kg(-1)). Moreover, the presence of chloride and phosphate did not have a negative effect on the chemically bonded phosphate ceramic/thiol-functionalised zeolite treatment process; thus, showing potential for future application in treatment of 'difficult-to-manage' mercury-contaminated wastes or landfill disposal with high phosphate and chloride content. © The Author(s) 2015.

  12. Thiol-Ene functionalized siloxanes for use as elastomeric dental impression materials

    PubMed Central

    Cole, Megan A.; Jankousky, Katherine C.; Bowman, Christopher N.

    2014-01-01

    Objectives Thiol- and allyl-functionalized siloxane oligomers are synthesized and evaluated for use as a radical-mediated, rapid set elastomeric dental impression material. Thiol-ene siloxane formulations are crosslinked using a redox-initiated polymerization scheme, and the mechanical properties of the thiol-ene network are manipulated through the incorporation of varying degrees of plasticizer and kaolin filler. Formulations with medium and light body consistencies are further evaluated for their ability to accurately replicate features on both the gross and microscopic levels. We hypothesize that thiol-ene functionalized siloxane systems will exhibit faster setting times and greater detail reproduction than commercially available polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) materials of comparable consistencies. Methods Thiol-ene functionalized siloxane mixtures formulated with varying levels of redox initiators, plasticizer, and kaolin filler are made and evaluated for their polymerization speed (FTIR), consistency (ISO4823.9.2), and surface energy (goniometer). Feature replication is evaluated quantitatively by SEM. The Tg, storage modulus, and creep behavior are determined by DMA. Results Increasing redox initiation rate increases the polymerization rate but at high levels also limits working time. Combining 0.86 wt% oxidizing agent with up to 5 wt% plasticizer gave a working time of 3 min and a setting time of 2 min. The selected medium and light body thiol-ene formulations also achieved greater qualitative detail reproduction than the commercial material and reproduced micrometer patterns with 98% accuracy. Significance Improving detail reproduction and setting speed is a primary focus of dental impression material design and synthesis. Radical-mediated polymerizations, particularly thiol-ene reactions, are recognized for their speed, reduced shrinkage, and ‘click’ nature. PMID:24553250

  13. Functional thiols as repair and doping agents of defective MoS2 monolayers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Förster, Anja; Gemming, Sibylle; Seifert, Gotthard

    2018-06-01

    Recent experimental and theoretical studies indicate that thiols (R-SH) can be used to repair sulfur vacancy defects in MoS2 monolayers (MLs). This density functional theory study investigates how the thiol repair mechanism process can be used to dope MoS2 MLs. Fluorinated thiols as well as amine-containing ones are used to p- and n-dope the MoS2 ML, respectively. It is shown that functional groups are only physisorbed on the repaired MoS2 surface. This explains the reversible doping with fluorinated thiols.

  14. Proteomic detection of oxidized and reduced thiol proteins in cultured cells.

    PubMed

    Cuddihy, Sarah L; Baty, James W; Brown, Kristin K; Winterbourn, Christine C; Hampton, Mark B

    2009-01-01

    The oxidation and reduction of cysteine residues is emerging as an important post-translational control of protein function. We describe a method for fluorescent labelling of either reduced or oxidized thiols in combination with two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE) to detect changes in the redox proteome of cultured cells. Reduced thiols are labelled with the fluorescent compound 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein. To monitor oxidized thiols, the reduced thiols are first blocked with N-ethyl-maleimide, then the oxidized thiols reduced with dithiothreitol and labelled with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein. The method is illustrated by treating Jurkat T-lymphoma cells with hydrogen peroxide and monitoring increased labelling of oxidized thiol proteins. A decrease in labelling can also be detected, and this is attributed to the formation of higher oxidation states of cysteine that are not reduced by dithiothreitol.

  15. Effect of Anti-Hepatotoxic Agents Against Microcystin-LR Toxicity in Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1989-01-10

    mechanisms of both agents against microcystin-LR indced toxicosis. Toxins such as acetaminophen, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone, bromobenzeiv, dicoumarol, menadione ...ORRENIUS, S. (1984). Menadione -imduced cytoxicity is associated with protein thiol oxidation and alteration in intracellular Ca+ 2 homeostasis. Arch...G. AND ORRENIUS, S. (1985). inhibition of hepatocyte plasma membrane Ca+ 2-ATPase activity by menadione metabolism and its restoration by thiols

  16. Growth of fluorescence gold clusters using photo-chemically activated ligands

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishra, Dinesh; Aldeek, Fadi; Michael, Serge; Palui, Goutam; Mattoussi, Hedi

    2016-03-01

    Ligands made of lipoic acid (LA) appended with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain have been used in the aqueous phase growth of luminescent gold clusters with distinct emission from yellow to near-IR, using two different routes. In the first route, the gold-ligand complex was chemically reduced using sodium borohydride in alkaline medium, which gave near- IR luminescent gold clusters with maximum emission around 745 nm. In the second method, LA-PEG ligand was photochemically modified to a mixture of thiols, oligomers and oxygenated species under UV-irradiation, which was then used as both reducing agent and stabilizing ligand. By adjusting the pH, temperature, and time of the reaction, we were able to obtain clusters with two distinct emission properties. Refluxing the gold-ligand complex in alkaline medium in the presence of excess ligand gave yellow emission within the first two hours and the emission shifted to red after overnight reaction. Mass spectrometry and chemical assay were used to understand the photo-chemical transformation of Lipoic Acid (LA). Mass spectroscopic studies showed the photo-irradiated product contains thiols, oligomers (dimers, trimers and tetramers) as well as oxygenated species. The amount of thiol formed under different conditions of irradiation was estimated using Ellman's assay.

  17. Use of an Anaerobic Chamber Environment for the Assay of Endogenous Cellular Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatase Activities

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Li

    2002-01-01

    Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have a catalytic cysteine residue whose reduced state is integral to the reaction mechanism. Since exposure to air can artifactually oxidize this highly reactive thiol, PTPase assays have typically used potent reducing agents to reactivate the enzymes present; however, this approach does not allow for the measurement of the endogenous PTPase activity directly isolated from the in vivo cellular environment. Here we provide a method for using an anaerobic chamber to preserve the activity of the total PTPase complement in a tissue lysate or of an immunoprecipitated PTPase homolog to characterize their endogenous activation state. Comparison with a sample treated with biochemical reducing agents allows the determination of the activatable (reducible) fraction of the endogenous PTPase pool. PMID:12734574

  18. Method of saccharifying cellulose

    DOEpatents

    Johnson, E.A.; Demain, A.L.; Madia, A.

    1983-05-13

    A method is disclosed of saccharifying cellulose by incubation with the cellulase of Clostridium thermocellum in a broth containing an efficacious amount of thiol reducing agent. Other incubation parameters which may be advantageously controlled to stimulate saccharification include the concentration of alkaline earth salts, pH, temperature, and duration. By the method of the invention, even native crystalline cellulose such as that found in cotton may be completely saccharified.

  19. Octadecyl Chains Immobilized onto Hyaluronic Acid Coatings by Thiol-ene "Click Chemistry" Increase the Surface Antimicrobial Properties and Prevent Platelet Adhesion and Activation to Polyurethane.

    PubMed

    Felgueiras, Helena P; Wang, L M; Ren, K F; Querido, M M; Jin, Q; Barbosa, M A; Ji, J; Martins, M C L

    2017-03-08

    Infection and thrombus formation are still the biggest challenges for the success of blood contact medical devices. This work aims the development of an antimicrobial and hemocompatible biomaterial coating through which selective binding of albumin (passivant protein) from the bloodstream is promoted and, thus, adsorption of other proteins responsible for bacterial adhesion and thrombus formation can be prevented. Polyurethane (PU) films were coated with hyaluronic acid, an antifouling agent, that was previously modified with thiol groups (HA-SH), using polydopamine as the binding agent. Octadecyl acrylate (C18) was used to attract albumin since it resembles the circulating free fatty acids and albumin is a fatty acid transporter. Thiol-ene "click chemistry" was explored for C18 immobilization on HA-SH through a covalent bond between the thiol groups from the HA and the alkene groups from the C18 chains. Surfaces were prepared with different C18 concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20%) and successful immobilization was demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle determinations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ability of surfaces to bind albumin selectively was determined by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Albumin adsorption increased in response to the hydrophobic nature of the surfaces, which augmented with C18 saturation. HA-SH coating reduced albumin adsorption to PU. C18 immobilized onto HA-SH at 5% promoted selective binding of albumin, decreased Staphylococcus aureus adhesion and prevented platelet adhesion and activation to PU in the presence of human plasma. C18/HA-SH coating was established as an innovative and promising strategy to improve the antimicrobial properties and hemocompatibility of any blood contact medical device.

  20. Effect of a Polymercaptan Material on the Electro-Optical Properties of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films.

    PubMed

    Sun, Yujian; Zhang, Cuihong; Zhou, Le; Fang, Hua; Huang, Jianhua; Ma, Haipeng; Zhang, Yi; Yang, Jie; Zhang, Lan-Ying; Song, Ping; Gao, Yanzi; Xiao, Jiumei; Li, Fasheng; Li, Kexuan

    2016-12-30

    Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by the ultraviolet-light-induced polymerization of photopolymerizable monomers in nematic liquid crystal/chiral dopant/thiol-acrylate reaction monomer composites. The effects of the chiral dopant and crosslinking agents on the electro-optical properties of the PDLC films were systematically investigate. While added the chiral dopant S811 into the PDLC films, the initial off-state transmittance of the films was decreased. It was found that the weight ratio among acrylate monomers, thiol monomer PETMP and the polymercaptan Capcure 3-800 showed great influence on the properties of the fabricated PDLC films because of the existence of competition between thiol-acrylate reaction and acrylate monomer polymerization reaction. While adding polymercaptans curing agent Capcure 3-800 with appropriate concentration into the PDLC system, lower driven voltage and higher contrast ratio were achieved. This made the polymer network and electro-optical properties of the PDLC films easily tunable by the introduction of the thiol monomers.

  1. Species-Specific Standard Redox Potential of Thiol-Disulfide Systems: A Key Parameter to Develop Agents against Oxidative Stress

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mirzahosseini, Arash; Noszál, Béla

    2016-11-01

    Microscopic standard redox potential, a new physico-chemical parameter was introduced and determined to quantify thiol-disulfide equilibria of biological significance. The highly composite, codependent acid-base and redox equilibria of thiols could so far be converted into pH-dependent, apparent redox potentials (E’°) only. Since the formation of stable metal-thiolate complexes precludes the direct thiol-disulfide redox potential measurements by usual electrochemical techniques, an indirect method had to be elaborated. In this work, the species-specific, pH-independent standard redox potentials of glutathione were determined primarily by comparing it to 1-methylnicotinamide, the simplest NAD+ analogue. Secondarily, the species-specific standard redox potentials of the two-electron redox transitions of cysteamine, cysteine, homocysteine, penicillamine, and ovothiol were determined using their microscopic redox equilibrium constants with glutathione. The 30 different, microscopic standard redox potential values show close correlation with the respective thiolate basicities and provide sound means for the development of potent agents against oxidative stress.

  2. Graphene Oxide-Polymer Composite Langmuir Films Constructed by Interfacial Thiol-Ene Photopolymerization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Luo, Xiaona; Ma, Kai; Jiao, Tifeng; Xing, Ruirui; Zhang, Lexin; Zhou, Jingxin; Li, Bingbing

    2017-02-01

    The effective synthesis and self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites are of key importance for a broad range of nanomaterial applications. In this work, a one-step chemical strategy is presented to synthesize stable GO-polymer Langmuir composite films by interfacial thiol-ene photopolymerization at room temperature, without use of any crosslinking agents and stabilizing agents. It is discovered that photopolymerization reaction between thiol groups modified GO sheets and ene in polymer molecules is critically responsible for the formation of the composite Langmuir films. The film formed by Langmuir assembly of such GO-polymer composite films shows potential to improve the mechanical and chemical properties and promotes the design of various GO-based nanocomposites. Thus, the GO-polymer composite Langmuir films synthesized by interfacial thiol-ene photopolymerization with such a straightforward and clean manner, provide new alternatives for developing chemically modified GO-based hybrid self-assembled films and nanomaterials towards a range of soft matter and graphene applications.

  3. Recycling of the High Valence States of Heme Proteins by Cysteine Residues of Thimet-Oligopeptidase

    PubMed Central

    Ferreira, Juliana C.; Icimoto, Marcelo Y.; Marcondes, Marcelo F.; Oliveira, Vitor; Nascimento, Otaciro R.; Nantes, Iseli L.

    2013-01-01

    The peptidolytic enzyme THIMET-oligopeptidase (TOP) is able to act as a reducing agent in the peroxidase cycle of myoglobin (Mb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The TOP-promoted recycling of the high valence states of the peroxidases to the respective resting form was accompanied by a significant decrease in the thiol content of the peptidolytic enzyme. EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) analysis using DBNBS spin trapping revealed that TOP also prevented the formation of tryptophanyl radical in Mb challenged by H2O2. The oxidation of TOP thiol groups by peroxidases did not promote the inactivating oligomerization observed in the oxidation promoted by the enzyme aging. These findings are discussed towards a possible occurrence of these reactions in cells. PMID:24223886

  4. Compact and highly stable quantum dots through optimized aqueous phase transfer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tamang, Sudarsan; Beaune, Grégory; Poillot, Cathy; De Waard, Michel; Texier-Nogues, Isabelle; Reiss, Peter

    2011-03-01

    A large number of different approaches for the aqueous phase transfer of quantum dots have been proposed. Surface ligand exchange with small hydrophilic thiols, such as L-cysteine, yields the lowest particle hydrodynamic diameter. However, cysteine is prone to dimer formation, which limits colloidal stability. We demonstrate that precise pH control during aqueous phase transfer dramatically increases the colloidal stability of InP/ZnS quantum dots. Various bifunctional thiols have been applied. The formation of disulfides, strongly diminishing the fluorescence QY has been prevented through addition of appropriate reducing agents. Bright InP/ZnS quantum dots with a hydrodynamic diameter <10 nm and long-term stability have been obtained. Finally we present in vitro studies of the quantum dots functionalized with the cell-penetrating peptide maurocalcine.

  5. N-acetylcysteine protects melanocytes against oxidative stress/damage and delays onset of UV-induced melanoma in mice

    PubMed Central

    Cotter, Murray A.; Thomas, Joshua; Cassidy, Pamela; Robinette, Kyle; Jenkins, Noah; Scott, R. Florell; Leachman, Sancy; Samlowski, Wolfram E.; Grossman, Douglas

    2008-01-01

    UV radiation is the major environmental risk factor for melanoma and a potent inducer of oxidative stress, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies. We evaluated whether the thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) could protect melanocytes from UV-induced oxidative stress/damage in vitro and from UV-induced melanoma in vivo. In melan-a cells, a mouse melanocyte line, NAC (1–10 mM) conferred protection from several UV-induced oxidative sequelae including production of intracellular peroxide, formation of the signature oxidative DNA lesion 8-oxoguanine (8-OG), and depletion of free reduced thiols (primarily glutathione). Mice transgenic for hepatocyte growth factor and Survivin, previously shown to develop melanoma following a single neonatal dose of UV irradiation, were administered NAC (7 mg/ml, mother’s drinking water) transplacentally and through nursing until two weeks after birth. Delivery of NAC in this manner reduced thiol depletion and blocked formation of 8-OG in skin following neonatal UV treatment. Mean onset of UV-induced melanocytic tumors was significantly delayed in NAC-treated compared to control mice (21 vs. 14 weeks, p=0.0003). Our data highlight the potential importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of melanoma, and suggest that NAC may be useful as a chemopreventive agent. PMID:17908992

  6. Iodine Coulometry of Various Reducing Agents Including Thiols with Online Photocell Detection Coupled to a Multifunctional Chemical Analysis Station to Eliminate Student End Point Detection by Eye

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Padilla Mercado, Jeralyne B.; Coombs, Eri M.; De Jesus, Jenny P.; Bretz, Stacey Lowery; Danielson, Neil D.

    2018-01-01

    Multifunctional chemical analysis (MCA) systems provide a viable alternative for large scale instruction while supporting a hands-on approach to more advanced instrumentation. These systems are robust and typically use student stations connected to a remote central computer for data collection, minimizing the need for computers at every student…

  7. Copper(II)-Mediated Hydrogen Sulfide and Thiol Oxidation to Disulfides and Organic Polysulfanes and Their Reductive Cleavage in Wine: Mechanistic Elucidation and Potential Applications.

    PubMed

    Kreitman, Gal Y; Danilewicz, John C; Jeffery, David W; Elias, Ryan J

    2017-03-29

    Fermentation-derived volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are undesirable in wine and are often remediated in a process known as copper fining. In the present study, the addition of Cu(II) to model and real wine systems containing hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and thiols provided evidence for the generation of disulfides (disulfanes) and organic polysulfanes. Cu(II) fining of a white wine spiked with glutathione, H 2 S, and methanethiol (MeSH) resulted in the generation of MeSH-glutathione disulfide and trisulfane. In the present study, the mechanisms underlying the interaction of H 2 S and thiols with Cu(II) is discussed, and a prospective diagnostic test for releasing volatile sulfur compounds from their nonvolatile forms in wine is investigated. This test utilized a combination of reducing agents, metal chelators, and low-oxygen conditions to promote the release of H 2 S and MeSH, at levels above their reported sensory thresholds, from red and white wines that were otherwise free of sulfidic off-odors at the time of addition.

  8. Non-protein thiol imaging and quantification in live cells with a novel benzofurazan sulfide triphenylphosphonium fluorogenic compound.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yang; Guan, Xiangming

    2017-05-01

    Thiols (-SH) play various roles in biological systems. They are divided into protein thiols (PSH) and non-protein thiols (NPSH). Due to the significant roles thiols play in various physiological/pathological functions, numerous analytical methods have been developed for thiol assays. Most of these methods are developed for glutathione, the major form of NPSH. Majority of these methods require tissue/cell homogenization before analysis. Due to a lack of effective thiol-specific fluorescent/fluorogenic reagents, methods for imaging and quantifying thiols in live cells are limited. Determination of an analyte in live cells can reveal information that cannot be revealed by analysis of cell homogenates. Previously, we reported a thiol-specific thiol-sulfide exchange reaction. Based on this reaction, a benzofurazan sulfide thiol-specific fluorogenic reagent was developed. The reagent was able to effectively image and quantify total thiols (PSH+NPSH) in live cells through fluorescence microscopy. The reagent was later named as GUALY's reagent. Here we would like to report an extension of the work by synthesizing a novel benzofurazan sulfide triphenylphosphonium derivative [(((7,7'-thiobis(benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-4,4'-sulfonyl))bis(methylazanediyl))bis(butane-4,1-diyl))bis(triphenylphosphonium) (TBOP)]. Like GUALY's reagent, TBOP is a thiol-specific fluorogenic agent that is non-fluorescent but forms fluorescent thiol adducts in a thiol-specific fashion. Different than GUALY's reagent, TBOP reacts only with NPSH but not with PSH. TBOP was effectively used to image and quantify NPSH in live cells using fluorescence microscopy. TBOP is a complementary reagent to GUALY's reagent in determining the roles of PSH, NPSH, and total thiols in thiol-related physiological/pathological functions in live cells through fluorescence microscopy. Graphical Abstract Live cell imaging and quantification of non-protein thiols by TBOP.

  9. Cisplatin impairs rat liver mitochondrial functions by inducing changes on membrane ion permeability: prevention by thiol group protecting agents.

    PubMed

    Custódio, José B A; Cardoso, Carla M P; Santos, Maria S; Almeida, Leonor M; Vicente, Joaquim A F; Fernandes, Maria A S

    2009-05-02

    Cisplatin (CisPt) is the most important platinum anticancer drug widely used in the treatment of head, neck, ovarian and testicular cancers. However, the mechanisms by which CisPt induces cytotoxicity, namely hepatotoxicity, are not completely understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of CisPt on rat liver mitochondrial functions (Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), mitochondrial bioenergetics, and mitochondrial oxidative stress) to better understand the mechanism underlying its hepatotoxicity. The effect of thiol group protecting agents and some antioxidants against CisPt-induced mitochondrial damage was also investigated. Treatment of rat liver mitochondria with CisPt (20nmol/mg protein) induced Ca(2+)-dependent mitochondrial swelling, depolarization of membrane potential (DeltaPsi), Ca(2+) release, and NAD(P)H fluorescence intensity decay. These effects were prevented by cyclosporine A (CyA), a potent and specific inhibitor of the MPT. In the concentration range of up to 40nmol/mg protein, CisPt slightly inhibited state 3 and stimulated state 2 and state 4 respiration rates using succinate as respiratory substrate. The respiratory indexes, respiratory control ratio (RCR) and ADP/O ratios, the DeltaPsi, and the ADP phosphorylation rate were also depressed. CisPt induced mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization to protons (proton leak) but did not induce significant changes on mitochondrial H(2)O(2) generation. All the effects induced by CisPt on rat liver mitochondria were prevented by thiol group protecting agents namely, glutathione (GSH), dithiothreitol (DTT), N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and cysteine (CYS), whereas superoxide-dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate (ASC) were without effect. In conclusion, the anticancer drug CisPt: (1) increases the sensitivity of mitochondria to Ca(2+)-induced MPT; (2) interferes with mitochondrial bioenergetics by increasing mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization to H(+); (3) does not significantly affect H(2)O(2) generation by mitochondria; (4) its mitochondrial damaging effects are protected by thiol group protecting agents. Based on these conclusions, it is possible to hypothesise that small changes on the redox-status of thiol groups, affecting membrane permeability to cations (Ca(2+) and H(+)) underlie CisPt-induced liver mitochondrial damage, putatively responsible for its hepatotoxicity. Therefore, we propose that CisPt-induced mitochondrial damage and consequent hepatotoxicity could be prevented by using thiol group protecting agents as therapeutic adjuvants.

  10. Separation of thiol and cyanide hydrolysis products of chemical warfare agents by capillary electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Copper, Christine L; Collins, Greg E

    2004-03-01

    The fluorescence derivatizing agent, o-phthalaldehyde (OPA), has been applied to the separation and detection of cyanide and several structurally similar thiols by capillary electrophoresis (CE)-laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Of particular interest to this investigation was the separation of 2-dimethylaminoethanethiol, 2-diethylaminoethanethiol, and cyanide, each of which are hydrolysis products or hydrolysis product simulants of the chemical warfare (CW) agents O-ethyl S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (VX), O-isobutyl S-2-diethylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (R-VX), and tabun (GA). Other structurally similar thiols simultaneously resolved by this method include 1-pentanethiol and 2-mercaptoethanol. Instrumental parameters were probed and optimum values for capillary length (50 cm) and inner diameter (75 microm), injection time (30 s) and field strength (15 kV) were determined. Sample stacking methods enabled detection limits of 9.3 microg/L for cyanide, 1.8 microg/L for 2-diethylaminoethanethiol, 35 microg/L for 2-dimethylaminoethanethiol, 15 microg/L for 2-mercaptoethanol, and 89 microg/L for 1-pentanethiol. The linearity of the method was verified over an order of magnitude and the reproducibility was found to be 3.0%.

  11. Evaluation of the influence of sulfur-based functional groups on the embedding of silver nanoparticles into the pores of MCM-41

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

    Oliveira, Roselaine da S.; Camilo, Fernanda F.; Bizeto, Marcos A., E-mail: mabizeto@unifesp.br

    The incorporation of noble metals in the pores of mesoporous silicas might produce materials with interesting catalytic and sensing capabilities, but the proper control of pore filling and the avoidance of nanoparticles migration to outside the pores are processes not yet completely understood. In this work, we evaluated the role of –SH and –SO{sub 3}H groups post-grafted into MCM-41 on the production of silver nanoparticles by using 1-butanol as reducing agent. Thiol groups were the most efficient on promoting the formation of nanoparticles within the pores. Conversely, sulfonic groups establish electrostatic interactions with silver cations that preclude the formation ofmore » nanoparticle in yields comparable to thiol groups. MCM-41 without functional groups did not have good affinity to silver and the nanoparticles are produced outside the pores. This study showed the importance on selecting an adequate surface functional group in order to obtain silver nanoparticles filling the pores of MCM-41. - Graphical abstract: Silver nanoparticles formation inside the pores of sulfur-groups functionalized mesoporous silica. - Highlights: • Silver nanoparticles formation inside the pores of mesoporous silica. • n-butanol as reducing agent of impregnated silver cations. • Tuning the silica surface properties by grafting sulfur-based functional groups. • Influence on the loading and distribution of the nanoparticles through the pores.« less

  12. DEPLETION OF CELLULAR PROTEIN THIOLS AS AN INDICATOR OF ARYLATION IN ISOLATED TROUT HEPATOCYTES EXPOSED TO 1,4-BENZOQUINONE

    EPA Science Inventory

    A method for the measurement of protein thiols (PrSH), un-reacted as well as oxidized, i.e. dithiothreitol recoverable, was adapted for the determination of PrSH depletion in isolated rainbow trout hepatocytes exposed to an arylating agent, 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ). Toxicant analysi...

  13. The synthesis of novel hybrid thiol-functionalized nano-structured SBA-15

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoang, Van Duc; Phuong Dang, Tuyet; Khieu Dinh, Quang; Phu Nguyen, Huu; Vu, Anh Tuan

    2010-09-01

    Mesoporous thiol-functionalized SBA-15 has been directly synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) with triblock copolymer P123 as-structure-directing agent under hydrothermal conditions. Surfactant removal was performed by Soxhlet ethanol extraction. These materials have been characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption/desorption (BET model), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The main parameters, such as the initial molar ratio of MPTMS to TEOS, the time of adding MPTMS to synthesized gel and the Soxhlet ethanol extraction on the thiol functionalized SBA-15 with high thiol content and highly ordered hexagonal mesostructure, were investigated and evaluated. The adsorption capacity of the thiol-functionalized and non-functionalized SBA-15 materials for Pb2+ ion from aqueous solution was tested. It was found that the Pb2+ adsorption capacity of the thiol functionalized SBA-15 is three times higher than that of non-functionalized SBA-15.

  14. Enhancement of bismuth antibacterial activity with lipophilic thiol chelators.

    PubMed Central

    Domenico, P; Salo, R J; Novick, S G; Schoch, P E; Van Horn, K; Cunha, B A

    1997-01-01

    The antibacterial properties of bismuth are greatly enhanced when bismuth is combined with certain lipophilic thiol compounds. Antibacterial activity was enhanced from 25- to 300-fold by the following seven different thiols, in order of decreasing synergy: 1,3-propanedithiol, dimercaprol (BAL), dithiothreitol, 3-mercapto-2-butanol, beta-mercaptoethanol, 1-monothioglycerol, and mercaptoethylamine. The dithiols produced the greatest synergy with bismuth at optimum bismuth-thiol molar ratios of from 3:1 to 1:1. The monothiols were generally not as synergistic and required molar ratios of from 1:1 to 1:4 for optimum antibacterial activity. The most-active mono- or dithiols were also the most soluble in butanol. The intensity of the yellow formed by bismuth-thiol complexes reflected the degree of chelation and correlated with antibacterial potency at high molar ratios. The bismuth-BAL compound (BisBAL) was active against most bacteria, as assessed by broth dilution, agar diffusion, and agar dilution analyses. Staphylococci (MIC, 5 to 7 microM Bi3+) and Helicobacter pylori (MIC, 2.2 microM) were among the most sensitive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive (MIC, < 17 microM). Enterococci were relatively resistant (MIC, 63 microM Bi3+). The MIC range for anaerobes was 15 to 100 microM Bi3+, except for Clostridium difficile (MIC, 7.5 microM). Bactericidal activity averaged 29% above the MIC. Bactericidal activity increased with increasing pH and/or increasing temperature. Bismuth-thiol solubility, stability, and antibacterial activity depended on pH and the bismuth-thiol molar ratio. BisBAL was stable but ineffective against Escherichia coli at pH 4. Activity and instability (reactivity) increased with increasing alkalinity. BisBAL was acid soluble at a molar ratio of greater than 3:2 and alkaline soluble at a molar ratio of less than 2:3. In conclusion, certain lipophilic thiol compounds enhanced bismuth antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria. The activity, solubility, and stability of BisBAL were strongly dependent on the pH, temperature, and molar ratio. Chelation of bismuth with certain thiol agents enhanced the solubility and lipophilicity of this cationic heavy metal, thereby significantly enhancing its potency and versatility as an antibacterial agent. PMID:9257744

  15. Spectrophotometric Determination of Phenolic Antioxidants in the Presence of Thiols and Proteins.

    PubMed

    Avan, Aslı Neslihan; Demirci Çekiç, Sema; Uzunboy, Seda; Apak, Reşat

    2016-08-12

    Development of easy, practical, and low-cost spectrophotometric methods is required for the selective determination of phenolic antioxidants in the presence of other similar substances. As electron transfer (ET)-based total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays generally measure the reducing ability of antioxidant compounds, thiols and phenols cannot be differentiated since they are both responsive to the probe reagent. In this study, three of the most common TAC determination methods, namely cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt/trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS/TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were tested for the assay of phenolics in the presence of selected thiol and protein compounds. Although the FRAP method is almost non-responsive to thiol compounds individually, surprising overoxidations with large positive deviations from additivity were observed when using this method for (phenols + thiols) mixtures. Among the tested TAC methods, CUPRAC gave the most additive results for all studied (phenol + thiol) and (phenol + protein) mixtures with minimal relative error. As ABTS/TEAC and FRAP methods gave small and large deviations, respectively, from additivity of absorbances arising from these components in mixtures, mercury(II) compounds were added to stabilize the thiol components in the form of Hg(II)-thiol complexes so as to enable selective spectrophotometric determination of phenolic components. This error compensation was most efficient for the FRAP method in testing (thiols + phenols) mixtures.

  16. Study of disulfide reduction and alkyl chloroformate derivatization of plasma sulfur amino acids using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Svagera, Zdeněk; Hanzlíková, Dagmar; Simek, Petr; Hušek, Petr

    2012-03-01

    Four disulfide-reducing agents, dithiothreitol (DTT), 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS), and the newly tested 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) and Tris(hydroxypropyl)phosphine (THP), were investigated in detail for release of sulfur amino acids in human plasma. After protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid (TCA), the plasma supernatant was treated with methyl, ethyl, or propyl chloroformate via the well-proven derivatization-extraction technique and the products were subjected to gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. All the tested agents proved to be rapid and effective reducing agents for the assay of plasma thiols. When compared with DTT, the novel reducing agents DMPS, MESNA, and THP provided much cleaner extracts and improved analytical performance. Quantification of homocysteine, cysteine, and methionine was performed using their deuterated analogues, whereas other analytes were quantified by means of 4-chlorophenylalanine. Precise and reliable assay of all examined analytes was achieved, irrespective of the chloroformate reagent used. Average relative standard deviations at each analyte level were ≤6%, quantification limits were 0.1-0.2 μmol L(-1), recoveries were 94-121%, and linearity was over three orders of magnitude (r(2) equal to 0.997-0.998). Validation performed with the THP agent and propyl chloroformate derivatization demonstrated the robustness and reliability of this simple sample-preparation methodology.

  17. Quantitative and comparative liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analyses of hydrogen sulfide and thiol metabolites derivaitized with 2-iodoacetanilide isotopologues.

    PubMed

    Lee, Der-Yen; Huang, Wei-Chieh; Gu, Ting-Jia; Chang, Geen-Dong

    2018-06-01

    Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), previously known as a toxic gas, is now recognized as a gasotransmitter along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. However, only few methods are available for quantitative determination of H 2 S in biological samples. 2-Iodoacetanilide (2-IAN), a thiol-reacting agent, has been used to tag the reduced cysteine residues of proteins for quantitative proteomics and for detection of cysteine oxidation modification. In this article, we proposed a new method for quantitative analyses of H 2 S and thiol metabolites using the procedure of pre-column 2-IAN derivatization coupled with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). 13 C 6 -Labeled and label-free 2-IAN efficiently react with H 2 S and thiol compounds at pH 9.5 and 65 °C. The derivatives exhibit excellent stability at alkaline conditions, high resolution on reverse phase liquid chromatography and great sensitivity for ESI-MS detection. The measurement of H 2 S, l-cysteine, glutathione, and DL-homocysteine derivatives was validated using 13 C 6 -labeled standard in LC-ESI-MS analyses and exhibited 10 nM-1 μM linear ranges for DL-homocysteine and glutathione and 1 nM-1 μM linear ranges for l-cysteine and H 2 S. In addition, the sequence of derivatization and extraction of metabolites is important in the quantification of thiol metabolites suggesting the presence of matrix effects. Most importantly, labeling with 2-IAN and 13 C 6 -2-IAN isotopologues could achieve quantitative and matched sample comparative analyses with minimal bias using our extraction and labeling procedures before LC-MS analysis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Plastid-Localized Glutathione Reductase2–Regulated Glutathione Redox Status Is Essential for Arabidopsis Root Apical Meristem Maintenance[C][W

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Xin; Pasternak, Taras; Eiblmeier, Monika; Ditengou, Franck; Kochersperger, Philip; Sun, Jiaqiang; Wang, Hui; Rennenberg, Heinz; Teale, William; Paponov, Ivan; Zhou, Wenkun; Li, Chuanyou; Li, Xugang; Palme, Klaus

    2013-01-01

    Glutathione is involved in thiol redox signaling and acts as a major redox buffer against reactive oxygen species, helping to maintain a reducing environment in vivo. Glutathione reductase (GR) catalyzes the reduction of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) into reduced glutathione (GSH). The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes two GRs: GR1 and GR2. Whereas the cytosolic/peroxisomal GR1 is not crucial for plant development, we show here that the plastid-localized GR2 is essential for root growth and root apical meristem (RAM) maintenance. We identify a GR2 mutant, miao, that displays strong inhibition of root growth and severe defects in the RAM, with GR activity being reduced to ∼50%. miao accumulates high levels of GSSG and exhibits increased glutathione oxidation. The exogenous application of GSH or the thiol-reducing agent DTT can rescue the root phenotype of miao, demonstrating that the RAM defects in miao are triggered by glutathione oxidation. Our in silico analysis of public microarray data shows that auxin and glutathione redox signaling generally act independently at the transcriptional level. We propose that glutathione redox status is essential for RAM maintenance through both auxin/PLETHORA (PLT)-dependent and auxin/PLT-independent redox signaling pathways. PMID:24249834

  19. Spectrophotometric Determination of Phenolic Antioxidants in the Presence of Thiols and Proteins

    PubMed Central

    Avan, Aslı Neslihan; Demirci Çekiç, Sema; Uzunboy, Seda; Apak, Reşat

    2016-01-01

    Development of easy, practical, and low-cost spectrophotometric methods is required for the selective determination of phenolic antioxidants in the presence of other similar substances. As electron transfer (ET)-based total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays generally measure the reducing ability of antioxidant compounds, thiols and phenols cannot be differentiated since they are both responsive to the probe reagent. In this study, three of the most common TAC determination methods, namely cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt/trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS/TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were tested for the assay of phenolics in the presence of selected thiol and protein compounds. Although the FRAP method is almost non-responsive to thiol compounds individually, surprising overoxidations with large positive deviations from additivity were observed when using this method for (phenols + thiols) mixtures. Among the tested TAC methods, CUPRAC gave the most additive results for all studied (phenol + thiol) and (phenol + protein) mixtures with minimal relative error. As ABTS/TEAC and FRAP methods gave small and large deviations, respectively, from additivity of absorbances arising from these components in mixtures, mercury(II) compounds were added to stabilize the thiol components in the form of Hg(II)-thiol complexes so as to enable selective spectrophotometric determination of phenolic components. This error compensation was most efficient for the FRAP method in testing (thiols + phenols) mixtures. PMID:27529232

  20. Alkylating agent induced NRF2 blocks endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis via control of glutathione pools and protein thiol homeostasis

    PubMed Central

    Zanotto-Filho, Alfeu; Masamsetti, V. Pragathi; Loranc, Eva; Tonapi, Sonal S.; Gorthi, Aparna; Bernard, Xavier; Gonçalves, Rosângela Mayer; Moreira, José C. F.; Chen, Yidong; Bishop, Alexander J. R.

    2016-01-01

    Alkylating agents are a commonly used cytotoxic class of anticancer drugs. Understanding the mechanisms whereby cells respond to these drugs is key to identify means to improve therapy while reducing toxicity. By integrating genome-wide gene expression profiling, protein analysis and functional cell validation, we herein demonstrated a direct relationship between NRF2 and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress pathways in response to alkylating agents, which is coordinated by the availability of glutathione (GSH) pools. GSH is essential for both drug detoxification and protein thiol homeostasis within the ER, thus inhibiting ER stress induction and promoting survival; an effect independent of its antioxidant role. NRF2 accumulation induced by alkylating agents resulted in increased GSH synthesis via GCLC/GCLM enzyme, and interfering with this NRF2 response by either NRF2 knockdown or GCLC/GCLM inhibition with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) caused accumulation of damaged proteins within the ER, leading to PERK-dependent apoptosis. Conversely, upregulation of NRF2, through KEAP1 depletion or NRF2-myc overexpression, or increasing GSH levels with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or glutathione-ethyl-ester (GSH-E), decreased ER stress and abrogated alkylating agents-induced cell death. Based on these results, we identified a subset of lung and head-and-neck carcinomas with mutations in either KEAP1 or NRF2/NFE2L2 genes that correlate with NRF2 targets overexpression and poor survival. In KEAP1 mutant cancer cells, NRF2 knockdown and GSH depletion increased cell sensitivity via ER stress induction in a mechanism specific to alkylating drugs. Overall, we show that the NRF2-GSH influence on ER homeostasis implicates defects in NRF2-GSH or ER stress machineries as affecting alkylating therapy toxicity. PMID:27638861

  1. Methods of measuring Protein Disulfide Isomerase activity: a critical overview

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watanabe, Monica; Laurindo, Francisco; Fernandes, Denise

    2014-09-01

    Protein disulfide isomerase is an essential redox chaperone from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is responsible for correct disulfide bond formation in nascent proteins. PDI is also found in other cellular locations in the cell, particularly the cell surface. Overall, PDI contributes to ER and global cell redox homeostasis and signaling. The knowledge about PDI structure and function progressed substantially based on in vitro studies using recombinant PDI and chimeric proteins. In these experimental scenarios, PDI reductase and chaperone activities are readily approachable. In contrast, assays to measure PDI isomerase activity, the hallmark of PDI family, are more complex. Assessment of PDI roles in cells and tissues mainly relies on gain- or loss-of-function studies. However, there is limited information regarding correlation of experimental readouts with the distinct types of PDI activities. In this mini-review, we evaluate the main methods described for measuring the different kinds of PDI activity: thiol reductase, thiol oxidase, thiol isomerase and chaperone. We emphasize the need to use appropriate controls and the role of critical interferents (e.g., detergent, presence of reducing agents). We also discuss the translation of results from in vitro studies with purified recombinant PDI to cellular and tissue samples, with critical comments on the interpretation of results.

  2. Enzymes immobilization on Fe 3O 4-gold nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalska-Szostko, B.; Rogowska, M.; Dubis, A.; Szymański, K.

    2012-01-01

    In the present study Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ from chlorides. In the next step magnetite-gold core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized from HAuCl4 using an ethanol as a reducing agent. Finally, magnetic nanoparticles were functionalized by hexadecanethiol. The immobilization of biological molecules (trypsin and glucose oxidase) to the thiol-modified and unmodified magnetite-gold nanoparticles surface was tested. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

  3. Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis and effects of smoking on homeostasis parameters in patients with psoriasis.

    PubMed

    Emre, Selma; Demirseren, Duriye Deniz; Alisik, Murat; Aktas, Akin; Neselioglu, Salim; Erel, Ozcan

    2017-12-01

    Recently, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress have been suggested in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of this study to evaluate the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with psoriasis. Ninety patients with psoriasis who did not receive any systemic treatment in the last six  months were included in the study. Seventy-six age and gender-matched healthy volunteers served as control group. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was measured in venous blood samples obtained from patient and control groups. Native thiol and total thiol levels were significantly higher in patients than in control group. When thiol/disulfide hemostasis parameters and clinical and demographic characteristics were compared, a negative correlation was detected between native thiol and total thiol with age. The levels of total thiols had also negative correlation with PASI and duration of the disease. When we divided the patients into smokers and non-smokers, native thiol and total thiol levels were significantly higher in smokers than in controls, whereas native thiol and total thiol levels were comparable in non-smoker patients and controls. Thiol/disulfide balance shifted towards thiol in psoriasis patients and this may be responsible for increased keratinocyte proliferation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

  4. Comparison of Hydrazone Heterobifunctional Crosslinking Agents for Reversible Conjugation of Thiol-Containing Chemistry

    PubMed Central

    Christie, R. James; Anderson, Diana J.; Grainger, David W.

    2010-01-01

    Reversible covalent conjugation chemistries that allow site- and condition-specific coupling and uncoupling reactions are attractive components in nanotechnologies, bioconjugation methods, imaging and drug delivery systems. Here, we compare three heterobifunctional crosslinkers, containing both thiol- and amine- reactive chemistry, to form pH-labile hydrazones with hydrazide derivatives of the known and often published water-soluble polymer, poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide)] (pHPMA), while subsequently coupling thiol-containing molecules to the crosslinker via maleimide addition. Two novel crosslinkers were prepared from the popular heterobifunctional crosslinking agent, succinimidyl-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (SMCC), modified to contain either terminal aldehyde groups (i.e., 1-(N-3-propanal)-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane carboxamide, PMCA) or methylketone groups (i.e., 1-(N-3-butanone)-4-(N-maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane carboxamide, BMCA). A third crosslinking agent was the commercially available N-4-acetylphenyl maleimide (APM). PMCA and BMCA exhibited excellent reactivity towards hydrazide-derivatized pHPMA with essentially complete hydrazone conjugation to polymer reactive sites, while APM coupled only ~ 60% of available reactive sites on the polymer despite a 3-fold molar excess relative to polymer hydrazide groups. All polymer hydrazone conjugates bearing these bifunctional agents were then further reacted with thiol-modified tetramethylrhodamine dye, confirming crosslinker maleimide reactivity after initial hydrazone polymer conjugation. Incubation of dye-labeled polymer conjugates in phosphate buffered saline at 37°C showed that hydrazone coupling resulting from APM exhibited the greatest difference in stability between pH 7.4 and 5.0, with hydrolysis and dye release increased at pH 5.0 over a 24hr incubation period. Polymer conjugates bearing hydrazones formed from crosslinker BMCA exhibited intermediate stability with hydrolysis much greater at pH 5.0 at early time points, but hydrolysis at pH 7.4 was significant after 5 hrs. Hydrazones formed with the PMCA crosslinker showed no difference in release rates at pH 7.4 and 5.0. PMID:20695431

  5. Exploring the core level shift origin of sulfur and thiolates on Pd(111) surfaces.

    PubMed

    Salvarezza, Roberto Carlos; Carro, Pilar

    2015-10-07

    Thiol molecules on planar metal surfaces are widely used for building sensing and electronic devices and also as capping agents to protect and to control the size and shape of nanoparticles. In the case of Pd the thiol molecules exhibit a complex behavior because C-S bond scission is possible, resulting in a significant amount of co-adsorbed S. Therefore identification of these species on Pd is a key point for many applications, a task that is usually achieved by XPS. Here we show, from DFT calculations, that the core level shift (CLS) of the S 2p binding energy (BE) of thiol and sulfur on different thiol-Pd(111) surface models strongly depends on the adsorbed or subsurface state of sulfur atoms. Our results reflect the complexity of S 2p BE behavior and contribute to understanding and reanalyzing the experimental data of thiolated Pd surfaces.

  6. Analysis of the Organic Hydroperoxide Response of Chromobacterium violaceum Reveals That OhrR Is a Cys-Based Redox Sensor Regulated by Thioredoxin

    PubMed Central

    da Silva Neto, José F.; Negretto, Caroline C.; Netto, Luis E. S.

    2012-01-01

    Organic hydroperoxides are oxidants generated during bacterial-host interactions. Here, we demonstrate that the peroxidase OhrA and its negative regulator OhrR comprise a major pathway for sensing and detoxifying organic hydroperoxides in the opportunistic pathogen Chromobacterium violaceum. Initially, we found that an ohrA mutant was hypersensitive to organic hydroperoxides and that it displayed a low efficiency for decomposing these molecules. Expression of ohrA and ohrR was specifically induced by organic hydroperoxides. These genes were expressed as monocistronic transcripts and also as a bicistronic ohrR-ohrA mRNA, generating the abundantly detected ohrA mRNA and the barely detected ohrR transcript. The bicistronic transcript appears to be processed. OhrR repressed both the ohrA and ohrR genes by binding directly to inverted repeat sequences within their promoters in a redox-dependent manner. Site-directed mutagenesis of each of the four OhrR cysteine residues indicated that the conserved Cys21 is critical to organic hydroperoxide sensing, whereas Cys126 is required for disulfide bond formation. Taken together, these phenotypic, genetic and biochemical data indicate that the response of C. violaceum to organic hydroperoxides is mediated by OhrA and OhrR. Finally, we demonstrated that oxidized OhrR, inactivated by intermolecular disulfide bond formation, is specifically regenerated via thiol-disulfide exchange by thioredoxin (but not other thiol reducing agents such as glutaredoxin, glutathione and lipoamide), providing a physiological reducing system for this thiol-based redox switch. PMID:23071722

  7. The impact of disulfide bond dynamics in wheat gluten protein on the development of fermented pastry crumb.

    PubMed

    Ooms, Nand; Jansens, Koen J A; Pareyt, Bram; Reyniers, Stijn; Brijs, Kristof; Delcour, Jan A

    2018-03-01

    Gluten proteins functionality during pastry production was examined by including redox agents in the ingredient bill. Addition of reducing and oxidizing agents respectively increased and decreased dough height during fermentation. The presence of large gas bubbles in the samples with oxidizing agents may have caused a 'stacking'-effect and a more effective dough lift. During baking, the level of extractable proteins decreased to comparable values for all samples, except when potassium iodate (KIO 3 ) was used in the recipe. As a result of its use, a lower level of gliadin was incorporated into the gluten polymer and dough layers tended to 'slide' apart during baking, thereby causing collapse. Most likely, KIO 3 caused glutenin oxidation within each individual dough layer to such extent during the dough stage that insufficient thiol groups were available for forming dough layer interconnections during baking, after margarine melting. Furthermore, addition of redox agents impacted the product's crumb structure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. One-step fabrication of PEGylated fluorescent nanodiamonds through the thiol-ene click reaction and their potential for biological imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Hongye; Liu, Meiying; Tuo, Xun; Chen, Junyu; Mao, Liucheng; Wen, Yuanqing; Tian, Jianwen; Zhou, Naigen; Zhang, Xiaoyong; Wei, Yen

    2018-05-01

    Over the past years, fluorescent carbon nanoparticles have got growing interest for biological imaging. Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are novel fluorescent carbon nanoparticles with multitudinous useful properties, including remarkable fluorescence properties, extremely low toxicity and high refractive index. However, facile preparation of FNDs with designable properties and functions from non-fluorescent detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) has demonstrated to be challengeable. In this work, we reported for the first time that preparation of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized FNDs through a one-step thiol-ene click reaction using thiol containing PEG (PEG-SH) as the coating agent. Based on the characterization results, we demonstrated that PEG-SH could be efficiently introduced on DNDs to obtain FNDs through the thiol-ene click chemistry. The resultant FND-PEG composites showed high water dispersibility, strong fluorescence and low cytotoxicity. Moreover, FND-PEG composites could be internalized by cells and displayed good cell dyeing performance. All of these features implied that FND-PEG composites are of great potential for biological imaging. Taken together, a facile one-step strategy based on the one-step thiol-ene click reaction has been developed for efficient preparation of FND-PEG composites from non-fluorescent DNDs. The strategy should be also useful for fabrication of many other functional FNDs via using different thiol containing compounds for the universality of thiol-ene click reaction.

  9. Transdermal thiol-acrylate polyethylene glycol hydrogel synthesis using near infrared light

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chung, Solchan; Lee, Hwangjae; Kim, Hyung-Seok; Kim, Min-Gon; Lee, Luke P.; Lee, Jae Young

    2016-07-01

    Light-induced polymerization has been widely applied for hydrogel synthesis, which conventionally involves the use of ultraviolet or visible light to activate a photoinitiator for polymerization. However, with these light sources, transdermal gelation is not efficient and feasible due to their substantial interactions with biological systems, and thus a high power is required. In this study, we used biocompatible and tissue-penetrating near infrared (NIR) light to remotely trigger a thiol-acrylate reaction for efficient in vivo gelation with good controllability. Our gelation system includes gold nanorods as a photothermal agent, a thermal initiator, diacrylate polyethylene glycol (PEG), and thiolated PEG. Irradiation with a low-power NIR laser (0.3 W cm-2) could induce gelation via a mixed-mode reaction with a small increase in temperature (~5 °C) under the optimized conditions. We also achieved successful transdermal gelation via the NIR-assisted photothermal thiol-acryl reactions. This new type of NIR-assisted thiol-acrylate polymerization provides new opportunities for in situ hydrogel formation for injectable hydrogels and delivery of drugs/cells for various biomedical applications.Light-induced polymerization has been widely applied for hydrogel synthesis, which conventionally involves the use of ultraviolet or visible light to activate a photoinitiator for polymerization. However, with these light sources, transdermal gelation is not efficient and feasible due to their substantial interactions with biological systems, and thus a high power is required. In this study, we used biocompatible and tissue-penetrating near infrared (NIR) light to remotely trigger a thiol-acrylate reaction for efficient in vivo gelation with good controllability. Our gelation system includes gold nanorods as a photothermal agent, a thermal initiator, diacrylate polyethylene glycol (PEG), and thiolated PEG. Irradiation with a low-power NIR laser (0.3 W cm-2) could induce gelation via a mixed-mode reaction with a small increase in temperature (~5 °C) under the optimized conditions. We also achieved successful transdermal gelation via the NIR-assisted photothermal thiol-acryl reactions. This new type of NIR-assisted thiol-acrylate polymerization provides new opportunities for in situ hydrogel formation for injectable hydrogels and delivery of drugs/cells for various biomedical applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: FE-SEM image of thiol-acrylate hydrogels; UV/Vis spectra of Ellman's assay; the temperature increase during transdermal photothermal hydrogelation. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01956k

  10. Click-PEGylation - A mobility shift approach to assess the redox state of cysteines in candidate proteins.

    PubMed

    van Leeuwen, Lucie A G; Hinchy, Elizabeth C; Murphy, Michael P; Robb, Ellen L; Cochemé, Helena M

    2017-07-01

    The redox state of cysteine thiols is critical for protein function. Whereas cysteines play an important role in the maintenance of protein structure through the formation of internal disulfides, their nucleophilic thiol groups can become oxidatively modified in response to diverse redox challenges and thereby function in signalling and antioxidant defences. These oxidative modifications occur in response to a range of agents and stimuli, and can lead to the existence of multiple redox states for a given protein. To assess the role(s) of a protein in redox signalling and antioxidant defence, it is thus vital to be able to assess which of the multiple thiol redox states are present and to investigate how these alter under different conditions. While this can be done by a range of mass spectrometric-based methods, these are time-consuming, costly, and best suited to study abundant proteins or to perform an unbiased proteomic screen. One approach that can facilitate a targeted assessment of candidate proteins, as well as proteins that are low in abundance or proteomically challenging, is by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Redox-modified cysteine residues are selectively tagged with a large group, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer, and then the proteins are separated by electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting, which allows the inference of redox changes based on band shifts. However, the applicability of this method has been impaired by the difficulty of cleanly modifying protein thiols by large PEG reagents. To establish a more robust method for redox-selective PEGylation, we have utilised a Click chemistry approach, where free thiol groups are first labelled with a reagent modified to contain an alkyne moiety, which is subsequently Click-reacted with a PEG molecule containing a complementary azide function. This strategy can be adapted to study reversibly reduced or oxidised cysteines. Separation of the thiol labelling step from the PEG conjugation greatly facilitates the fidelity and flexibility of this approach. Here we show how the Click-PEGylation technique can be used to interrogate the redox state of proteins. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  11. Novel Anti-Biofouling Soft Contact Lens: l-Cysteine Conjugated Amphiphilic Conetworks via RAFT and Thiol-Ene Click Chemistry.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Chengfeng; Liu, Ziyuan; Wang, Haiye; Feng, Xiaofeng; He, Chunju

    2017-07-01

    A unique l-cysteine conjugated antifouling amphiphilic conetwork (APCN) is synthesized through end-crosslinking of well-defined triblock copolymers poly(allyl methacrylate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(allyl methacrylate) via a combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and thiol-ene "click" chemistry. The synthesized poly(ethylene glycol) macro-RAFT agent initiates the polymerization of allyl methacrylate in a controlled manner. The vinyl pendant groups of the precursor partially conjugate with l-cysteine and the rest fully crosslink with mercaptopropyl-containing siloxane via thiol-ene click chemistry under UV irradiation into APCNs, which show distinguished properties, that is, excellent biocompatibility, more than 39.6% water content, 101 barrers oxygen permeability, optimized mechanical properties, and more than 93% visible light transmittance. What's more, the resultant APCNs exhibit eminent resistance to protein adsorption, where the bovine serum albumin and lysozyme adsorption are decreased to 12 and 21 µg cm -2 , respectively. The outstanding properties of APCNs depend on the RAFT controlled method, which precisely designs the hydrophilic/hydrophobic segments and eventually greatly improves the crosslinking efficiency and homogeneity. Meantime, the l-cysteine monolayer can effectively reduce the surface hydrophobicity and prevent protein adsorption, which exhibits the viability for antifouling surface over and under ophthalmic devices, suggesting a promising soft contact lens. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Alkylating Agent-Induced NRF2 Blocks Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis via Control of Glutathione Pools and Protein Thiol Homeostasis.

    PubMed

    Zanotto-Filho, Alfeu; Masamsetti, V Pragathi; Loranc, Eva; Tonapi, Sonal S; Gorthi, Aparna; Bernard, Xavier; Gonçalves, Rosângela Mayer; Moreira, José C F; Chen, Yidong; Bishop, Alexander J R

    2016-12-01

    Alkylating agents are a commonly used cytotoxic class of anticancer drugs. Understanding the mechanisms whereby cells respond to these drugs is key to identify means to improve therapy while reducing toxicity. By integrating genome-wide gene expression profiling, protein analysis, and functional cell validation, we herein demonstrated a direct relationship between NRF2 and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress pathways in response to alkylating agents, which is coordinated by the availability of glutathione (GSH) pools. GSH is essential for both drug detoxification and protein thiol homeostasis within the ER, thus inhibiting ER stress induction and promoting survival, an effect independent of its antioxidant role. NRF2 accumulation induced by alkylating agents resulted in increased GSH synthesis via GCLC/GCLM enzyme, and interfering with this NRF2 response by either NRF2 knockdown or GCLC/GCLM inhibition with buthionine sulfoximine caused accumulation of damaged proteins within the ER, leading to PERK-dependent apoptosis. Conversely, upregulation of NRF2, through KEAP1 depletion or NRF2-myc overexpression, or increasing GSH levels with N-acetylcysteine or glutathione-ethyl-ester, decreased ER stress and abrogated alkylating agents-induced cell death. Based on these results, we identified a subset of lung and head-and-neck carcinomas with mutations in either KEAP1 or NRF2/NFE2L2 genes that correlate with NRF2 target overexpression and poor survival. In KEAP1-mutant cancer cells, NRF2 knockdown and GSH depletion increased cell sensitivity via ER stress induction in a mechanism specific to alkylating drugs. Overall, we show that the NRF2-GSH influence on ER homeostasis implicates defects in NRF2-GSH or ER stress machineries as affecting alkylating therapy toxicity. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(12); 3000-14. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

  13. Thiol-yne click reactions on alkynyl-dopamine-modified reduced graphene oxide.

    PubMed

    Kaminska, Izabela; Qi, Wang; Barras, Alexandre; Sobczak, Janusz; Niedziolka-Jonsson, Joanna; Woisel, Patrice; Lyskawa, Joel; Laure, William; Opallo, Marcin; Li, Musen; Boukherroub, Rabah; Szunerits, Sabine

    2013-06-24

    The large-scale preparation of graphene is of great importance due to its potential applications in various fields. We report herein a simple method for the simultaneous exfoliation and reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to reduced GO (rGO) by using alkynyl-terminated dopamine as the reducing agent. The reaction was performed under mild conditions to yield rGO functionalized with the dopamine derivative. The chemical reactivity of the alkynyl function was demonstrated by post-functionalization with two thiolated precursors, namely 6-(ferrocenyl)hexanethiol and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, conductivity measurements, and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the resulting surfaces. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Synthesis of a novel poly-thiolated magnetic nano-platform for heavy metal adsorption. Role of thiol and carboxyl functions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Odio, Oscar F.; Lartundo-Rojas, Luis; Palacios, Elia Guadalupe; Martínez, Ricardo; Reguera, Edilso

    2016-11-01

    We report a novel strategy for the synthesis of magnetic nano-platforms containing free thiol groups. It first involves the synthesis of a poly(acrylic acid) copolymer containing disulfide bridges between the linear chains through di-ester linkages, followed by the anchoring of this new ligand to magnetite nanoparticles using a ligand exchange reaction. Finally, free sbnd SH groups are obtained by treating the resulting disulfide-functionalized magnetic nano-system with tributyl phosphine as reducing agent. The characterization of the resulting 17 nm nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PAA-HEDred) by FTIR and TGA confirms the attachment of the copolymer through iron carboxylates. XRD, TEM and magnetic measurements indicate an increase in the inorganic core diameter and the occurrence of strong magnetic inter-particle interactions during the exchange reaction, although coercitivity and remanence drop to near zero at room temperature. Afterwards, Fe3O4@PAA-HEDred nanoparticles were tested as sorbent for Pb2+ and Cd2+ cations in aqueous media. XPS measurements were performed in order to unravel the role of both carboxyl and thiol functions in the adsorption process. For the sake of comparison, the same study was performed using bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a nanosystem with disulfide groups (Fe3O4@DMSA). The joint analysis of the Pb 4f, Cd 3d, Fe 2p and S 2p high resolution spectra for the nanostructured materials indicates that metal-sulfur interactions are dominant if free sbnd SH groups are present, but if not, the main adsorption route entails metal-carboxyl interactions. Even in presence of unbound thiol moieties, carboxyl groups participate due to favoured steric availability.

  15. Multiplexed Thiol Reactivity Profiling for Target Discovery of Electrophilic Natural Products.

    PubMed

    Tian, Caiping; Sun, Rui; Liu, Keke; Fu, Ling; Liu, Xiaoyu; Zhou, Wanqi; Yang, Yong; Yang, Jing

    2017-11-16

    Electrophilic groups, such as Michael acceptors, expoxides, are common motifs in natural products (NPs). Electrophilic NPs can act through covalent modification of cysteinyl thiols on functional proteins, and exhibit potent cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory/cancer activities. Here we describe a new chemoproteomic strategy, termed multiplexed thiol reactivity profiling (MTRP), and its use in target discovery of electrophilic NPs. We demonstrate the utility of MTRP by identifying cellular targets of gambogic acid, an electrophilic NP that is currently under evaluation in clinical trials as anticancer agent. Moreover, MTRP enables simultaneous comparison of seven structurally diversified α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones, which provides insights into the relative proteomic reactivity and target preference of diverse structural scaffolds coupled to a common electrophilic motif and reveals various potential druggable targets with liganded cysteines. We anticipate that this new method for thiol reactivity profiling in a multiplexed manner will find broad application in redox biology and drug discovery. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Aqueous phase transfer of InP/ZnS nanocrystals conserving fluorescence and high colloidal stability.

    PubMed

    Tamang, Sudarsan; Beaune, Grégory; Texier, Isabelle; Reiss, Peter

    2011-12-27

    Small thiol-containing amino acids such as cysteine are appealing surface ligands for transferring semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) from organic solvents to the aqueous phase. They provide a compact hydrodynamic diameter and low nonspecific binding in biological environment. However, cysteine-capped QDs generally exhibit modest colloidal stability in water and their fluorescence quantum yield (QY) is significantly reduced as compared to organics. We demonstrate that during phase transfer the deprotonation of the thiol group by carefully adjusting the pH is of crucial importance for increasing the binding strength of cysteine to the QD surface. As a result, the colloidal stability of cysteine-capped InP/ZnS core/shell QDs is extended from less than one day to several months. The developed method is of very general character and can be used also with other hydrophilic thiols and various other types of QDs, e.g., CdSe/CdS/ZnS and CuInS(2)/ZnS QDs as well as CdSe and CdSe/CdS nanorods. We show that the observed decrease of QY upon phase transfer with cysteine is related to the generation of cysteine dimer, cystine. This side-reaction implies the formation of disulfide bonds, which efficiently trap photogenerated holes and inhibit radiative recombination. On the other hand, this process is not irreversible. By addition of an appropriate reducing agent, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP), the QY can be partially recovered. When TCEP is already added during the phase transfer, the QY of cysteine-capped InP/ZnS QDs can be maintained almost quantitatively. Finally, we show that penicillamine is a promising alternative to cysteine for the phase transfer of QDs, as it is much less prone to disulfide formation.

  17. Depletion of intracellular GSH and NPSH by buthionine sulfoximine and diethyl maleate: factors that influence enhancement of aerobic radiation response

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

    Varnes, M.E.; Biaglow, J.E.; Roizin-Towle, L.

    1984-08-01

    Many investigators have observed aerobic sensitization of V79, CHO and A549 (human lung carcinoma) cells upon depletion of GSH using buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Recently the authors discovered that this aerobic sensitization can be reversed if WR-2721 or N-acetylcysteine is added to the cells just prior to irradiation. Reversal requires that the exogenous thiols be present during the time of irradiation. One possible explanation was that these thiols entered the cells and either increased the pool of cellular nonprotein thiols or reversed the thiol-depleted state by stimulation of GSH synthesis. Cells treated with BSO do not readily regenerate intracellular GSH becausemore » this agent irreversibly inhibits ..gamma..-glutamyl synthetase. They found that addition of WR-2721 or N-acetylcysteine to BSO-treated cells did not affect the rate of regeneration of intracellular GSH. Thus, reversal of the aerobic sensitization of A549 cells by BSO cannot be explained on the basis of intracellular thiol levels alone, or by rapid reversal of BSO inhibition. In addition, diethylmaleate (DEM)-treated cells are considerably different from BSO-treated cells with respect to the ability to regenerate GSH.« less

  18. Detection of intracellular glutathione using ThiolTracker violet stain and fluorescence microscopy.

    PubMed

    Mandavilli, Bhaskar S; Janes, Michael S

    2010-07-01

    Glutathione plays an important role in protecting mammalian cells from oxidative stress and cell death. Because reduced glutathione (GSH) represents the large majority of intracellular free thiols, cell-permeant, thiol-reactive fluorescent probes represent potentially useful indicators of intracellular GSH. The ThiolTracker Violet stain (a registered trademark of Invitrogen) is a bright fluorescent probe that is highly reactive to thiols and can be used as a convenient and effective indicator of intracellular GSH and general redox status by a variety of detection modalities. While this probe has been validated in flow cytometry and microplate fluorimetry assays, the following method will describe details on the use of the ThiolTracker Violet dye in traditional fluorescence microscopy, as well as high-content imaging and analysis.

  19. Moderate physical exercise induces the oxidation of human blood protein thiols.

    PubMed

    Inayama, Takayo; Oka, Jun; Kashiba, Misato; Saito, Makoto; Higuchi, Mitsuru; Umegaki, Keizo; Yamamoto, Yorihiro; Matsuda, Mitsuo

    2002-03-15

    Exercise is known to induce the oxidation of blood low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols such as reduced glutathione (GSH). We previously reported that full-marathon running induced a decrease in human plasma levels of protein-bound sulfhydryl groups (p-SHs). Moderate exercise, a 30-min running at the intensity of the individual ventilatory threshold, performed by untrained healthy females caused a significant decrease in erythrocyte levels of p-SHs (mostly hemoglobin cysteine residues) and LMW thiols, but their levels returned to each baseline by 2 h. No significant change in plasma LMW thiols was observed. However, plasma levels of p-SHs significantly decreased after running and remained unchanged after 24 h. These results suggest that moderate exercise causes the oxidation of blood thiols, especially protein-bound thiols.

  20. Species-Specific Thiol-Disulfide Equilibrium Constant: A Tool To Characterize Redox Transitions of Biological Importance.

    PubMed

    Mirzahosseini, Arash; Somlyay, Máté; Noszál, Béla

    2015-08-13

    Microscopic redox equilibrium constants, a new species-specific type of physicochemical parameters, were introduced and determined to quantify thiol-disulfide equilibria of biological significance. The thiol-disulfide redox equilibria of glutathione with cysteamine, cysteine, and homocysteine were approached from both sides, and the equilibrium mixtures were analyzed by quantitative NMR methods to characterize the highly composite, co-dependent acid-base and redox equilibria. The directly obtained, pH-dependent, conditional constants were then decomposed by a new evaluation method, resulting in pH-independent, microscopic redox equilibrium constants for the first time. The 80 different, microscopic redox equilibrium constant values show close correlation with the respective thiolate basicities and provide sound means for the development of potent agents against oxidative stress.

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

    Cave, D.A.; Foster, P.M.

    Previous work has shown that m-dinitrobenzene is a testicular toxicant in rats in vivo, and in vitro produces comparable morphological changes in rat testicular Sertoli-germ cell cocultures. m-Dinitrobenzene is metabolized both in vivo and in the in vitro system to m-nitroaniline m-nitroaniline and m-nitroacetanilide. These metabolites do not provoke testicular toxicity in vivo or in vitro. We have therefore proposed a pathway for the metabolism of m-dinitrobenzene to m-nitroaniline and m-nitroacetanilide, which involved the intermediate m-nitrosonitrobenzene (1-nitroso-3-nitrobenzene, NNB). When tested, m-nitrosonitrobenzene, at equimolar doses to m-dinitrobenzene, produced similar morphological changes in the culture system to those exhibited by m-dinitrobenzene. However,more » m-nitrosonitrobenzene produced a greater toxicity than did m-dinitrobenzene (as measured by germ cell detachment). When the intracellular thiol levels were reduced in the cocultures pretreated with diethyl maleate, the toxicity of both m-dinitrobenzene and m-nitrosonitrobenzene was enhanced. In contrast, pretreatment of cocultures with agents known to increase cellular thiol (cysteamine) or scavenge reactive intermediates (cysteamine or ascorbate) reduced the toxicity of m-dinitrobenzene and m-nitrosonitrobenzene. We propose that m-dinitrobenzene requires metabolic activation before it can exert its toxicity to Sertoli cells, and it appears that the toxic species is m-nitrosonitrobenzene or a further metabolite of m-nitrosonitrobenzene.« less

  2. Thiol/disulfide redox states in signaling and sensing

    PubMed Central

    Go, Young-Mi; Jones, Dean P.

    2015-01-01

    Rapid advances in redox systems biology are creating new opportunities to understand complexities of human disease and contributions of environmental exposures. New understanding of thiol-disulfide systems have occurred during the past decade as a consequence of the discoveries that thiol and disulfide systems are maintained in kinetically controlled steady-states displaced from thermodynamic equilibrium, that a widely distributed family of NADPH oxidases produces oxidants that function in cell signaling, and that a family of peroxiredoxins utilize thioredoxin as a reductant to complement the well-studied glutathione antioxidant system for peroxide elimination and redox regulation. This review focuses on thiol/disulfide redox state in biologic systems and the knowledge base available to support development of integrated redox systems biology models to better understand the function and dysfunction of thiol-disulfide redox systems. In particular, central principles have emerged concerning redox compartmentalization and utility of thiol/disulfide redox measures as indicators of physiologic function. Advances in redox proteomics show that, in addition to functioning in protein active sites and cell signaling, cysteine residues also serve as redox sensors to integrate biologic functions. These advances provide a framework for translation of redox systems biology concepts to practical use in understanding and treating human disease. Biological responses to cadmium, a widespread environmental agent, are used to illustrate the utility of these advances to the understanding of complex pleiotropic toxicities. PMID:23356510

  3. Proceedings of the Annual Chemical Defense Bioscience Review (5th) Held at Columbia, Maryland on 29-31 May 1985. Appendix 2

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-06-01

    biocompatible enzyme-like catalyst for the rapid and specific deactivation of sys- temically sorbed nerve agents . We plan to introduce catalytic groups (thiol...mustard, seizures, respiratory failure, atropine, 2-PAM chloride, neurobehavioral effects, nerve agents , soman, cyanide, animal models, chemical casualties...Animal Model ........ .. A-541 Dr. H.L. Williams Effects of Nerve Agents on the Respiratory and e Cardiovascular Systems

  4. Biochemical basis of 4-hydroxyanisole induced cell toxicity towards B16-F0 melanoma cells.

    PubMed

    Moridani, Majid Y

    2006-11-18

    In the current work we investigated for the first time the biochemical basis of 4-hydroxyanisole (4-HA) induced toxicity in B16-F0 melanoma cells. It was found that dicoumarol, a diaphorase inhibitor, and 1-bromoheptane, a GSH depleting agent, increased 4-HA induced toxicity towards B16-F0 cells whereas dithiothreitol, a thiol containing agent, and ascorbic acid (AA), a reducing agent, largely prevented 4-HA toxicity. TEMPOL and pyrogallol, free radical scavengers, did not significantly prevent 4-HA toxicity towards B16-F0 cells. GSH>AA>NADH prevented the o-quinone formation when 4-HA was metabolized by tyrosinase/O(2). 4-HA metabolism by horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) was prevented more effectively by AA than NADH>GSH. We therefore concluded that quinone formation was the major pathway for 4-HA induced toxicity in B16-F0 melanoma cells whereas free radical formation played a negligible role in the 4-HA induced toxicity.

  5. Influence of thiol capping on the photoluminescence properties of L-cysteine-, mercaptoethanol- and mercaptopropionic acid-capped ZnS nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Tiwari, A; Dhoble, S J; Kher, R S

    2015-11-01

    Mercaptoethanol (ME), mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and L-cysteine (L-Cys) having -SH functional groups were used as surface passivating agents for the wet chemical synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles. The effect of the thiol group on the optical and photoluminescence (PL) properties of ZnS nanoparticles was studied. L-Cysteine-capped ZnS nanoparticles showed the highest PL intensity among the studied capping agents, with a PL emission peak at 455 nm. The PL intensity was found to be dependent on the concentration of Zn(2+) and S(2-) precursors. The effect of buffer on the PL intensity of L-Cys-capped ZnS nanoparticles was also studied. UV/Vis spectra showed blue shifting of the absorption edge. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  6. Photoreduction of Hg(II) and photodemethylation of methylmercury: the key role of thiol sites on dissolved organic matter

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Jeremiason, Jeffrey D.; Portner, Joshua C.; Aiken, George R.; Hiranaka, Amber J.; Dvorak, Michelle T.; Tran, Khuyen T.; Latch, Douglas E.

    2015-01-01

    This study examined the kinetics of photoreduction of Hg(II) and photodemethylation of methylmercury (MeHg+) attached to, or in the presence of, dissolved organic matter (DOM). Both Hg(II) and MeHg+ are principally bound to reduced sulfur groups associated with DOM in many freshwater systems. We propose that a direct photolysis mechanism is plausible for reduction of Hg(II) bound to reduced sulfur groups on DOM while an indirect mechanism is supported for photodemethylation of MeHg+ bound to DOM. UV spectra of Hg(II) and MeHg+ bound to thiol containing molecules demonstrate that the Hg(II)–S bond is capable of absorbing UV-light in the solar spectrum to a much greater extent than MeHg+–S bonds. Experiments with chemically distinct DOM isolates suggest that concentration of DOM matters little in the photochemistry if there are enough reduced S sites present to strongly bind MeHg+ and Hg(II); DOM concentration does not play a prominent role in photodemethylation other than to screen light, which was demonstrated in a field experiment in the highly colored St. Louis River where photodemethylation was not observed at depths ≥10 cm. Experiments with thiol ligands yielded slower photodegradation rates for MeHg+ than in experiments with DOM and thiols; rates in the presence of DOM alone were the fastest supporting an intra-DOM mechanism. Hg(II) photoreduction rates, however, were similar in experiments with only DOM, thiols plus DOM, or only thiols suggesting a direct photolysis mechanism. Quenching experiments also support the existence of an intra-DOM photodemethylation mechanism for MeHg+. Utilizing the difference in photodemethylation rates measured for MeHg+ attached to DOM or thiol ligands, the binding constant for MeHg+ attached to thiol groups on DOM was estimated to be 1016.7.

  7. Selective chloroform sensor using thiol functionalized reduced graphene oxide at room temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Midya, Anupam; Mukherjee, Subhrajit; Roy, Shreyasee; Santra, Sumita; Manna, Nilotpal; Ray, Samit K.

    2018-02-01

    This paper presents a highly selective chloroform sensor using functionalised reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as a sensing layer. Thiol group is covalently attached on the basal plan of RGO film by a simple one-step aryl diazonium chemistry to improve its selectivity. Several spectroscopic techniques like X-ray photoelectron, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirm successful thiol functionalization of RGO. Finally, the fabricated chemiresistor type sensor is exposed to chloroform in the concentration range 200-800 ppm (parts per million). The sensor shows a 4.3% of response towards 800 ppm chloroform. The selectivity of the sensor is analyzed using various volatile organic compounds as well. The devices show enhanced response and faster recovery attributed to the physiosorption of chloroform onto thiol functionalized graphene making them attractive for 2D materials based sensing applications.

  8. Thiol/disulfide status regulates the activity of thiol-containing kinases related to energy homeostasis in rat kidney.

    PubMed

    Rech, Virginia C; Mezzomo, Nathana J; Athaydes, Genaro A; Feksa, Luciane R; Figueiredo, Vandré C; Kessler, Adriana; Franceschi, Itiane D DE; Wannmacher, Clovis M D

    2018-01-01

    Considering that thiol-containing enzymes like kinases are critical for several metabolic pathways and energy homeostasis, we investigated the effects of cystine dimethyl ester and/or cysteamine administration on kinases crucial for energy metabolism in the kidney of Wistar rats. Animals were injected twice a day with 1.6 µmol/g body weight cystine dimethyl ester and/or 0.26 µmol/g body weight cysteamine from the 16th to the 20th postpartum day and euthanized after 12 hours. Pyruvate kinase, adenylate kinase, creatine kinase activities and thiol/disulfide ratio were determined. Cystine dimethyl ester administration reduced thiol/disulfide ratio and inhibited the kinases activities. Cysteamine administration increased the thiol/disulfide ratio and co-administration with cystine dimethyl ester prevented the inhibition of the enzymes. Regression between the thiol/disulfide ratio, and the kinases activities were significant. These results suggest that redox status may regulate energy metabolism in the rat kidney. If thiol-containing enzymes inhibition and oxidative stress occur in patients with cystinosis, it is possible that lysosomal cystine depletion may not be the only beneficial effect of cysteamine administration, but also its antioxidant and thiol-protector effect.

  9. Dephosphorylation of receptor tyrosine kinases as target of regulation by radiation, oxidants or alkylating agents.

    PubMed Central

    Knebel, A; Rahmsdorf, H J; Ullrich, A; Herrlich, P

    1996-01-01

    Several non-physiologic agents such as radiation, oxidants and alkylating agents induce ligand-independent activation of numerous receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and of protein tyrosine kinases at the inner side of the plasma membrane (e.g. Dévary et al., 1992; Sachsenmaier et al., 1994; Schieven et al., 1994; Coffer et al., 1995). Here we show additional evidence for the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and we show activation of v-ErbB, ErbB2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. As a common principle of action the inducing agents such as UVC, UVB, UVA, hydrogen peroxide and iodoacetamide inhibit receptor tyrosine dephosphorylation in a thiol-sensitive and, with the exception of the SH-alkylating agent, reversible manner. EGFR dephosphorylation can also be modulated by these non-physiologic agents in isolated plasma membranes in the presence of Triton X-100. Further, substrate (EGFR) and phosphatase have been separated: a membrane preparation of cells that have been treated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and whose dephosphorylating enzymes have been permanently destroyed by iodoacetamide can be mixed with a membrane preparation from untreated cells which re-establishes EGFR dephosphorylation. This dephosphorylation can be modulated in vitro by UV and thiol agents. We conclude that RTKs exhibit significant spontaneous protein kinase activity; several adverse agents target (an) essential SH-group(s) carried by (a) membrane-bound protein tyrosine phosphatase(s). Images PMID:8895576

  10. High-Yield Synthesis and Applications of Anisotropic Gold Nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vigderman, Leonid

    This work will describe research directed towards the synthesis of anisotropic gold nanoparticles as well as their functionalization and biological applications. The thesis will begin by describing a new technique for the high-yield synthesis of gold nanorods using hydroquinone as a reducing agent. This addresses important limitations of the traditional nanorod synthesis including low yield of gold ions conversion to metallic form and inability to produce rods with longitudinal surface plasmon peak above 850 nm. The use of hydroquinone was also found to improve the synthesis of gold nanowires via the nanorod-seed mediated procedure developed in our lab. The thesis will next present the synthesis of novel starfruitshaped nanorods, mesorods, and nanowires using a modified nanorod-seed mediated procedure. The starfruit particles displayed increased activity as surfaceenhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates as compared to smooth structures. Next, a method for the functionalization of gold nanorods using a cationic thiol, 16-mercaptohexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (MTAB), will be described. By using this thiol, we were able to demonstrate the complete removal of toxic surfactant from the nanorods and were also able to precisely quantify the grafting density of thiol molecules on the nanorod surface through a combination of several analytical techniques. Finally, this thesis will show that MTABfunctionalized nanorods are nontoxic and can be taken up in extremely high numbers into cancer cells. The thesis will conclude by describing the surprising uptake of larger mesorods and nanowires functionalized with MTAB into cells in high quantities.

  11. Modulation of oxidative damage by nitroxide free radicals.

    PubMed

    Dragutan, Ileana; Mehlhorn, Rolf J

    2007-03-01

    Piperidine nitroxides like 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) are persistent free radicals in non-acidic aqueous solutions and organic solvents that may have value as therapeutic agents in medicine. In biological environments, they undergo mostly reduction to stable hydroxylamines but can also undergo oxidation to reactive oxoammonium compounds. Reactions of the oxoammonium derivatives could have adverse consequences including chemical modification of vital macromolecules and deleterious effects on cell signaling. An examination of their reactivity in aqueous solution has shown that oxoammonium compounds can oxidize almost any organic as well as many inorganic molecules found in biological systems. Many of these reactions appear to be one-electron transfers that reduce the oxoammonium to the corresponding nitroxide species, in contrast to a prevalence of two-electron reductions of oxoammonium in organic solvents. Amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, phospholipids, hydrogen peroxide, other nitroxides, hydroxylamines, phenols and certain transition metal ions and their complexes are among reductants of oxoammonium, causing conversion of this species to the paramagnetic nitroxide. On the other hand, thiols and oxoammonium yield products that cannot be detected by ESR even under conditions that would oxidize hydroxylamines to nitroxides. These products may include hindered secondary amines, sulfoxamides and sulfonamides. Thiol oxidation products other than disulfides cannot be restored to thiols by common enzymatic reduction pathways. Such products may also play a role in cell signaling events related to oxidative stress. Adverse consequences of the reactions of oxoammonium compounds may partially offset the putative beneficial effects of nitroxides in some therapeutic settings.

  12. Tumor Xenograft Response to Redox-Active Therapies Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Thiol-Bearing DOTA Complex of Gadolinium1

    PubMed Central

    Guntle, Gerald P; Jagadish, Bhumasamudram; Mash, Eugene A; Powis, Garth; Dorr, Robert T; Raghunand, Natarajan

    2012-01-01

    Gd-LC6-SH is a thiol-bearing DOTA complex of gadolinium designed to bind plasma albumin at the conserved Cys34 site. The binding of Gd-LC6-SH shows sensitivity to the presence of competing thiols. We hypothesized that Gd-LC6-SH could provide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement that is sensitive to tumor redox state and that the prolonged retention of albumin-bound Gd-LC6-SH in vivo can be exploited to identify a saturating dose above which the shortening of MRI longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of tissue is insensitive to the injected gadolinium dose. In the Mia-PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor xenograft model in SCID mice, both the small-molecule Gd-DTPA-BMA and the macromolecule Galbumin MRI contrast agents produced dose-dependent decreases in tumor T1. By contrast, the decreases in tumor T1 provided by Gd-LC6-SH at 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/kg were not significantly different at longer times after injection. SCID mice bearing Mia-PaCa-2 or NCI-N87 tumor xenografts were treated with either the glutathione synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine or the thiol-oxidizing anticancer drug Imexon, respectively. In both models, there was a significantly greater increase in tumor R1 (=1/T1) 60 minutes after injection of Gd-LC6-SH in drug-treated animals relative to saline-treated controls. In addition, Mercury Orange staining for nonprotein sulfhydryls was significantly decreased by drug treatment relative to controls in both tumor models. In summary, these studies show that thiol-bearing complexes of gadolinium such as Gd-LC6-SH can serve as redox-sensitive MRI contrast agents for detecting differences in tumor redox status and can be used to evaluate the effects of redox-active drugs. PMID:22741038

  13. Bisphosphonate-decorated lipid nanoparticles designed as drug carriers for bone diseases.

    PubMed

    Wang, Guilin; Mostafa, Nesrine Z; Incani, Vanessa; Kucharski, Cezary; Uludağ, Hasan

    2012-03-01

    A conjugate of distearoylphosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol with 2-(3-mercaptopropylsulfanyl)-ethyl-1,1-bisphosphonic acid (thiolBP) was synthesized and incorporated into micelles and liposomes to create mineral-binding nanocarriers for therapeutic agents. The micelles and liposomes were used to encapsulate the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and a model protein lysozyme (LYZ) by using lipid film hydration (LFH) and reverse-phase evaporation vesicle (REV) methods. The results indicated that the micelles and LFH-derived liposomes were better at DOX loading than the REV-derived liposomes, while the REV method was preferable for encapsulating LYZ. The affinity of the micellar and liposomal formulations to hydroxyapatite (HA) was assessed in vitro, and the results indicated that all the thiolBP-incorporated nanocarriers had stronger HA affinity than their counterparts without thiolBP. The thiolBP-decorated liposomes also displayed a strong binding to a collagen/HA composite scaffold in vitro. More importantly, thiolBP-decorated liposomes gave increased retention in the collagen/HA scaffolds after subcutaneously implantation in rats. The designed liposomes were able to entrap the bone morphogenetic protein-2 in a bioactive form, indicating that the proposed nanocarriers could deliver bioactive factors locally in mineralized scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Reaction Mechanisms of Metals with Hydrogen Sulfide and Thiols in Model Wine. Part 2: Iron- and Copper-Catalyzed Oxidation.

    PubMed

    Kreitman, Gal Y; Danilewicz, John C; Jeffery, David W; Elias, Ryan J

    2016-05-25

    Sulfidic off-odors arising during wine production are frequently removed by Cu(II) fining. In part 1 of this study ( 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b00641 ), the reaction of H2S and thiols with Cu(II) was examined; however, the interaction of iron and copper is also known to play an important synergistic role in mediating non-enzymatic wine oxidation. The interaction of these two metals in the oxidation of H2S and thiols (cysteine, 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, and 6-sulfanylhexan-1-ol) was therefore examined under wine-like conditions. H2S and thiols (300 μM) were reacted with Fe(III) (100 or 200 μM) alone and in combination with Cu(II) (25 or 50 μM), and concentrations of H2S and thiols, oxygen, and acetaldehyde were monitored over time. H2S and thiols were shown to be slowly oxidized in the presence of Fe(III) alone and were not bound to Fe(III) under model wine conditions. However, Cu(II) added to model wine containing Fe(III) was quickly reduced by H2S and thiols to form Cu(I) complexes, which then rapidly reduced Fe(III) to Fe(II). Oxidation of Fe(II) in the presence of oxygen regenerated Fe(III) and completed the iron redox cycle. In addition, sulfur-derived oxidation products were observed, and the formation of organic polysulfanes was demonstrated.

  15. Promoting Thiol Expression Increases The Durability of Antitumor T cell Functions

    PubMed Central

    Scurti, Gina; Thyagarajan, Krishnamurthy; Kaur, Navtej; Husain, Shahid; Fang, Quan; Naga, Osama S.; Simms, Patricia; Beeson, Gyda; Voelkel-Johnson, Christina; Garrett-Mayer, Elizabeth; Beeson, Craig C.; Nishimura, Michael I.; Mehrotra, Shikhar

    2014-01-01

    Ex vivo-expanded CD8+ T cells used for adoptive immunotherapy generally acquire an effector memory-like phenotype (TEM cells). With regard to therapeutic applications, two undesired features of this phenotype in vivo are limited persistence and reduced anti-tumor efficacy, relative to CD8+ T cells with a central memory-like phenotype (TCM cells). Further, there is incomplete knowledge about all the differences between TEM and TCM cells that may influence tumor treatment outcomes. Given that TCM cells survive relatively longer in oxidative tumor microenvironments, we investigated the hypothesis that TCM possess relatively greater anti-oxidative capacity than TEM cells. Here we report that TCM cells exhibit a relative increase compared to TEM cells in expression of cell surface thiols, a key target of cellular redox controls, along with other antioxidant molecules. Increased expression of redox regulators in TCM cells inversely correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, proliferative capacity and glycolytic enzyme levels. Notably, TCR-transduced T cells pretreated with thiol donors, such as N-acetyl cysteine or rapamycin, up-regulated thiol levels and antioxidant genes. A comparison of anti-tumor CD8+ T cell populations on the basis of surface thiol expression showed that thiol-high cells persisted longer in vivo and exerted superior tumor control. Our results suggest that higher levels of reduced cell surface thiols are a key characteristic of T cells that can control tumor growth, and that profiling this biomarker may have benefits to T cell adoptive immunotherapy protocols. PMID:25164014

  16. Mechanism of covalent modification of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase at its active site thiol by nitric oxide, peroxynitrite and related nitrosating agents.

    PubMed

    Mohr, S; Stamler, J S; Brüne, B

    1994-07-18

    Previous studies have suggested that glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) undergoes covalent modification of an active site thiol by a NO.-induced [32P]NAD(+)-dependent mechanism. However, the efficacy of GAPDH modification induced by various NO donors was found to be independent of spontaneous rates of NO. release. To further test the validity of this mechanism, we studied the effects of nitrosonium tertrafluoroborate (BF4NO), a strong NO+ donor. BF4NO potently induces GAPDH labeling by the radioactive nucleotide. In this case, the addition of thiol significantly attenuates enzyme modification by competing for the NO moiety in the formation of RS-NO. Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) also induces GAPDH modification in the presence of thiol, consistent with the notion that this species can transfer NO+ (or NO2+) through the intermediacy of RS-NO. However, the efficiency of this reaction is limited by ONOO- -induced oxidation of protein SH groups at the active site. ONOO- generation appears to account for the modification of GAPDH by SIN-1. Thus, S-nitrosylation of the active site thiol is a prequisite for subsequent post-translational modification with NAD+, and emphasizes the role of NO+ transfer in the initial step of this pathway. Our findings thus provide a uniform mechanism by which nitric oxide and related NO donors initiate non-enzymatic ADP-ribosylation (like) reactions. In biological systems, endogenous RS-NO are likely to support the NO group transfer to thiol-containing proteins.

  17. Changes in Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis of the Body to Surgical Trauma in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients.

    PubMed

    Polat, Murat; Ozcan, Onder; Sahan, Leyla; Üstündag-Budak, Yasemin; Alisik, Murat; Yilmaz, Nigar; Erel, Özcan

    2016-12-01

    We aimed to investigate the short-term effect of laparoscopic surgery on serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis levels as a marker of oxidant stress of surgical trauma in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Venous blood samples were collected, and levels of native thiols, total thiols, and disulfides were determined with a novel automated assay. Total antioxidant capacity (measured as the ferric-reducing ability of plasma) and serum ischemia modified albumin, expressed as absorbance units assayed by the albumin cobalt binding test, were determined. The major findings of the present study were that native thiol (283 ± 45 versus 241 ± 61 μmol/L), total thiol (313 ± 49 versus 263 ± 67 μmol/L), and disulfide (14.9 ± 4.6 versus 11.0 ± 6.1 μmol/L) levels were decreased significantly during operation and although they increased, they did not return to preoperation levels 24 hours after laparoscopic surgery compared to the levels at baseline. Disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol levels did not change during laparoscopic surgery. The decrease in plasma level of native and total thiol groups suggests impairment of the antioxidant capacity of plasma; however, the delicate balance between the different redox forms of thiols was maintained during surgery.

  18. Cage-like bifunctional chelators, copper-64 radiopharmaceuticals and PET imaging using the same

    DOEpatents

    Conti, Peter S.; Cai, Hancheng; Li, Zibo; Liu, Shuanglong

    2016-08-02

    Disclosed is a class of versatile Sarcophagine based bifunctional chelators (BFCs) containing a hexa-aza cage for labeling with metals having either imaging, therapeutic or contrast applications radiolabeling and one or more linkers (A) and (B). The compounds have the general formula ##STR00001## where A is a functional group selected from group consisting of an amine, a carboxylic acid, an ester, a carbonyl, a thiol, an azide and an alkene, and B is a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and ester, a carbonyl, a thiol, an azide and an alkene. Also disclosed are conjugate of the BFC and a targeting moiety, which may be a peptide or antibody. Also disclosed are metal complexes of the BFC/targeting moiety conjugates that are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, imaging agents or contrast agents.

  19. Inhibition of Carbamyl Phosphate Synthetase-I and Glutamine Synthetase by Hepatotoxic Doses of Acetaminophen in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Gupta, Sanjiv; Rogers, Lynette K.; Taylor, Sarah K.; Smith, Charles V.

    2016-01-01

    The primary mechanisms proposed for acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis should deplete protein thiols, either by covalent binding and thioether formation or by oxidative reactions such as S-thiolations. However, in previous studies we did not detect significant losses of protein thiol contents in response to administration of hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen in vivo. In the present study we employed derivatization with the thiol-specific agent monobromobimane and separation of proteins by SDS–PAGE to investigate the possible loss of specific protein thiols during the course of acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis. Fasted adult male mice were given acetaminophen, and protein thiol status was examined subsequently in subcellular fractions isolated by differential centrifugation. No decreases in protein thiol contents were indicated, with the exception of a marked decrease in the fluorescent intensity, but not of protein content, as indicated by staining with Coomassie blue, of a single band of approximately 130 kDa in the mitochondrial fractions of acetaminophen-treated mice. This protein was identified by isolation and N-terminal sequence analysis as carbamyl phosphate synthetase-I (CPS-I) (EC 6.3.4.16). Hepatic CPS-I activities were decreased in mice given hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen. In addition, hepatic glutamine synthetase activities were lower, and plasma ammonia levels were elevated in mice given hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen. The observed hyperammonemia may contribute to the adverse effects of toxic doses of acetaminophen, and elucidation of the specific mechanisms responsible for the hyperammonemia may prove to be useful clinically. However, the preferential depletion of protein thiol content of a mitochondrial protein by chemically reactive metabolites generated in the endoplasmic reticulum presents a challenging and potentially informative mechanistic question. PMID:9344900

  20. Green tea extract impairs meat emulsion properties by disturbing protein disulfide cross-linking.

    PubMed

    Jongberg, Sisse; Terkelsen, Linda de S; Miklos, Rikke; Lund, Marianne N

    2015-02-01

    The dose-dependent effects of green tea extract (100, 500, or 1500ppm) on the textural and oxidative stability of meat emulsions were investigated, and compared to a control meat emulsion without extract. All levels of green tea extract inhibited formation of TBARS as a measure for lipid oxidation. Overall protein thiol oxidation and myosin heavy chain (MHC) cross-linking were inhibited by 100ppm green tea extract without jeopardizing the textural stability, while increasing concentrations of extract resulted in reduced thiol concentration and elevated levels of non-reducible protein modifications. Addition of 1500ppm green tea extract was found to modify MHC as evaluated by SDS-PAGE combining both protein staining and specific thiol staining, indicating that protein modifications generated through reactions of green tea phenolic compounds with protein thiols, disrupted the meat emulsion properties leading to reduced water holding capacity and textural stability. Hence, a low dose of green tea extract preserves both the textural and the oxidative stability of the meat proteins. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Method of making gold thiolate and photochemically functionalized microcantilevers

    DOEpatents

    Boiadjiev, Vassil I [Knoxville, TN; Brown, Gilbert M [Knoxville, TN; Pinnaduwage, Lal A [Knoxville, TN; Thundat, Thomas G [Knoxville, TN; Bonnesen, Peter V [Knoxville, TN; Goretzki, Gudrun [Nottingham, GB

    2009-08-25

    Highly sensitive sensor platforms for the detection of specific reagents, such as chromate, gasoline and biological species, using microcantilevers and other microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) whose surfaces have been modified with photochemically attached organic monolayers, such as self-assembled monolayers (SAM), or gold-thiol surface linkage are taught. The microcantilever sensors use photochemical hydrosilylation to modify silicon surfaces and gold-thiol chemistry to modify metallic surfaces thereby enabling individual microcantilevers in multicantilever array chips to be modified separately. Terminal vinyl substituted hydrocarbons with a variety of molecular recognition sites can be attached to the surface of silicon via the photochemical hydrosilylation process. By focusing the activating UV light sequentially on selected silicon or silicon nitride hydrogen terminated surfaces and soaking or spotting selected metallic surfaces with organic thiols, sulfides, or disulfides, the microcantilevers are functionalized. The device and photochemical method are intended to be integrated into systems for detecting specific agents including chromate groundwater contamination, gasoline, and biological species.

  2. In vitro screening of 50 highly prescribed drugs for thiol adduct formation--comparison of potential for drug-induced toxicity and extent of adduct formation.

    PubMed

    Gan, Jinping; Ruan, Qian; He, Bing; Zhu, Mingshe; Shyu, Wen C; Humphreys, W Griffith

    2009-04-01

    Reactive metabolite formation has been associated with drug-induced liver, skin, and hematopoietic toxicity of many drugs that has resulted in serious clinical toxicity, leading to clinical development failure, black box warnings, or, in some cases, withdrawal from the market. In vitro and in vivo screening for reactive metabolite formation has been proposed and widely adopted in the pharmaceutical industry with the aim of minimizing the property and thus the risk of drug-induced toxicity (DIT). One of the most common screening methods is in vitro thiol trapping of reactive metabolites. Although it is well-documented that many hepatotoxins form thiol adducts, there is no literature describing the adduct formation potential of safer drugs that are widely used. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the thiol adduct formation potential of 50 drugs (10 associated with DIT and 40 not associated) and document apparent differences in adduct formation between toxic and safer drugs. Dansyl glutathione was used as a trapping agent to aid the quantitation of adducts following in vitro incubation of drugs with human liver microsomes in the presence and absence of NADPH. Metabolic turnover of these drugs was also monitored by LC/UV. Overall, 15 out of the 50 drugs screened formed detectable levels of thiol adducts. There were general trends toward more positive findings in the DIT group vs the non-DIT group. These trends became more marked when the relative amount of thiol adducts was taken into account and improved further when dose and total daily reactive metabolite burdens were considered. In conclusion, there appears to be a general trend between the extent of thiol adduct formation and the potential for DIT, which would support the preclinical measurement and minimization of the property through screening of thiol adduct formation as part of an overall discovery optimization paradigm.

  3. Reducing Agent-Assisted Excessive Galvanic Replacement Mediated Seed-Mediated Synthesis of Porous Gold Nanoplates and Highly Efficient Gene-Thermo Cancer Therapy.

    PubMed

    Kang, Seounghun; Kang, Kyunglee; Huh, Hyun; Kim, Hyungjun; Chang, Sung-Jin; Park, Tae Jung; Chang, Ki Soo; Min, Dal-Hee; Jang, Hongje

    2017-10-11

    Porous Au nanoplates (pAuNPs) were manufactured by a reducing agent-assisted galvanic replacement reaction on Ag nanoplates using a seed-mediated synthetic approach. Two core additives, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and l-ascorbic acid, prevented fragmentation and proceeded secondary growth. By controlling the concentration of the additives and the amount of replacing ion AuCl 4 - , various nanostructures including nanoplates with holes, nanoframes, porous nanoplates, and bumpy nanoparticles with unity and homogeneity were synthesized. The present synthetic method is advantageous, because it can be used to manufacture pAuNPs with ease, robustness, and convenience. The prepared pAuNPs exhibited a highly efficient photothermal conversion effect and cargo loading capacity on exposed surfaces by Au-thiol linkage. By using dual cargo mixed loading of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) targeting gene drug DNAzyme and cell-penetrating peptide TAT onto the surface of the pAuNPs and photothermal conversion-mediated hyperthermic treatment, successful gene-thermo therapy against HCV genomic human hepatocarcinoma cells were demonstrated.

  4. Modulation of m-dinitrobenzene and m-nitrosonitrobenzene toxicity in rat Sertoli--germ cell cocultures.

    PubMed

    Cave, D A; Foster, P M

    1990-01-01

    Previous work has shown that m-dinitrobenzene is a testicular toxicant in rats in vivo, and in vitro produces comparable morphological changes in rat testicular Sertoli-germ cell cocultures. m-Dinitrobenzene is metabolized both in vivo and in the in vitro system to m-nitroaniline m-nitroaniline and m-nitroacetanilide. These metabolites do not provoke testicular toxicity in vivo or in vitro. We have therefore proposed a pathway for the metabolism of m-dinitrobenzene to m-nitroaniline and m-nitroacetanilide, which involved the intermediate m-nitrosonitrobenzene (1-nitroso-3-nitrobenzene, NNB). When tested, m-nitrosonitrobenzene, at equimolar doses to m-dinitrobenzene, produced similar morphological changes in the culture system to those exhibited by m-dinitrobenzene. However, m-nitrosonitrobenzene produced a greater toxicity than did m-dinitrobenzene (as measured by germ cell detachment). When the intracellular thiol levels were reduced in the cocultures pretreated with diethyl maleate, the toxicity of both m-dinitrobenzene and m-nitrosonitrobenzene was enhanced. In contrast, pretreatment of cocultures with agents known to increase cellular thiol (cysteamine) or scavenge reactive intermediates (cysteamine or ascorbate) reduced the toxicity of m-dinitrobenzene and m-nitrosonitrobenzene. We propose that m-dinitrobenzene requires metabolic activation before it can exert its toxicity to Sertoli cells, and it appears that the toxic species is m-nitrosonitrobenzene or a further metabolite of m-nitrosonitrobenzene.

  5. Using the M13 Phage as a Biotemplate to Create Mesoporous Structures Decorated with Gold and Platinum Nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Vera-Robles, L Irais; González-Gracida, Jaqueline; Hernández-Gordillo, Armin; Campero, Antonio

    2015-08-25

    By taking advantage of the physical and chemical properties of the M13 bacteriophage, we have used this virus to synthesize mesoporous silica structures. Major coat protein p8 was chemically modified by attaching thiol groups. As we show, the resulting thiolated phage can be used as a biotemplate able to direct the formation of mesoporous silica materials. Simultaneously, this thiol functionality acts as an anchor for binding metal ions, such as Au(3+) and Pt(4+), forming reactive M13-metal ionic complexes which evolve into metal nanoparticles (NPs) trapped in the mesoporous network. Interestingly, Au(3+) ions are reduced to Au(0) NPs by the protein residues without requiring an external reducing agent. Likewise, silica mesostructures decorated with Au and Pt NPs are prepared in a one-pot synthesis and characterized using different techniques. The obtained results allow us to propose a mechanism of formation. In addition, gold-containing mesoporous structures are tested for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and methylene blue (MB) in the presence of NaBH4. Although all of the gold-containing catalysts exhibit catalytic activity, those obtained with thiolated phages present a better performance than that obtained with M13 alone. This behavior is ascribed to the position of the Au NPs, which are partially embedded in the wall of the final mesostructures.

  6. Study of Highly Selective and Efficient Thiol Derivatization using Selenium Reagents by Mass Spectrometry

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

    Xu, Kehua; Zhang, Yun W.; Tang, Bo

    2010-08-15

    Biological thiols are critical physiological components and their detection often involves derivatization. This paper reports a systemic mass spectrometry (MS) investigation of the cleavage of Se-N bond by thiol to form a new Se-S bond, the new selenium chemistry for thiol labeling. Our data shows that the reaction is highly selective, rapid, reversible and efficient. For instance, among twenty amino acids, only cysteine was found to be reactive with Se-N containing reagents and the reaction takes place in seconds. By adding dithiothreitol (DTT), the newly formed Se-S bond of peptides/proteins can be reduced back to free thiol. The high selectivitymore » and excellent reversibility of the reaction provide potential of using this chemistry for selective identification of thiol compounds or enriching and purifying thiol peptides/proteins. In addition, the derivatized thiol peptides have interesting dissociation behavior, which is tunable using different selenium reagents. For example, by introducing an adjacent nucleophilic group into the selenium reagent in the case of using ebselen, the reaction product of ebselen with glutathione (GSH) is easy to lose the selenium tag upon collision-induced dissociation (CID), which is useful to "fish out" those peptides containing free cysteine residues by precursor ion scan. By contrast, the selenium tag of N-(phenylseleno) phthalimide reagent can be stable and survive in CID process, which would be of value in pinpointing thiol location using a top-down proteomic approach. Also, the high conversion yield of the reaction allows the counting of total number of thiol in proteins. We believe that ebselen or N-(phenylseleno) phthalimide as tagging thiol-protein reagents will have important applications in both qualitative and quantitative analysis of different thiol-proteins derived from living cells by MS method.« less

  7. Characterization of flagellar cysteine-rich sperm proteins involved in motility, by the combination of cellular fractionation, fluorescence detection, and mass spectrometry analysis.

    PubMed

    Cabrillana, María E; Monclus, María A; Sáez Lancellotti, Tania E; Boarelli, Paola V; Clementi, Marisa A; Vincenti, Amanda E; Yunes, Roberto F M; Fornés, Miguel W

    2011-09-01

    Mammalian sperm proteins undergo thiol group (SH) oxidation to form disulfides bonds (SS) as they travel through the epididymis during cell maturation. Disulfide bonds are involved in chromatin condensation and tail organelle stabilization. In this work, we used a fluorescent thiol-selective labeling agent, monobromobimane (mBBr), to study the protein thiol status of rat sperm during maturation. Fluorescence signal decrease along the epididymal trip, more evidently in the head, but also in the tail, indicates that both sub cellular regions participate in the thiol changes. The sources of the fluorescence signal are sulfhydryls sperm proteins labeled by mBBr (mBBr-spp). Initial attempts to identify the mBBr-spp labeled were detected in the initial-caput, but not in the distal cauda-segment of the epididymis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE analysis. This phenomenon could be due to protein resistance to solubilization. For this reason, disulfide bond reduction was accomplished by sodium dodecyl sulfate plus dithiothreitol treatment to recover the mBBr signal in SDS-PAGE. Under this protocol, a major 27 kDa protein band displays a strong signal. Protein identification by mass spectrometry and sequence database searching correlated this protein with the outer dense fiber 1 (ODF1). The mBBr specifically bound to N-terminal domain cysteine of ODF1. The mBBr reduces rat sperm motility, quantitatively and qualitatively, and the effects are dose dependent, without significantly increasing the percentage of dead sperm. Thus, we found that ODF1 is highly responsible for mBBr fluorescence detection in the sperm tail, and the motility inhibition by the fluorescence marker indicates that ODF1 N-terminal domain are related to sperm motility. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  8. Thiol-ene immobilisation of carbohydrates onto glass slides as a simple alternative to gold-thiol monolayers, amines or lipid binding.

    PubMed

    Biggs, Caroline I; Edmondson, Steve; Gibson, Matthew I

    2015-01-01

    Carbohydrate arrays are a vital tool in studying infection, probing the mechanisms of bacterial, viral and toxin adhesion and the development of new treatments, by mimicking the structure of the glycocalyx. Current methods rely on the formation of monolayers of carbohydrates that have been chemically modified with a linker to enable interaction with a functionalised surface. This includes amines, biotin, lipids or thiols. Thiol-addition to gold to form self-assembled monolayers is perhaps the simplest method for immobilisation as thiolated glycans are readily accessible from reducing carbohydrates in a single step, but are limited to gold surfaces. Here we have developed a quick and versatile methodology which enables the use of thiolated carbohydrates to be immobilised as monolayers directly onto acrylate-functional glass slides via a 'thiol-ene'/Michael-type reaction. By combining the ease of thiol chemistry with glass slides, which are compatible with microarray scanners this offers a cost effective, but also useful method to assemble arrays.

  9. Modifying surface resistivity and liquid moisture management property of keratin fibers through thiol-ene click reactions.

    PubMed

    Yu, Dan; Cai, Jackie Y; Church, Jeffrey S; Wang, Lijing

    2014-01-22

    This paper reports on a new method for improving the antistatic and liquid moisture management properties of keratinous materials. The method involves the generation of thiols by controlled reduction of cystine disulfide bonds in keratin with tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride and subsequent grafting of hydrophilic groups onto the reduced keratin by reaction with an acrylate sulfonate or acrylamide sulfonate through thiol-ene click chemistry. The modified substrates were characterized with Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and evaluated for their performance changes in liquid moisture management, surface resistivity, and wet burst strength. The results have revealed that the thiol-acrylate reaction is more efficient than the thiol-acrylamide reaction, and the keratinous substrate modified with an acrylate sulfonate salt exhibits significantly improved antistatic and liquid moisture management properties.

  10. Adsorption kinetics of alkanethiol-capped gold nanoparticles at the hexane-water interface

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferdous, Sultana; Ioannidis, Marios A.; Henneke, Dale

    2011-12-01

    The pendant drop technique was used to characterize the adsorption behavior of n-dodecane-1-thiol and n-hexane-1-thiol-capped gold nanoparticles at the hexane-water interface. The adsorption process was studied by analyzing the dynamic interfacial tension versus nanoparticle concentration, both at early times and at later stages (i.e., immediately after the interface between the fluids is made and once equilibrium has been established). A series of gold colloids were made using nanoparticles ranging in size from 1.60 to 2.85 nm dissolved in hexane for the interfacial tension analysis. Following free diffusion of nanoparticles from the bulk hexane phase, adsorption leads to ordering and rearrangement of the nanoparticles at the interface and formation of a dense monolayer. With increasing interfacial coverage, the diffusion-controlled adsorption for the nanoparticles at the interface was found to change to an interaction-controlled assembly and the presence of an adsorption barrier was experimentally verified. At the same bulk concentration, different sizes of n-dodecane-1-thiol nanoparticles showed different absorption behavior at the interface, in agreement with the findings of Kutuzov et al. (Phys Chem Chem Phys 9:6351-6358, 2007). The experiments additionally demonstrated the important role played by the capping agent. At the same concentration, gold nanoparticles stabilized by n-hexane-1-thiol exhibited greater surface activity than gold nanoparticles of the same size stabilized by n-dodecane-1-thiol. These findings contribute to the design of useful supra-colloidal structures by the self-assembly of alkane-thiol-capped gold nanoparticles at liquid-liquid interfaces.

  11. Adhesion of thiolated silica nanoparticles to urinary bladder mucosa: Effects of PEGylation, thiol content and particle size.

    PubMed

    Mun, Ellina A; Williams, Adrian C; Khutoryanskiy, Vitaliy V

    2016-10-15

    Intravesical drug administration is used to deliver cytotoxic agents through a catheter to treat bladder cancer. One major limitation of this approach is poor retention of the drug in the bladder due to periodic urine voiding. Mucoadhesive dosage forms thus offer significant potential to improve drug retention in the bladder. Here, we investigate thiolated silica nanoparticles retention on porcine bladder mucosa in vitro, quantified through Wash Out50 (WO50) values, defined as the volume of liquid necessary to remove 50% of the adhered particles from a mucosal tissue. Following irrigation with artificial urine solution, the thiolated nanoparticles demonstrate significantly greater retention (WO50 up to 36mL) compared to non-mucoadhesive dextran (WO50 7mL), but have weaker mucoadhesive properties than chitosan (WO50 89mL). PEGylation of thiolated silica reduces their mucoadhesion with WO50 values of 29 and 8mL for particles decorated with 750 and 5000Da PEG, respectively. The retention of thiolated silica nanoparticles is dependent on their thiol group contents and physical dimensions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Synthesis of Stable Citrate-Capped Silver Nanoprisms.

    PubMed

    Haber, Jason; Sokolov, Konstantin

    2017-10-10

    Citrate-stabilized silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs) can be easily functionalized using well-developed thiol based surface chemistry that is an important requirement for biosensor applications utilizing localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Unfortunately, currently available protocols for synthesis of citrate-coated AgNPrs do not produce stable nanoparticles thus limiting their usefulness in biosensing applications. Here we address this problem by carrying out a systematic study of citrate-stabilized, peroxide-based synthesis of AgNPrs to optimize reaction conditions for production of stable and reproducible nanoprisms. Our analysis showed that concentration of secondary reducing agent, l-ascorbic acid, is critical to AgNPr stability. Furthermore, we demonstrated that optimization of other synthesis conditions such as stabilizer concentration, rate of silver nitrate addition, and seed dilution result in highly stable nanoprisms with narrow absorbance peaks ranging from 450 nm into near-IR. In addition, the optimized reaction conditions can be used to produce AgNPrs in a one-pot synthesis instead of a previously described two-step reaction. The resulting nanoprisms can readily interact with thiols for easy surface functionalization. These studies provide an optimized set of parameters for precise control of citrate stabilized AgNPr synthesis for biomedical applications.

  13. Crystal structures of potent thiol-based inhibitors bound to carboxypeptidase B.

    PubMed

    Adler, Marc; Bryant, Judi; Buckman, Brad; Islam, Imadul; Larsen, Brent; Finster, Silke; Kent, Lorraine; May, Karen; Mohan, Raju; Yuan, Shendong; Whitlow, Marc

    2005-07-05

    This paper presents the crystal structure of porcine pancreatic carboxypeptidase B (pp-CpB) in complex with a variety of thiol-based inhibitors that were developed as antagonists of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa). Recent studies have indicated that a selective inhibitor of TAFIa could enhance the efficacy of existing thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, one of the most prevalent forms of heart attacks. Unfortunately, activated TAFIa rapidly degrades in solution and cannot be used for crystallographic studies. In contrast, porcine pancreatic CpB is stable at room temperature and is available from commercial sources. Both pancreatic CpB and TAFIa are zinc-based exopeptidases, and the proteins share a 47% sequence identity. The homology improves considerably in the active site where nearly all of the residues are conserved. The inhibitors used in this study were designed to mimic a C-terminal arginine residue, one of the natural substrates of TAFIa. The X-ray structures show that the thiol group chelates the active site zinc, the carboxylic acid forms a salt bridge to Arg145, and the guanidine group forms two hydrogen bonds to Asp255. A meta-substituted phenyl was introduced into our inhibitors to reduce conformational freedom. This modification vastly improved the selectivity of compounds against other exopeptidases that cleave basic residues. Comparisons between structures indicate that selectivity derives from the interaction between the guanidine group in the inhibitors and an acidic active site residue. The location of this acidic residue is not conserved in the various carboxypeptidases.

  14. Preparation of transition metal nanoparticles and surfaces modified with (co)polymers synthesized by RAFT

    DOEpatents

    McCormick, III, Charles L.; Lowe, Andrew B [Hattiesburg, MS; Sumerlin, Brent S [Pittsburgh, PA

    2011-12-27

    A new, facile, general one-phase method of generating thiol-functionalized transition metal nanoparticles and surfaces modified by (co)polymers synthesized by the RAFT method is described. The method includes the steps of forming a (co)polymer in aqueous solution using the RAFT methodology, forming a colloidal transition metal precursor solution from an appropriate transition metal; adding the metal precursor solution or surface to the (co)polymer solution, adding a reducing agent into the solution to reduce the metal colloid in situ to produce the stabilized nanoparticles or surface, and isolating the stabilized nanoparticles or surface in a manner such that aggregation is minimized. The functionalized surfaces generated using these methods can further undergo planar surface modifications, such as functionalization with a variety of different chemical groups, expanding their utility and application.

  15. Neuroprotection against 6-OHDA toxicity in PC12 cells and mice through the Nrf2 pathway by a sesquiterpenoid from Tussilago farfara.

    PubMed

    Lee, Joohee; Song, Kwangho; Huh, Eugene; Oh, Myung Sook; Kim, Yeong Shik

    2018-06-01

    Oxidative stress plays a key role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Therefore, the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key regulator of the antioxidative response, is considered to be important as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the underlying mechanism of Nrf2-mediated neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress in the PC12 cell line by 7β-(3-ethyl-cis-crotonoyloxy)-1α-(2-methylbutyryloxy)-3,14-dehydro-Z-notonipetranone (ECN), one of the sesquiterpenoids in Farfarae Flos. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with ECN had a protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )- or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cytotoxicity. ECN upregulated the ARE-luciferase activity and induced the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Knockdown of Nrf2 by small, interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated the upregulation of HO-1, indicating that ECN had induced HO-1 via the Nrf2 pathway. Pretreatment with the thiol reducing agents, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or dithiothreitol (DTT), attenuated Nrf2 activation and HO-1 expression. However, the non-thiol reducing antioxidant, Trolox, failed to inhibit HO-1 induction by ECN. These results suggest that ECN may directly interact with Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and modify critical cysteine thiols present in the proteins responsible for Nrf2-mediated upregulation of HO-1. In a 6-OHDA-induced mouse model of PD, administration of ECN ameliorated motor impairments and dopaminergic neuronal damage. Taken together, ECN exerts neuroprotective effects by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in both PC12 cells and mice. Thus, ECN, as an Nrf2 activator, could be an attractive therapeutic candidate for the neuroprotection or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Mechanistic investigation of Fe(III) oxide reduction by low molecular weight organic sulfur species

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eitel, Eryn M.; Taillefert, Martial

    2017-10-01

    Low molecular weight organic sulfur species, often referred to as thiols, are known to be ubiquitous in aquatic environments and represent important chemical reductants of Fe(III) oxides. Thiols are excellent electron shuttles used during dissimilatory iron reduction, and in this capacity could indirectly affect the redox state of sediments, release adsorbed contaminants via reductive dissolution, and influence the carbon cycle through alteration of bacterial respiration processes. Interestingly, the reduction of Fe(III) oxides by thiols has not been previously investigated in environmentally relevant conditions, likely due to analytical limitations associated with the detection of thiols and their oxidized products. In this study, a novel electrochemical method was developed to simultaneously determine thiol/disulfide pair concentrations in situ during the reduction of ferrihydrite in batch reactors. First order rate laws with respect to initial thiol concentration were confirmed for Fe(III) oxyhydroxide reduction by four common thiols: cysteine, homocysteine, cysteamine, and glutathione. Zero order was determined for both Fe(III) oxyhydroxide and proton concentration at circumneutral pH. A kinetic model detailing the molecular mechanism of the reaction was optimized with proposed intermediate surface structures. Although metal oxide overall reduction rate constants were inversely proportional to the complexity of the thiol structure, the extent of metal reduction increased with structure complexity, indicating that surface complexes play a significant role in the ability of these thiols to reduce iron. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of considering the molecular reaction mechanism at the iron oxide surface when investigating the potential for thiols to act as electron shuttles during dissimilatory iron reduction in natural environments.

  17. Proteolytic fragmentation and peptide mapping of human carboxyamidomethylated tracheobronchial mucin.

    PubMed

    Rose, M C; Kaufman, B; Martin, B M

    1989-05-15

    Human tracheobronchial mucin was isolated from lung mucosal gel by chromatography on Sepharose 4B in the presence of dissociating and reducing agents, and its thiol residues were carboxyamidomethylated with iodo[1(-14)C]acetamide. The 14C-carboxyamido-methylated mucin was purified by chromatography on Sepharose 2B. No low molecular weight components were detected by molecular sieve chromatography or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of dissociating and reducing agents or by analytical density centrifugation in CsCl/guanidinium chloride. After digestion of the purified 14C-mucin with trypsin-L-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone, three fractions (TR-1, TR-2, and TR-3) were observed by chromatography on Sepharose 4B. TR-1, a 260-kDa mucin glycopeptide fragment, contained all of the neutral hexose and blood group activity and 20% of the radioactivity in the undigested mucin. TR-1 was refractory to a second incubation with trypsin but could be digested by papain or Pronase to a smaller mucin glycopeptide fraction, as judged by the slight decrease in apparent molecular weight on Sepharose CL-4B. These mucin glycopeptides contained approximately 50% of the radioactivity in the TR-1 fraction, indicating that the glycosylated domains of carboxyamidomethylated tracheobronchial mucin contained thiol residues. The remainder of the radioactivity from papain or Pronase digests of TR-1 eluted, like the TR-3 fractions, in the salt fraction on Sepharose CL-4B. Peptide mapping of the nonglycosylated TR-3 fraction by TLC and high voltage electrophoresis yielded six principal and several less intensely stained ninhydrin reactive components, with the radiolabel concentrated in one of the latter peptides. Peptide purification of the TR-3 fraction by high pressure liquid chromatography on a C18 reverse phase column demonstrated the presence of four major peptides, with TR-3A being the dominant component. The TR-3D peptide contained S-carboxy-aminomethylcysteine and had 69% sequence similarity to the sgs-7 salivary glue protein of Drosophila.

  18. Modifying mesoporous silica nanoparticles to avoid the metabolic deactivation of 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate in combinatorial chemotherapy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Wenjing; Fang, Chenjie; Wang, Xiaozhu; Chen, Yuxi; Wang, Yaonan; Feng, Wei; Yan, Chunhua; Zhao, Ming; Peng, Shiqi

    2013-06-01

    Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with amino and thiol groups (MSNSN) were prepared and covalently modified with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine to form 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX. In the presence of DTT, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX gradually releases 6-MP. In rat plasma, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX effectively inhibits the metabolic deactivation of 6-MP and MTX. 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX could be an agent for long-acting chemotherapy.Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with amino and thiol groups (MSNSN) were prepared and covalently modified with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine to form 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX. In the presence of DTT, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX gradually releases 6-MP. In rat plasma, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX effectively inhibits the metabolic deactivation of 6-MP and MTX. 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX could be an agent for long-acting chemotherapy. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details of the synthesis and in vitro and in vivo assays. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00227f

  19. Thiol peroxidases mediate specific genome-wide regulation of gene expression in response to hydrogen peroxide

    PubMed Central

    Fomenko, Dmitri E.; Koc, Ahmet; Agisheva, Natalia; Jacobsen, Michael; Kaya, Alaattin; Malinouski, Mikalai; Rutherford, Julian C.; Siu, Kam-Leung; Jin, Dong-Yan; Winge, Dennis R.; Gladyshev, Vadim N.

    2011-01-01

    Hydrogen peroxide is thought to regulate cellular processes by direct oxidation of numerous cellular proteins, whereas antioxidants, most notably thiol peroxidases, are thought to reduce peroxides and inhibit H2O2 response. However, thiol peroxidases have also been implicated in activation of transcription factors and signaling. It remains unclear if these enzymes stimulate or inhibit redox regulation and whether this regulation is widespread or limited to a few cellular components. Herein, we found that Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking all eight thiol peroxidases were viable and withstood redox stresses. They transcriptionally responded to various redox treatments, but were unable to activate and repress gene expression in response to H2O2. Further studies involving redox transcription factors suggested that thiol peroxidases are major regulators of global gene expression in response to H2O2. The data suggest that thiol peroxidases sense and transfer oxidative signals to the signaling proteins and regulate transcription, whereas a direct interaction between H2O2 and other cellular proteins plays a secondary role. PMID:21282621

  20. Development of polymer-polysaccharide hydrogels for controlling drug delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baldwin, Aaron David

    The use of polymers as biomaterials has evolved over the past several decades, encompassing an expanding synthetic toolbox and many bio-mimetic approaches. Both synthetic and natural polymers have been used as components for biomaterials as their unique chemical structures can provide specific functions for desired applications. Of these materials, heparin, a highly sulfated naturally occurring polysaccharide, has been investigated extensively as a core component in drug delivery platforms and tissue engineering. The goal of this work was to further explore the use of heparin via conjugation with synthetic polymers for applications in drug delivery. We begin by investigating low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), a depolymerized heparin that is used medicinally in the prevention of thrombosis by subcutaneous injection or intravenous drip. Certain disease states or disorders require frequent administration with invasive delivery modalities leading to compliance issues for individuals on prolonged therapeutic courses. To address these issues, a long-term delivery method was developed for LMWH via subcutaneous injection of in situ hydrogelators. This therapy was accomplished by chemical modification of LMWH with maleimide functionality so that it may be crosslinked into continuous hydrogel networks with four-arm thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG-SH). These hydrogels degrade via hydrolysis over a period of weeks and release bioactive LMWH with first-order kinetics as determined by in vitro and in vivo models, thus indicating the possibility of an alternative means of heparin delivery over current accepted methodologies. Evaluation of the maleimide-thiol chemistries applied in the LMWH hydrogels revealed reversibility for some conjugates under reducing conditions. Addition chemistries, such as maleimide-thiol reactions, are widely employed in biological conjugates and are generally accepted as stable. Here we show that the resulting succinimide thioether formed by the Michael type addition of thiol derivatives to N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) undergoes retro and exchange reactions in the presence of other thiol compounds at physiological pH and temperature. Model studies of NEM conjugated to various thiols (4-mercaptophenylacetic acid (MPA), N-acetylcysteine, or 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MP)), incubated with a naturally occurring reducing agent, glutathione, showed half-lives from 20-80 hrs with extents of conversion from 20-90% for MPA and N-acetylcysteine conjugates. The kinetics of the retro reactions and extent of exchange can be modulated by the Michael donor's reactivity; therefore the degradation of maleimide-thiol adducts could be tuned for controlled release of drugs or degradation of materials at timescales different than those currently possible via disulfide-mediated release. The reduction sensitive maleimide-thiol chemistry was then investigated as a crosslinking mechanism for LMWH hydrogels. Crosslinking maleimide functionalized LMWH with PEG functionalized with thiophenyl functionalities imparted glutathione sensitivity. 4-mercaptophenylpropionic acid and 2,2-dimethyl-3-(4-mercaptophenyl)propionic acid, induced sensitivity to glutathione as shown by a decrease in degradation time of 4x and 5x respectively. The pseudo-first order retro reaction constants were approximately an order of magnitude slower than hydrogels crosslinked via disulfide linkages, indicating the potential use of the retro succinimide-thioether covalent bonds for reduction mediated release and/or degradation with increased blood stability and prolonged drug delivery timescales compared to disulfide chemistries. In summary, this work highlights the use of polymer-polysaccharide hydrogels composed of LMWH and PEG as investigated for drug delivery and as a tool for elucidating a novel reduction sensitive controlled release mechanism.

  1. Highly stabilized gadolinium chelates functionalized on metal nanoparticles as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Siddiqui, Talha S.

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method for imaging and diagnosing tissue damage, organ function and the vascular system. Magnevist(TM) a complex of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and Gd3+ is a clinically approved contrast agent for MRI. A derivative of DTPA was formed by the addition of two cysteine groups (DTPA-L-Cys) through amide linkage. The Gd complex of this ligand bonds with the silver surfaces through the cysteine thiols. GdDTPA-L-Cys was bound to ˜10nm diameter Ag nanoparticles for use as a multifunctional MRI contrast agent. The ligand and complex were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, ESI-MS and IR spectroscopy. The silver construct was characterized by TEM, TGA and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The per metal complex r1 relaxivity of GdDTPA-L-Cys{Ag} greater than that of Magnavist(TM) with the same molarity for both compounds. The synthesis of a DTPA derivative is described that allows it to bind to silver or gold nanoparticles through a single thiol linkage (DTPASH). The resulting Gd complex, GdDTPASH, was bound to Ag nanoparticles to create a single monolayer on the surface. The construct was further stabilized in buffered solution with the addition of a thiolated PEG chain. The highly stabilized nanoparticle construct delivers a high payload of Gd compelex and is an effective T1 brightening agent. The production of this type of construct opens the way for engineered multimodal MRI contrast agents.

  2. Click and chemically triggered declick reactions through reversible amine and thiol coupling via a conjugate acceptor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Diehl, Katharine L.; Kolesnichenko, Igor V.; Robotham, Scott A.; Bachman, J. Logan; Zhong, Ye; Brodbelt, Jennifer S.; Anslyn, Eric V.

    2016-10-01

    The coupling and decoupling of molecular units is a fundamental undertaking of organic chemistry. Herein we report the use of a very simple conjugate acceptor, derived from Meldrum's acid, for the sequential ‘clicking’ together of an amine and a thiol in aqueous conditions at neutral pH. Subsequently, this linkage can be ‘declicked’ by a chemical trigger to release the original amine and thiol undisturbed. The reactivity differs from that of other crosslinking agents because the selectivity for sequential functionalization derives from an altering of the electrophilicity of the conjugate acceptor on the addition of the amine. We describe the use of the procedure to modify proteins, create multicomponent libraries and synthesize oligomers, all of which can be declicked to their starting components in a controlled fashion when desired. Owing to the mild reaction conditions and ease of use in a variety of applications, the method is predicted to have wide utility.

  3. Neutrophil-generated HOCl leads to non-specific thiol oxidation in phagocytized bacteria

    PubMed Central

    Degrossoli, Adriana; Müller, Alexandra; Xie, Kaibo; Schneider, Jannis F; Bader, Verian; Winklhofer, Konstanze F; Meyer, Andreas J

    2018-01-01

    Phagocytic immune cells kill pathogens in the phagolysosomal compartment with a cocktail of antimicrobial agents. Chief among them are reactive species produced in the so-called oxidative burst. Here, we show that bacteria exposed to a neutrophil-like cell line experience a rapid and massive oxidation of cytosolic thiols. Using roGFP2-based fusion probes, we could show that this massive breakdown of the thiol redox homeostasis was dependent on phagocytosis, presence of NADPH oxidase and ultimately myeloperoxidase. Interestingly, the redox-mediated fluorescence change in bacteria expressing a glutathione-specific Grx1-roGFP2 fusion protein or an unfused roGFP2 showed highly similar reaction kinetics to the ones observed with roGFP2-Orp1, under all conditions tested. We recently observed such an indiscriminate oxidation of roGFP2-based fusion probes by HOCl with fast kinetics in vitro. In line with these observations, abating HOCl production in immune cells with a myeloperoxidase inhibitor significantly attenuated the oxidation of all three probes in bacteria. PMID:29506649

  4. Vinyl functionalized silica hybrid monolith-based trypsin microreactor for on line digestion and separation via thiol-ene "click" strategy.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yingzhuang; Wu, Minghuo; Wang, Keyi; Chen, Bo; Yao, Shouzhuo; Zou, Hanfa; Nie, Lihua

    2011-11-04

    A novel thiol-ene "click" strategy for the preparation of monolithic trypsin microreactor was proposed. The hybrid organic-inorganic monolithic capillary column with ene-functionality was fabricated by sol-gel process using tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-MAPS) as precursors. The disulfide bonds of trypsin were reduced to form free thiol groups. Then the trypsin containing free thiol groups was attached on the γ-MAPS hybrid monolithic column with ene-functionality via thiol-ene click chemistry to form a trypsin microreactor. The activity of the trypsin microreactor was characterized by detecting the substrate (Nα-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, TAME) and the product (Nα-p-tosyl-L-arginine, TA) with on-line capillary zone electrophoresis. After investigating various synthesizing conditions, it was found that the microreactor with poly(N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) as spacer can deliver the highest activity, yielding a rapid reaction rate. After repeatedly sampling and analyzing for 100 times, the monolithic trypsin microreactor still remained 87.5% of its initial activity. It was demonstrated that thiol-ene "click" strategy for the construction of enzyme microreactor is a promising method for the highly selective immobilization of proteins under mild conditions, especially enzymes with free thiol radicals. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Presence of closely spaced protein thiols on the surface of mammalian cells.

    PubMed Central

    Donoghue, N.; Yam, P. T.; Jiang, X. M.; Hogg, P. J.

    2000-01-01

    It has been proposed that certain cell-surface proteins undergo redox reactions, that is, transfer of hydrogens and electrons between closely spaced cysteine thiols that can lead to reduction, formation, or interchange of disulfide bonds. This concept was tested using a membrane-impermeable trivalent arsenical to identify closely spaced thiols in cell-surface proteins. We attached the trivalent arsenical, phenylarsenoxide, to the thiol of reduced glutathione to produce 4-(N-(S-glutathionylacetyl)amino)phenylarsenoxide (GSAO). GSAO bound tightly to synthetic, peptide, and protein dithiols like thioredoxin, but not to monothiols. To identify cell-surface proteins that contain closely spaced thiols, we attached a biotin moiety through a spacer arm to the primary amino group of the gamma-glutamyl residue of GSAO (GSAO-B). Incorporation of GSAO-B into proteins was assessed by measuring the biotin using streptavidin-peroxidase. Up to 12 distinct proteins were labeled with GSAO-B on the surface of endothelial and fibrosarcoma cells. The pattern of labeled proteins differed between the different cell types. Protein disulfide isomerase was one of the proteins on the endothelial and fibrosarcoma cell surface that incorporated GSAO-B. These findings demonstrate that the cell-surface environment can support the existence of closely spaced protein thiols and suggest that at least some of these thiols are redox active. PMID:11206065

  6. Thiol Disulfide Homeostasis in Schizophrenic Patients Using Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs

    PubMed Central

    Ersan, Etem Erdal; Aydin, Hüseyin; Erdoğan, Serpil; Erşan, Serpil; Alişik, Murat; Bakir, Sevtap; Erel, Özcan; Koç, Derya

    2018-01-01

    Objective Schizophrenia is a severe, debilitating mental disorder characterized by behavioral abnormalities. Although several studies have investigated the role of oxidative stress and the effects of antipsychotic drugs on oxidative markers in schizophrenia, adequate information is not available on these issues. The aim of this study is to determine the changes in oxidative status and thiol disulfide homeostasis in schizophrenic patients using atypical antipsychotic drugs. Methods Thirteen schizophrenic patients using atypical antipsychotic drugs and 30 healthy controls were included this study. The concentrations of total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels were determined in the study population. Results The TAS (p=0.001), total thiol, and native thiol levels (p<0.001) were higher in the patients compared to the controls, whereas the TOS and disulfide levels were lower in the patients than in the controls (p<0.001). Conclusion These results may suggest that atypical antipsychotic drugs have a useful therapeutic effect by reducing oxidative stress via the inhibition of the formation of disulfide bonds. The study population number was one of the limitations of this study. Therefore, further studies are needed to establish the association between thiol disulfide homeostasis in schizophrenic patients using atypical antipsychotic drugs. PMID:29397665

  7. Thiol peroxidase deficiency leads to increased mutational load and decreased fitness in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Kaya, Alaattin; Lobanov, Alexei V; Gerashchenko, Maxim V; Koren, Amnon; Fomenko, Dmitri E; Koc, Ahmet; Gladyshev, Vadim N

    2014-11-01

    Thiol peroxidases are critical enzymes in the redox control of cellular processes that function by reducing low levels of hydroperoxides and regulating redox signaling. These proteins were also shown to regulate genome stability, but how their dysfunction affects the actual mutations in the genome is not known. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has eight thiol peroxidases of glutathione peroxidase and peroxiredoxin families, and the mutant lacking all these genes (∆8) is viable. In this study, we employed two independent ∆8 isolates to analyze the genome-wide mutation spectrum that results from deficiency in these enzymes. Deletion of these genes was accompanied by a dramatic increase in point mutations, many of which clustered in close proximity and scattered throughout the genome, suggesting strong mutational bias. We further subjected multiple lines of wild-type and ∆8 cells to long-term mutation accumulation, followed by genome sequencing and phenotypic characterization. ∆8 lines showed a significant increase in nonrecurrent point mutations and indels. The original ∆8 cells exhibited reduced growth rate and decreased life span, which were further reduced in all ∆8 mutation accumulation lines. Although the mutation spectrum of the two independent isolates was different, similar patterns of gene expression were observed, suggesting the direct contribution of thiol peroxidases to the observed phenotypes. Expression of a single thiol peroxidase could partially restore the growth phenotype of ∆8 cells. This study shows how deficiency in nonessential, yet critical and conserved oxidoreductase function, leads to increased mutational load and decreased fitness. Copyright © 2014 by the Genetics Society of America.

  8. Differential regulation of the slow and rapid components of guinea-pig cardiac delayed rectifier K+ channels by hypoxia

    PubMed Central

    Hool, Livia C

    2004-01-01

    The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acute hypoxia on the slow (IKs) and rapid (IKr) components of the native delayed rectifier K+ channel in the absence and presence of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol (isoprenaline; Iso) using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Hypoxia reversibly inhibited basal IKs. The effect could be mimicked by exposing the cells to the thiol-specific reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) and attenuated upon exposure of cells to the membrane-impermeant thiol-specific oxidizing compound 5,5′-dithio-bis[2-nitrobenzoic acid] (DTNB). In the presence of hypoxia, the K0.5 for activation of IKs by Iso was significantly decreased from 18.3 to 1.9 nm. DTT mimicked the effect of hypoxia on the sensitivity of IKs to Iso while DTNB had no effect. Hypoxia increased the sensitivity of IKs to histamine and forskolin suggesting that the effect of hypoxia is not occurring at the β-adrenergic receptor. The increase in sensitivity of IKs to Iso could be attenuated with addition of PKCβ peptide to the pipette solution. While hypoxia and DTT inhibited basal IKs they were without effect on IKr. In addition, Iso did not appear to alter the magnitude of IKr in the absence or presence of hypoxia. These data suggest that hypoxia regulates native IKs through two distinct mechanisms: direct inhibition of basal IKs and an increase in sensitivity to Iso that occurs downstream from the β-adrenergic receptor. Both mechanisms appear to involve redox modification of thiol groups. In contrast native IKr does not appear to be regulated by Iso, hypoxia or redox state. PMID:14634203

  9. Technetium radiodiagnostic fatty acids derived from bisamide bisthiol ligands

    DOEpatents

    Jones, Alun G.; Lister-James, John; Davison, Alan

    1988-05-24

    A bisamide-bisthiol ligand containing fatty acid substituted thiol useful for producing Tc-labelled radiodiagnostic imaging agents is described. The ligand forms a complex with the radionuclide .sup.99m Tc suitable for administration as a radiopharmaceutical to obtain images of the heart for diagnosis of myocardial disfunction.

  10. Chromenoquinoline-based thiol probes: a study on the quencher position for controlling fluorescent Off-On characteristics.

    PubMed

    Kand, Dnyaneshwar; Kalle, Arunasree Marasanapalli; Talukdar, Pinaki

    2013-02-13

    The design, synthesis and thiol sensing ability of chromenoquinoline-based fluorescent probes 4, 5 and 6 and are reported here. The relative position of the maleimide moiety was varied along the chromenoquinoline fluorophore to decrease the background fluorescence. Lower background fluorescence in probes 4 and 6 was rationalized by the smaller k(r)/k(nr) values compared to that of probe 5. An intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism was proposed for quenching and the extent was dependent on the position of the maleimide quencher. Fluorescent Off-On characteristics were evaluated by theoretical calculations. All probes were selective only towards thiol containing amino acids. Thiol sensing by probes 4 and 6 were much better compared to 5. Probe 4 displayed a better fluorescence response for less hindered thiol (185-, 223- and 156-fold for Hcy, Cys and GSH, respectively), while for probe 6, a higher enhancement in fluorescence was observed with more hindered thiols (180-, 205- and 245-fold for Hcy, Cys and GSH, respectively). The better response to bulkier thiol, GSH by probe 6 was attributed to the steric crowding at the C-4 position and bulkiness of the GSH group which force the succinimide unit to be in a nearly orthogonal conformation. This spatial arrangement was important in reducing the fluorescence quenching ability of the succinimide moiety. The application of probes 4, 5 and 6 was demonstrated by naked eye detection thiols using a 96-well plate system as well as by live-cell imaging.

  11. N-acetylcysteine potentiates platelet inhibition by endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

    PubMed

    Stamler, J; Mendelsohn, M E; Amarante, P; Smick, D; Andon, N; Davies, P F; Cooke, J P; Loscalzo, J

    1989-09-01

    Recent evidence suggests that endothelium-derived relaxing factor exhibits properties of nitric oxide. Like nitric oxide, it inhibits platelet function and mediates its effects by elevating intracellular cyclic GMP. In this study we have investigated the role of reduced thiol in the mechanism of action of endothelium-derived relaxing factor on platelets. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were grown on microcarrier beads and pretreated with aspirin before use. Endothelial cells stimulated with bradykinin or exposed to stirred medium expressed a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation that was potentiated by the reduced thiol, N-acetylcysteine. Endothelial cell-mediated platelet inhibition was attenuated by methylene blue. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by endothelial cells was associated with a rise in platelet intracellular cyclic GMP, an effect that was enhanced by N-acetylcysteine. These data show that 1) the reduced thiol N-acetylcysteine potentiates platelet inhibition by endothelium-derived relaxing factor and 2) this effect is associated with increasing intracellular platelet cyclic GMP levels.

  12. Multimodal Sensing Strategy Using pH Dependent Fluorescence Switchable System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muthurasu, A.; Ganesh, V.

    2016-12-01

    Biomolecules assisted preparation of fluorescent gold nanoparticles (FL-Au NPs) has been reported in this work using glucose oxidase enzyme as both reducing and stabilizing agent and demonstrated their application through multimodal sensing strategy for selective detection of cysteine (Cys). Three different methods namely fluorescence turn OFF-ON strategy, naked eye detection and electrochemical methods are used for Cys detection by employing FL-Au NPs as a common probe. In case of fluorescence turn-OFF method a strong interaction between Au NPs and thiol results in quenching of fluorescence due to replacement of glucose oxidase by Cys at neutral pH. Second mode is based on fluorescence switch-ON strategy where initial fluorescence is significantly quenched by either excess acid or base and further addition of Cys results in appearance of rosy-red and green fluorescence respectively. Visual colour change and fluorescence emission arises due to etching of Au atoms on the surface by thiol leading to formation of Au nanoclusters. Finally, electrochemical sensing of Cys is also carried out using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M PBS solution. These findings provide a suitable platform for Cys detection over a wide range of pH and concentration levels and hence the sensitivity can also be tuned accordingly.

  13. Modified cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay for measuring the antioxidant capacities of thiol-containing proteins in admixture with polyphenols.

    PubMed

    Cekiç, Sema Demirci; Başkan, Kevser Sözgen; Tütem, Esma; Apak, Reşat

    2009-07-15

    Proteins are not considered as true antioxidants but are known to protect antioxidants from oxidation in various antioxidant activity assays. This study aims to investigate the contribution of proteins, especially thiol-containing proteins, to the observed overall antioxidant capacity measured by known methods. To determine the antioxidant properties of thiol-containing proteins, the CUPRAC method of antioxidant assay using the oxidizing reagent Cu(II)-neocuproine previously used for simultaneous analysis of cystine and cysteine was adopted. While the CUPRAC method is capable of determining all antioxidant compounds including thiols in complex sample matrices, the Ellman method of thiol quantitation basically does not respond to other antioxidants. The antioxidant quantities in the selected samples were assayed with the ABTS and FRAP methods as well as with the CUPRAC method. In all applied methods, the dilutions were made with a standard pH 8 buffer used in the Ellman method by substituting the Na(2)EDTA component of the buffer with sodium citrate. On the other hand, the standard CUPRAC protocol was modified by substituting the pH 7 ammonium acetate buffer (at 1M concentration) with 8M urea buffer adjusted to pH 7 by neutralizing with 6M HCl. Urea helps to partly solubilize and denaturate proteins so that their buried thiols be oxidized more easily. All methods used in the estimation of antioxidant properties of proteins (i.e., CUPRAC, Ellman, ABTS, and FRAP) were first standardized with a simple thiol compound, cysteine, by constructing the calibration curves. The molar absorptivities of these methods for cysteine were: epsilon(CUPRAC)=7.71x10(3), epsilon(Ellman)=1.37x10(4), epsilon(ABTS)=2.06x10(4), and epsilon(FRAP)=2.98x10(3)L mol(-1)cm(-1). Then these methods were applied to various samples containing thiols, such as glutathione (reduced form:GSH), egg white, whey proteins, and gelatin. Additionally, known quantities of selected antioxidants were added to these samples to show the additivity of responses.

  14. Effects of redox and sulfhydryl reagents on the bioelectric properties of the giant axon of the squid.

    PubMed

    Huneeus-Cox, F; Fernandez, H L; Smith, B H

    1966-09-01

    The effects of internally and externally applied sulfhydryl reagents on the bioelectric properties of the giant axon of the squid Loligo pealeii and Dosidicus gigas were studied. Cysteine-HCl (400 mM, pH 7.3) was used to remove axoplasm from the perfusion channel. Oxidizing agents (1 to 60 mM) tended to increase the duration of the action potential and had a slow, irreversible blocking effect when perfused internally; the membrane potential was little affected. Reducing agents applied internally caused a decrease in the spike duration without affecting its height or the membrane potential, although at high concentrations there was reversible deterioration of the action potential. Both external and internal perfusion of mercaptide-forming reagents caused deterioration in the action and membrane potentials with conduction block occurring in 5 to 45 min. 2-mercaptoethanol reversed the effects. Thiol alkylating reagents, iodoacetate and iodoacetamide, were without effect. N-ethylmaleimide did, however, block. Tests with chelating agents for nonheme iron in the membrane brought about no change in the electrical parameters. The implications of the present findings with regard to the macromolecular mechanism of excitation are discussed.

  15. Effects of Redox and Sulfhydryl Reagents on the Bioelectric Properties of the Giant Axon of the Squid

    PubMed Central

    Huneeus-Cox, F.; Fernandez, H. L.; Smith, B. H.

    1966-01-01

    The effects of internally and externally applied sulfhydryl reagents on the bioelectric properties of the giant axon of the squid Loligo pealeii and Dosidicus gigas were studied. Cysteine-HCl (400 mM, pH 7.3) was used to remove axoplasm from the perfusion channel. Oxidizing agents (1 to 60 mM) tended to increase the duration of the action potential and had a slow, irreversible blocking effect when perfused internally; the membrane potential was little affected. Reducing agents applied internally caused a decrease in the spike duration without affecting its height or the membrane potential, although at high concentrations there was reversible deterioration of the action potential. Both external and internal perfusion of mercaptide-forming reagents caused deterioration in the action and membrane potentials with conduction block occurring in 5 to 45 min. 2-mercaptoethanol reversed the effects. Thiol alkylating reagents, iodoacetate and iodoacetamide, were without effect. N-ethylmaleimide did, however, block. Tests with chelating agents for nonheme iron in the membrane brought about no change in the electrical parameters. The implications of the present findings with regard to the macromolecular mechanism of excitation are discussed. ImagesFigure 1 PMID:5970570

  16. Body malodours and their topical treatment agents.

    PubMed

    Kanlayavattanakul, M; Lourith, N

    2011-08-01

    Body malodour, including foot odour, suppresses social interaction by diminishing self-confidence and accelerating damage to the wearer's clothes and shoes. Most treatment agents, including aluminium anti-perspirant salts, inhibit the growth of malodourous bacteria. These metallic salts also reduce sweat by blocking the excretory ducts of sweat glands, minimizing the water source that supports bacterial growth. However, there are some drawback effects that limit the use of aluminium anti-perspirant salts. In addition, over-the-counter anti-perspirant and deodourant products may not be sufficiently effective for heavy sweaters, and strong malodour producers. Body odour treatment agents are rarely mentioned in the literature compared with other cosmetic ingredients. This review briefly summarizes the relationship among sweat, skin bacteria, and body odour; describes how odourous acids, thiols, and steroids are formed; and discusses the active ingredients, including metallic salts and herbs, that are used to treat body odour. A new class of ingredients that function by regulating the release of malodourants will also be described. These ingredients do not alter the balance of the skin flora. © 2011 The Authors. ICS © 2011 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

  17. Mangiferin, a natural occurring glucosyl xanthone, increases susceptibility of rat liver mitochondria to calcium-induced permeability transition.

    PubMed

    Andreu, Gilberto Lázaro Pardo; Delgado, René; Velho, Jesus Antonio; Curti, Carlos; Vercesi, Anibal E

    2005-07-15

    Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a Ca(2+)-dependent, cyclosporine A-sensitive, non-selective inner membrane permeabilization induced by a wide range of agents or conditions, which has often been associated with necrotic or apoptotic cell death. When mitochondria isolated from livers of rats treated with the natural occurring glucosyl xanthone mangiferin (40 mg/kg body weight) were exposed in vitro to Ca(2+), they underwent CsA, NEM, and ADP-sensitive high amplitude swelling and associated membrane potential dissipation, release of pre-accumulated Ca(2+), oxidation of thiol groups, and depletion of GSH, without changes in the NAD(P)H redox state. The same treatment reduced the phosphorylation rate of mitochondria and the resting respiration by around 4 and 11%, respectively, as well as generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by organelle. The in vitro exposure of untreated mitochondria to mangiferin plus Ca(2+) also resulted in oxidation of thiol groups, in the same way that the compound inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced peroxidation of mitochondrial membrane lipids. The spectrum of mangiferin during its oxidation by the H(2)O(2)/HRP system showed a characteristic absorption peak at 380 nm, which decreased immediately after reaction was started; two isosbestic points at around 336 and 412 nm, with a blue shift in the position of the maxima absorption of mangiferin were observed, suggesting their conversion into one oxidation product. Glutathione abolished this decrease of absorbance, suggesting that the oxidation product of mangiferin forms adducts with GSH. We propose that Ca(2+) increases levels of mitochondria-generated ROS, which reacts with mangiferin producing quinoid derivatives, which in turn react with the most accessible mitochondrial thiol groups, thus triggering MPT. It seems probable that the free radical scavenging activity of mangiferin shifts its anti-oxidant protection to the thiol arylation. An interesting proposition is that accumulation of mangiferin quinoid products would take place in cells exposed to an overproduction of ROS, such as cancer cells, where the occurrence of MPT-mediated apoptosis may be a cellular defence mechanism against excessive ROS formation.

  18. Quinone-induced protein modifications: Kinetic preference for reaction of 1,2-benzoquinones with thiol groups in proteins.

    PubMed

    Li, Yuting; Jongberg, Sisse; Andersen, Mogens L; Davies, Michael J; Lund, Marianne N

    2016-08-01

    Oxidation of polyphenols to quinones serves as an antioxidative mechanism, but the resulting quinones may induce damage to proteins as they react through a Michael addition with nucleophilic groups, such as thiols and amines to give protein adducts. In this study, rate constants for the reaction of 4-methylbenzoquinone (4MBQ) with proteins, thiol and amine compounds were determined under pseudo first-order conditions by UV-vis stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The chemical structures of the adducts were identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Proteins with free thiols were rapidly modified by 4MBQ with apparent second order rate constants, k2 of (3.1±0.2)×10(4)M(-1)s(-1) for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and (4.8±0.2)×10(3)M(-1)s(-1) for human serum albumin at pH 7.0. These values are at least 12-fold greater than that for α-lactalbumin (4.0±0.2)×10(2)M(-1)s(-1), which does not contain any free thiols. Reaction of Cys-34 of BSA with N-ethylmaleimide reduced the thiol concentration by ~59%, which resulted in a decrease in k2 by a similar percentage, consistent with rapid adduction at Cys-34. Reaction of 4MBQ with amines (Gly, Nα-acetyl-l-Lys, Nε-acetyl-l-Lys and l-Lys) and the guanidine group of Nα-acetyl-l-Arg was at least 5×10(5) slower than with low-molecular-mass thiols (l-Cys, Nα-acetyl-l-Cys, glutathione). The thiol-quinone interactions formed colorless thiol-phenol products via an intermediate adduct, while the amine-quinone interactions generated colored amine-quinone products that require oxygen involvement. These data provide strong evidence for rapid modification of protein thiols by quinone species which may be of considerable significance for biological and food systems. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. The roles of protein disulphide isomerase family A, member 3 (ERp57) and surface thiol/disulphide exchange in human spermatozoa-zona pellucida binding.

    PubMed

    Wong, Chi-Wai; Lam, Kevin K W; Lee, Cheuk-Lun; Yeung, William S B; Zhao, Wei E; Ho, Pak-Chung; Ou, Jian-Ping; Chiu, Philip C N

    2017-04-01

    Are multimeric sperm plasma membrane protein complexes, ERp57 and sperm surface thiol content involved in human spermatozoa-zona pellucida (ZP) interaction? ERp57 is a component of a multimeric spermatozoa-ZP receptor complex involved in regulation of human spermatozoa-ZP binding via up-regulation of sperm surface thiol content. A spermatozoon acquires its fertilization capacity within the female reproductive tract by capacitation. Spermatozoa-ZP receptor is suggested to be a composite structure that is assembled into a functional complex during capacitation. Sperm surface thiol content is elevated during capacitation. ERp57 is a protein disulphide isomerase that modulates the thiol-disulphide status of proteins. The binding ability and components of protein complexes in extracted membrane protein fractions of spermatozoa were studied. The roles of capacitation, thiol-disulphide reagent treatments and ERp57 on sperm functions and sperm surface thiol content were assessed. Spermatozoa were obtained from semen samples from normozoospermic men. Human oocytes were obtained from an assisted reproduction programme. Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western ligand blotting and mass spectrometry were used to identify the components of solubilized ZP/ZP3-binding complexes. The localization and expression of sperm surface thiol and ERp57 were studied by immunostaining and sperm surface protein biotinylation followed by western blotting. Sperm functions were assessed by standard assays. Several ZP-binding complexes were isolated from the cell membrane of capacitated spermatozoa. ERp57 was a component of one of these complexes. Capacitation significantly increased the sperm surface thiol content, acrosomal thiol distribution and ERp57 expression on sperm surface. Sperm surface thiol and ERp57 immunoreactivity were localized to the acrosomal region of spermatozoa, a region responsible for ZP-binding. Up-regulation of the surface thiol content or ERp57 surface expression in vitro stimulated ZP-binding capacity of human spermatozoa. Blocking of ERp57 function by specific antibody or inhibitors against ERp57 reduced the surface thiol content and ZP-binding capacity of human spermatozoa. N/A. The mechanisms by which up-regulation of surface thiol content stimulates spermatozoa-ZP binding have not been depicted. Thiol-disulphide exchange is a crucial event in capacitation. ERp57 modulates the event and the subsequent fertilization process. Modulation of the surface thiol content of the spermatozoa of subfertile men may help to increase fertilization rate in assisted reproduction. This work was supported by The Hong Kong Research Grant Council Grant HKU764611 and HKU764512M to P.C.N.C. The authors have no competing interests. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

  20. Detection of Free Thiols and Fluorescence Response of Phycoerythrin Chromophore after Ultraviolet-B Radiation Stress.

    PubMed

    Kannaujiya, Vinod K; Sinha, Rajeshwar P

    2017-03-01

    The chemistry of thiol-chromophore linkage plays a central role in the nature of fluorescence of phycoerythrin (PE). Interaction of thiol and chromophore is crucial for the energy transfer, redox signal and inhibition of oxidative damage. In the present investigation the effects of ultraviolet-B radiation on an emission fluorescence intensity and wavelength shift in PE due to interaction between thiol and chromophore by remarkable strategy of detection technique was studied. Purification of PE was done by using a gel permeation and ion exchange chromatography that yielded a quite high purity index (6.40) in a monomeric (αβ) form. UV-B radiation accelerated the quenching efficiency (24.9 ± 1.52%) by reducing fluorescence emission intensity of thiol linked chromophore after 240 min of UV-B exposure. However, after blocking of transiently released free thiol by N-ethylmaleimide, quenching efficiency was increased (36.8 ± 2.80%) with marked emission wavelength shift towards shorter wavelengths up to 562 nm as compared to 575 nm in control. Emission fluorescence of free thiol was at maximum after 240 min that was detected specifically by monobromobimane (mBrB) molecular probe. The association/dissociation of bilin chromophore was analyzed by SDS- and Native-PAGE that also indicated a complete reduction in emission fluorescence. Our work clearly shows an early detection of free thiols and relative interaction with chromophore after UV-B radiation which might play a significant role in structural and functional integrity of terminal PE.

  1. Preventing Protein Adsorption and Macrophage Uptake of Gold Nanoparticles via a Hydrophobic Shield

    PubMed Central

    Larson, Timothy A.; Joshi, Pratixa P.; Sokolov, Konstantin

    2012-01-01

    Polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface coatings are widely used to render stealth properties to nanoparticles in biological applications. There is abundant literature on benefits of PEG coatings and their ability to reduce protein adsorption, to diminish non-specific interactions with cells, and to improve pharmacokinetics, but very little discussion of the limitations of PEG coatings. Here, we show that physiological concentrations of cysteine and cystine can displace methoxy-PEG-thiol molecules from the gold nanoparticle (GNP) surface that leads to protein adsorption and cell uptake in macrophages within 24 hours. Furthermore, we address this problem by incorporating an alkyl linker between the PEG and the thiol moieties that provides a hydrophobic shield layer between the gold surface and the hydrophilic outer PEG layer. The mPEG-alkyl-thiol coating greatly reduces protein adsorption on GNPs and their macrophage uptake. This has important implications for the design of GNP for biological systems. PMID:23009596

  2. Quaternary ammonium salts substituted by 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol as novel antibacterial agents with low cytotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chun-Hua; Xie, Xian-Rui; Liu, Wen-Shuai; Hou, Gui-Ge; Sun, Ju-Feng; Zhao, Feng; Cong, Wei; Li, Hong-Juan; Xin, Wen-Yu

    2017-11-01

    Twenty-one novel 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol (POT) substituted N-hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium salts (6a-g, 7a-g, 8a-g) were prepared and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and elemental analysis. Compounds 6a, 6c, and 8a were confirmed by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. They display the unsurpassed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, α-H-tococcus, Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Canidia Albicans, especially 6g, 7g, 8g with dodecyl group. Compounds 8a-d with N,N-dihydroxyethyl and POT groups display unsurpassed antibacterial activity and non-toxicity. The structure-activity relationships indicate that POT and flexible dihydroxyethyl group in QAS are necessary for antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. SEM and TEM images of E. coli morphologies of 8d show the antibacterial agents can adhere to membrane surfaces to inhibit bacterial growth by disrupting peptidoglycan formation and releasing bacterial cytoplasm from cell membranes. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  3. Metabolism as a key to histone deacetylase inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Rajendran, Praveen; Williams, David E.; Ho, Emily; Dashwood, Roderick H.

    2012-01-01

    There is growing interest in the epigenetic mechanisms that are dysregulated in cancer and other human pathologies. Under this broad umbrella, modulators of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity have gained interest as both cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agents. Of the first generation, FDA-approved HDAC inhibitors to have progressed to clinical trials, vorinostat represents a “direct acting” compound with structural features suitable for docking into the HDAC pocket, whereas romidepsin can be considered a prodrug that undergoes reductive metabolism to generate the active intermediate (a zinc-binding thiol). It is now evident that other agents, including those in the human diet, can be converted by metabolism to intermediates that affect HDAC activity. Examples are cited of short-chain fatty acids, seleno-α-keto acids, small molecule thiols, mercapturic acid metabolites, indoles, and polyphenols. The findings are discussed in the context of putative endogenous HDAC inhibitors generated by intermediary metabolism (e.g. pyruvate), the yin–yang of HDAC inhibition versus HDAC activation, and the screening assays that might be most appropriate for discovery of novel HDAC inhibitors in the future. PMID:21599534

  4. N-Acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and disulphide breaking agent: the reasons why.

    PubMed

    Aldini, Giancarlo; Altomare, Alessandra; Baron, Giovanna; Vistoli, Giulio; Carini, Marina; Borsani, Luisa; Sergio, Francesco

    2018-05-09

    The main molecular mechanisms explaining the well-established antioxidant and reducing activity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the N-acetyl derivative of the natural amino acid l-cysteine, are summarised and critically reviewed. The antioxidant effect is due to the ability of NAC to act as a reduced glutathione (GSH) precursor; GSH is a well-known direct antioxidant and a substrate of several antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, in some conditions where a significant depletion of endogenous Cys and GSH occurs, NAC can act as a direct antioxidant for some oxidant species such as NO 2 and HOX. The antioxidant activity of NAC could also be due to its effect in breaking thiolated proteins, thus releasing free thiols as well as reduced proteins, which in some cases, such as for mercaptoalbumin, have important direct antioxidant activity. As well as being involved in the antioxidant mechanism, the disulphide breaking activity of NAC also explains its mucolytic activity which is due to its effect in reducing heavily cross-linked mucus glycoproteins. Chemical features explaining the efficient disulphide breaking activity of NAC are also explained.

  5. Fluorimetric determination of some thiol compounds in their dosage forms.

    PubMed

    Al-Ghannam, Sh M; El-Brashy, A M; Al-Farhan, B S

    2002-08-01

    A simple fluorimetric procedure was adopted for determination of three pharmaceutical compounds containing thiol groups namely, captopril, D-penicillamine and N-acetylcysteine. In this method, the drugs are treated with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid. The latter is reduced to 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene-4-sulfonic acid which has a maximum fluorescence intensity at 480/318 nm (lambdaEm/Ex). The method is sensitive to 0.5-4.5 pg ml(- 1) with minimum detectability 0.05 microg ml(-1) (S/N = 2), and has been applied to determine these three thiols in their dosage forms. The results obtained are compared favourably with those obtained by their pharmacopeial methods.

  6. Crosslinking Protein Glutathionylation Mediated by O2-Arylated Bis-Diazeniumdiolate “Double JS-K”

    PubMed Central

    Holland, Ryan J.; Maciag, Anna E.; Kumar, Varun; Shi, Lei; Saavedra, Joseph E.; Prud’homme, Robert K.; Chakrapani, Harinath; Keefer, Larry K.

    2012-01-01

    Attachment of glutathione (GSH) to cysteine residues in proteins (S-glutathionylation) is a reversible post-translational modification that can profoundly alter protein structure and function. Often serving in a protective role, e.g., by temporarily saving protein thiols from irreversible oxidation and inactivation, glutathionylation can be identified and semi-quantitatively assessed using anti-GSH antibodies, thought to be specific for recognition of the S-glutathionylation modification. Here we describe an alternate mechanism of protein glutathionylation in which the sulfur atoms of the GSH and the protein’s thiol group are covalently bound via a crosslinking agent, rather than through a disulfide bond. This form of thiol crosslinking has been shown to occur and confirmed by mass spectrometry at the solution chemistry level, as well as in experiments documenting the potent antiproliferative activity of the bis-diazeniumdiolate Double JS-K in H1703 cells in vitro and in vivo. The modification is recognized by the anti-GSH antibody as if it were authentic S-glutathionylation, requiring mass spectrometry to distinguish between them. PMID:23106594

  7. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes as sources and targets of thiol-based redox-regulation.

    PubMed

    Dröse, Stefan; Brandt, Ulrich; Wittig, Ilka

    2014-08-01

    The respiratory chain of the inner mitochondrial membrane is a unique assembly of protein complexes that transfers the electrons of reducing equivalents extracted from foodstuff to molecular oxygen to generate a proton-motive force as the primary energy source for cellular ATP-synthesis. Recent evidence indicates that redox reactions are also involved in regulating mitochondrial function via redox-modification of specific cysteine-thiol groups in subunits of respiratory chain complexes. Vice versa the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by respiratory chain complexes may have an impact on the mitochondrial redox balance through reversible and irreversible thiol-modification of specific target proteins involved in redox signaling, but also pathophysiological processes. Recent evidence indicates that thiol-based redox regulation of the respiratory chain activity and especially S-nitrosylation of complex I could be a strategy to prevent elevated ROS production, oxidative damage and tissue necrosis during ischemia-reperfusion injury. This review focuses on the thiol-based redox processes involving the respiratory chain as a source as well as a target, including a general overview on mitochondria as highly compartmentalized redox organelles and on methods to investigate the redox state of mitochondrial proteins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Thiol-Based Redox Processes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Formation of mercury sulfide from Hg(II)−thiolate complexes in natural organic matter

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Alain Manceau,; Cyprien Lemouchi,; Mironel Enescu,; Anne-Claire Gaillot,; Martine Lanson,; Valerie Magnin,; Pieter Glatzel,; Poulin, Brett; Ryan, Joseph N.; Aiken, George R.; Isabelle Gautier-Lunea,; Kathryn L. Nagy,

    2015-01-01

    Methylmercury is the environmental form of neurotoxic mercury that is biomagnified in the food chain. Methylation rates are reduced when the metal is sequestered in crystalline mercury sulfides or bound to thiol groups in macromolecular natural organic matter. Mercury sulfide minerals are known to nucleate in anoxic zones, by reaction of the thiol-bound mercury with biogenic sulfide, but not in oxic environments. We present experimental evidence that mercury sulfide forms from thiol-bound mercury alone in aqueous dark systems in contact with air. The maximum amount of nanoparticulate mercury sulfide relative to thiol-bound mercury obtained by reacting dissolved mercury and soil organic matter matches that detected in the organic horizon of a contaminated soil situated downstream from Oak Ridge, TN, in the United States. The nearly identical ratios of the two forms of mercury in field and experimental systems suggest a common reaction mechanism for nucleating the mineral. We identified a chemical reaction mechanism that is thermodynamically favorable in which thiol-bound mercury polymerizes to mercury–sulfur clusters. The clusters form by elimination of sulfur from the thiol complexes via breaking of mercury–sulfur bonds as in an alkylation reaction. Addition of sulfide is not required. This nucleation mechanism provides one explanation for how mercury may be immobilized, and eventually sequestered, in oxygenated surface environments.

  9. Dietary consumption of monosodium L-glutamate induces adaptive response and reduction in the life span of Drosophila melanogaster.

    PubMed

    Abolaji, Amos O; Olaiya, Charles O; Oluwadahunsi, Oluwagbenga J; Farombi, Ebenezer O

    2017-04-01

    Adaptive response is the ability of an organism to better counterattack stress-induced damage in response to a number of different cytotoxic agents. Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), the sodium salt of amino acid glutamate, is commonly used as a food additive. We investigated the effects of MSG on the life span and antioxidant response in Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster). Both genders (1 to 3 days old) of flies were fed with diet containing MSG (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5-g/kg diet) for 5 days to assess selected antioxidant and oxidative stress markers, while flies for longevity were fed for lifetime. Thereafter, the longevity assay, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species levels were determined. Also, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities, and total thiol content were evaluated in the flies. We found that MSG reduced the life span of the flies by up to 23% after continuous exposure. Also, MSG increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and H 2 O 2 generations and total thiol content as well as the activities of catalase and glutathione S-transferase in D. melanogaster (P < .05). In conclusion, consumption of MSG for 5 days by D. melanogaster induced adaptive response, but long-term exposure reduced life span of flies. This study may therefore have public health significance in humans, and thus, moderate consumption of MSG is advocated by the authors. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  10. Micelle Delivery of Parthenolide to Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

    PubMed Central

    Baranello, Michael P.; Bauer, Louisa; Jordan, Craig T.; Benoit, Danielle S. W.

    2018-01-01

    Parthenolide (PTL) has shown great promise as a novel anti-leukemia agent as it selectively eliminates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blast cells and leukemia stem cells (LSCs) while sparing normal hematopoietic cells. This success has not yet translated to the clinical setting because PTL is rapidly cleared from blood due to its hydrophobicity. To increase the aqueous solubility of PTL, we previously developed micelles formed from predominantly hydrophobic amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-b-poly(styrene) (e.g., PSMA100-b-PS258) that exhibit robust PTL loading (75%efficiency, 11% w/w capacity) and release PTL over 24 h. Here, PTL-loaded PSMA-b-PS micelles were thoroughly characterized in vitro for PTL delivery to MV4-11 AML cells. Additionally, the mechanisms governing micelle-mediated cytotoxicity were examined in comparison to free PTL. PSMA-b-PS micelles were taken up by MV4-11 cells as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Specifically, MV4-11 cells relied on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, rather than caveolae-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. In addition, PTL-loaded PSMA-b-PS micelles exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxicity towards AML cells and were capable of reducing cell viability by 75% at 10 μM PTL, while unloaded micelles were nontoxic. At 10 μM PTL, the cytotoxicity of PTL-loaded micelles increased gradually over 24 h while free PTL achieved maximal cytotoxicity between 2 and 4 h, demonstrating micelle-mediated delivery of PTL to AML cells and stability of the drug-loaded micelle even in the presence of cells. Both free PTL and PTL-loaded micelles induced NF-κB inhibition at 10 μM PTL doses, demonstrating some mechanistic similarities in cytotoxicity. However, free PTL relied more heavily on exofacial free thiol interactions to induce cytotoxicity than PTL-loaded micelles; free PTL cytotoxicity was reduced by over twofold when cell surface free thiols were depleted, where PTL-loaded micelle doses were unaffected by cell surface thiol modulation. The physical properties, stability, and efficacy of PTL-loaded PSMA-b-PS micelles support further development of a leukemia therapeutic with greater bioavailability and the potential to eliminate LSCs. PMID:29552235

  11. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is inactivated by S-sulfuration in vitro.

    PubMed

    Jarosz, Artur P; Wei, Wanlei; Gauld, James W; Auld, Janeen; Özcan, Filiz; Aslan, Mutay; Mutus, Bulent

    2015-12-01

    Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced enzymatically by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), as well as other enzymes in mammalian tissues. These discoveries have led to the crowning of H2S as yet another toxic gas that serves as a gasotransmitter like NO and CO. H2S is thought to exert its biological effects through its reaction with cysteine thiols in proteins, yielding sulfurated thiol (-SSH) derivatives. One of the first proteins shown to be modified by H2S was glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) [1] where the S-sulfuration of the active site cysteine (Cys 152) resulted in ~7-fold increase in the activity of the enzyme. In the present study we have attempted to reproduce this result with no success. GAPDH in its reduced, or hydrogen peroxide, or glutathione disulfide, or nitrosonium oxidized forms was reacted with sulfide or polysulfides. Sulfide had no effect on reduced GAPDH activity, while polysulfides inhibited GAPDH to ~42% of control. S-sulfuration of GAPDH occurred at Cys 247 after sulfide treatment, Cys 156 and Cys 247 after polysulfide treatment. No evidence of S-sulfuration at active site Cys 152 was discovered. Both sulfide and polysulfide was able to restore the activity of glutathione disulfide oxidized GAPDH, but not to control untreated levels. Treatment of glutathione disulfide oxidized GAPDH with polysulfide also produced S-sulfuration of Cys 156. Treatment of a C156S mutant of GAPDH with sulfide and polysulfide resulted in S-sulfuration of Cys 152, which also caused a decrease and not an increase in enzymatic activity. Computational chemistry shows S-sulfuration of Cys 156 may affect the position of catalytic Cys 152, raising its pKa by 0.5, which may affect the nucleophilicity of Cys 152. The current study raises significant questions about the reported ability of H2S to activate GAPDH by the sulfuration of its active site thiol, and indicates that polysulfide is a stronger protein S-sulfurating agent than sulfide. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated delivery of nano gold-withaferin conjugates for reversal of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and tumor regression.

    PubMed

    Agarwalla, Pritha; Mukherjee, Sudip; Sreedhar, Bojja; Banerjee, Rajkumar

    2016-10-01

    To explore the potential of glucocorticoid receptor-targeted nano-gold formulation as antitumor drug sensitizing agent. Simultaneous conjugation of gold nanoparticle with thiol-modified dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid and anticancer drug withaferin A afforded stable gold nanoparticle-modifed dexamethasone-withaferin A nanoconjugate. This metallic nanoparticle formulation showed glucocorticoid receptor-dependent cancer cell selective cytotoxicity, inhibited growth of aggressive mouse melanoma tumor, reduced mice mortality, while reversing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tumor cells. Same treatment also leads to near-complete downregulation of ABCG2 drug transporter in tumor-associated cells thus attributing it to its drug sensitizing ability. The presently synthesized nanoconjugate holds a great promise to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutics and induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition reversal in tumor cells preventing metastasis.

  13. The Possible Reduction Mechanism of Volatile Sulfur Compounds during Durian Wine Fermentation Verified in Modified Buffers.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yuyun; Fong, Alicia Sarah Yoke Ling; Chua, Jian-Yong; Huang, Dejian; Lee, Pin-Rou; Liu, Shao-Quan

    2018-06-15

    Durian fruit is rich in volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), especially thiols and disulfides, which contribute to its onion-like odor. After fermentation, these VSCs were reduced to trace or undetectable levels in durian wine. The possible reduction mechanism of these VSCs (especially diethyl disulfide and ethanethiol) was investigated in a modified buffer in the presence of sulfite at different pH. An interconversion between diethyl disulfide and ethanethiol was found to be dependent on the pH: the higher the pH, the higher production of ethanethiol. It is suggested that, during durian wine fermentation, disulfides endogenous to durian pulp might be firstly converted into their corresponding thiols in the presence of reductant sulfite formed by yeast. The produced thiols as well as the thiols endogenous to the durian pulp were then removed by the mannoproteins of yeast lees.

  14. Cys Site-Directed Mutagenesis of the Human SLC1A5 (ASCT2) Transporter: Structure/Function Relationships and Crucial Role of Cys467 for Redox Sensing and Glutamine Transport

    PubMed Central

    Scalise, Mariafrancesca; Pochini, Lorena; Console, Lara; Pappacoda, Gilda; Pingitore, Piero; Hedfalk, Kristina; Indiveri, Cesare

    2018-01-01

    The human plasma membrane transporter ASCT2 is responsible for mediating Na- dependent antiport of neutral amino acids. New insights into structure/function relationships were unveiled by a combined approach of recombinant over-expression, site-directed mutagenesis, transport assays in proteoliposomes and bioinformatics. WT and Cys mutants of hASCT2 were produced in P. pastoris and purified for functional assay. The reactivity towards SH reducing and oxidizing agents of WT protein was investigated and opposite effects were revealed; transport activity increased upon treatment with the Cys reducing agent DTE, i.e., when Cys residues were in thiol (reduced) state. Methyl-Hg, which binds to SH groups, was able to inhibit WT and seven out of eight Cys to Ala mutants. On the contrary, C467A loses the sensitivity to both DTE activation and Methyl-Hg inhibition. The C467A mutant showed a Km for Gln one order of magnitude higher than that of WT. Moreover, the C467 residue is localized in the substrate binding region of the protein, as suggested by bioinformatics on the basis of the EAAT1 structure comparison. Taken together, the experimental data allowed identifying C467 residue as crucial for substrate binding and for transport activity modulation of hASCT2. PMID:29495336

  15. Coordination chemistry controls the thiol oxidase activity of the B12-trafficking protein CblC

    PubMed Central

    Li, Zhu; Shanmuganathan, Aranganathan; Ruetz, Markus; Yamada, Kazuhiro; Lesniak, Nicholas A.; Kräutler, Bernhard; Brunold, Thomas C.; Koutmos, Markos; Banerjee, Ruma

    2017-01-01

    The cobalamin or B12 cofactor supports sulfur and one-carbon metabolism and the catabolism of odd-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids, and cholesterol. CblC is a B12-processing enzyme involved in an early cytoplasmic step in the cofactor-trafficking pathway. It catalyzes the glutathione (GSH)-dependent dealkylation of alkylcobalamins and the reductive decyanation of cyanocobalamin. CblC from Caenorhabditis elegans (ceCblC) also exhibits a robust thiol oxidase activity, converting reduced GSH to oxidized GSSG with concomitant scrubbing of ambient dissolved O2. The mechanism of thiol oxidation catalyzed by ceCblC is not known. In this study, we demonstrate that novel coordination chemistry accessible to ceCblC-bound cobalamin supports its thiol oxidase activity via a glutathionyl-cobalamin intermediate. Deglutathionylation of glutathionyl-cobalamin by a second molecule of GSH yields GSSG. The crystal structure of ceCblC provides insights into how architectural differences at the α- and β-faces of cobalamin promote the thiol oxidase activity of ceCblC but mute it in wild-type human CblC. The R161G and R161Q mutations in human CblC unmask its latent thiol oxidase activity and are correlated with increased cellular oxidative stress disease. In summary, we have uncovered key architectural features in the cobalamin-binding pocket that support unusual cob(II)alamin coordination chemistry and enable the thiol oxidase activity of ceCblC. PMID:28442570

  16. In vitro effects of platinum compounds on renal cellular respiration in mice.

    PubMed

    Almarzooqi, Saeeda-S; Alfazari, Ali-S; Abdul-Kader, Hidaya-M; Saraswathiamma, Dhanya; Albawardi, Alia-S; Souid, Abdul-Kader

    2015-01-01

    Cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin are structurally-related compounds, which are commonly used in cancer therapy. Cisplatin (Platinol(®)) has Boxed Warning stating: "Cumulative renal toxicity associated with PLATINOL is severe", while carboplatin and oxaliplatin are less nephrotoxic. These drugs form platinum adducts with cellular DNA. Their bindings to cellular thiols (e.g., glutathione and metallothionein) are known to contribute to drug resistance while thiol depletion augments platinum toxicity. Using phosphorescence oxygen analyzer, this study investigated the effects of platinum drugs on renal cellular respiration (mitochondrial O2 consumption) in the presence and absence of the thiol blocking agent N-ethylmaleimide (used here as a model for thiol depletion). Renal cellular ATP was also determined. Kidney fragments from C57BL/6 mice were incubated at 37 °C in Krebs-Henseleit buffer (gassed with 95% O2:5% CO2) with and without 100 μM platinum drug in the presence and absence of 100 μM N-ethylmaleimide for ≤ 6 h. Platinum drugs alone had no effects on cellular respiration (P ≥ 0.143) or ATP (P ≥ 0.161). N-ethylmaleimide lowered cellular respiration (P ≤ 0.114) and ATP (P = 0.008). The combination of platinum drug and N-ethylmaleimide significantly lowered both cellular respiration (P ≤ 0.006) and ATP (P ≤ 0.003). Incubations with N-ethylmaleimide alone were associated with moderate-to-severe tubular necrosis. Incubations with cisplatin+N-ethylmaleimide vs. cisplatin alone produced similar severities of tubular necrosis. Tubular derangements were more prominent in carboplatin+N-ethylmaleimide vs. carboplatin alone and in oxaliplatin+N-ethylmaleimide vs. oxaliplatin alone. These results demonstrate the adverse events of thiol depletion on platinum-induced nephrotoxicities. The results suggest cellular bioenergetics is a useful surrogate biomarker for assessing drug-induced nephrotoxicities.

  17. Involvement of calcium and calmodulin in oxidative and temperature stress of Amaranthus lividus L. during early germination.

    PubMed

    Bhattacharjee, Soumen

    2009-07-01

    Both heat and chilling caused reduction in membrane protein thiol level and increased accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in 72 hr old germinating tissues (indicators of oxidative stress) and reduced germination and early growth performances. Calcium chelator EGTA [Ethylene glycol-bis (2-aminoethylether)-N, N,N',N, tetra acetic acid] calcium channel blocker LaCI3 (Lanthanum chloride) and calmodulin inhibitor TFP (trifluroperazine) aggravated these effects of heat and chilling and added calcium reversed them. Imposition of heat and chilling stress during early germination also causes accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) like 02(-) and H2O2. Calcium treatment significantly reduced the accumulation of both the toxic ROS, while EGTA, LaCl3 and TFP treatment enhanced the accumulation. Activities of antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) and glutathione reductase (GR) and total thiol content decreased significantly under both heat and chilling stress in germinating Amaranthus seedlings. Seedlings raised with Ca2+ treatment under heat and chilling stress exhibit higher activities of CAT7 GR and APOX and total thiol level than the untreated plants. EGTA, LaCl3 and TFP treatment, on the other hand significantly reduce the activities of all anti-oxidative enzymes and total thiol level. The work clearly supports the view that Ca2+-signalling pathway plays significant role in limiting heat and chilling induced oxidative stress by upregulating antioxidative defense during recovery phase of post-germination event in Amaranthus lividus.

  18. Thiol oxidation by nitrosative stress: Cellular localization in human spermatozoa.

    PubMed

    Cabrillana, María E; Uribe, Pamela; Villegas, Juana V; Álvarez, Juan; Sánchez, Raúl; Fornés, Miguel W

    2016-10-01

    Peroxynitrite is a highly reactive nitrogen species and when it is generated at high levels it causes nitrosative stress, an important cause of impaired sperm function. High levels of peroxynitrite have been shown to correlate with decreased semen quality in infertile men. Thiol groups in sperm are mainly found in enzymes, antioxidant molecules, and structural proteins in the axoneme. Peroxynitrite primarily reacts with thiol groups of cysteine-containing proteins. Although it is well known that peroxynitrite oxidizes sulfhydryl groups in sperm, the subcellular localization of this oxidation remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to establish the subcellular localization of peroxynitrite-induced nitrosative stress in thiol groups and its relation to sperm motility in human spermatozoa. For this purpose, spermatozoa from healthy donors were exposed in vitro to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), a compound which generates peroxynitrite. In order to detect peroxynitrite and reduced thiol groups, the fluorescent probes, dihydrorhodamine 123 and monobromobimane (mBBr), were used respectively. Sperm viability was analyzed by propidium iodide staining. Peroxynitrite generation and thiol redox state were monitored by confocal microscopy whereas sperm viability was evaluated by flow cytometry. Sperm motility was analyzed by CASA using the ISAS(®) system. The results showed that exposure of human spermatozoa to peroxynitrite results in increased thiol oxidation which is mainly localized in the sperm head and principal piece regions. Thiol oxidation was associated with motility loss. The high susceptibility of thiol groups to peroxynitrite-induced oxidation could explain, at least in part, the negative effect of reactive nitrogen species on sperm motility. DHR: dihydrorhodamine 123; mBBr: monobromobimane ONOO(-): peroxynitrite RNS: reactive nitrogen species RFI: relative fluorescence intensity SIN-1: 3-morpholinosydnonimine CASA: Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis PARP: poli ADP ribose polimerasa VCL: curvilinear velocity VSL: straight-line velocity VAP: average path velocity PRDXs: peroxiredoxins ODF: outer dense fiber ODF1: outer dense fiber 1 PI: propidium iodide DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide SD: standard deviation analysis of variance.

  19. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

    PubMed

    Üstündağ, Yasemin; Demirci, Hakan; Balık, Rifat; Erel, Ozcan; Özaydın, Fahri; Kücük, Bilgen; Ertaş, Dilber; Ustunyurt, Emin

    2017-11-27

    Repetitive episodes of hypoxia and reoxygenation during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) resemble an ischemia-reperfusion injury. We aimed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress occurs in pregnant women with OSAS. We also aimed to compare thiol/disulfide homeostasis with ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as markers of ischemia-reperfusion injury in pregnant women with and without OSAS and healthy control. This study included 29 pregnant women with OSAS, 30 women without OSAS in the third trimester applying for periodic examinations, and 30 healthy women. Serum IMA and TAC (using the ferric reducing power of plasma method) were measured. Serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis was determined by a novel automated method. The mean age of the pregnant women with OSAS was 31.0 ± 4.7 years with a mean gestational age of 36.5 ± 3.0 weeks. The mean age of pregnant women without OSAS was 29.8 ± 4.9 years with a mean gestational age of 36.9 ± 2.7 weeks. The mean age of the nonpregnant control group was 29.7 ± 6.4 years. Both native thiol (291 ± 29 μmol/L versus 314 ± 30 μmol/L; p = .018) and total thiol (325 ± 32 versus 350 ± 32, p = .025) levels were lower in pregnant women with OSAS compared to pregnant women without OSAS, respectively (p < .01). This is the first study demonstrating the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in pregnant women with OSAS. Native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in pregnant women with OSAS compared to those without OSAS. However, dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters cannot provide valuable information to discriminate OSAS in pregnant women.

  20. New developments in anti-sickling agents: can drugs directly prevent the polymerization of sickle haemoglobin in vivo?

    PubMed

    Oder, Esther; Safo, Martin K; Abdulmalik, Osheiza; Kato, Gregory J

    2016-10-01

    The hallmark of sickle cell disease is the polymerization of sickle haemoglobin due to a point mutation in the β-globin gene (HBB). Under low oxygen saturation, sickle haemoglobin assumes the tense (T-state) deoxygenated conformation that can form polymers, leading to rigid erythrocytes with impaired blood vessel transit, compounded or initiated by adhesion of erythrocytes to endothelium, neutrophils and platelets. This process results in vessel occlusion and ischaemia, with consequent acute pain, chronic organ damage, morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological agents that stabilize the higher oxygen affinity relaxed state (R-state) and/or destabilize the lower oxygen affinity T-state of haemoglobin have the potential to delay the sickling of circulating red cells by slowing polymerization kinetics. Relevant classes of agents include aromatic aldehydes, thiol derivatives, isothiocyanates and acyl salicylates derivatives. The aromatic aldehyde, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) increases oxygen affinity of sickle haemoglobin and reduces hypoxia-induced sickling in vitro and protects sickle cell mice from effects of hypoxia. It has completed pre-clinical testing and has entered clinical trials as treatment for sickle cell disease. A related molecule, GBT440, has shown R-state stabilization and increased oxygen affinity in preclinical testing. Allosteric modifiers of haemoglobin as direct anti-sickling agents target the fundamental pathophysiological mechanism of sickle cell disease. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  1. Mitochondrial thiol modification by a targeted electrophile inhibits metabolism in breast adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting enzyme activity and protein levels.

    PubMed

    Smith, M Ryan; Vayalil, Praveen K; Zhou, Fen; Benavides, Gloria A; Beggs, Reena R; Golzarian, Hafez; Nijampatnam, Bhavitavya; Oliver, Patsy G; Smith, Robin A J; Murphy, Michael P; Velu, Sadanandan E; Landar, Aimee

    2016-08-01

    Many cancer cells follow an aberrant metabolic program to maintain energy for rapid cell proliferation. Metabolic reprogramming often involves the upregulation of glutaminolysis to generate reducing equivalents for the electron transport chain and amino acids for protein synthesis. Critical enzymes involved in metabolism possess a reactive thiolate group, which can be modified by certain oxidants. In the current study, we show that modification of mitochondrial protein thiols by a model compound, iodobutyl triphenylphosphonium (IBTP), decreased mitochondrial metabolism and ATP in MDA-MB 231 (MB231) breast adenocarcinoma cells up to 6 days after an initial 24h treatment. Mitochondrial thiol modification also depressed oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in a dose-dependent manner to a greater extent than a non-thiol modifying analog, suggesting that thiol reactivity is an important factor in the inhibition of cancer cell metabolism. In non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells, IBTP also decreased OCR; however the extracellular acidification rate was significantly increased at all but the highest concentration (10µM) of IBTP indicating that thiol modification can have significantly different effects on bioenergetics in tumorigenic versus non-tumorigenic cells. ATP and other adenonucleotide levels were also decreased by thiol modification up to 6 days post-treatment, indicating a decreased overall energetic state in MB231 cells. Cellular proliferation of MB231 cells was also inhibited up to 6 days post-treatment with little change to cell viability. Targeted metabolomic analyses revealed that thiol modification caused depletion of both Krebs cycle and glutaminolysis intermediates. Further experiments revealed that the activity of the Krebs cycle enzyme, aconitase, was attenuated in response to thiol modification. Additionally, the inhibition of glutaminolysis corresponded to decreased glutaminase C (GAC) protein levels, although other protein levels were unaffected. This study demonstrates for the first time that mitochondrial thiol modification inhibits metabolism via inhibition of both aconitase and GAC in a breast cancer cell model. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Thioredoxin Selectivity for Thiol-based Redox Regulation of Target Proteins in Chloroplasts*

    PubMed Central

    Yoshida, Keisuke; Hara, Satoshi; Hisabori, Toru

    2015-01-01

    Redox regulation based on the thioredoxin (Trx) system is believed to ensure light-responsive control of various functions in chloroplasts. Five Trx subtypes have been reported to reside in chloroplasts, but their functional diversity in the redox regulation of Trx target proteins remains poorly clarified. To directly address this issue, we studied the Trx-dependent redox shifts of several chloroplast thiol-modulated enzymes in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays using a series of Arabidopsis recombinant proteins provided new insights into Trx selectivity for the redox regulation as well as the underpinning for previous suggestions. Most notably, by combining the discrimination of thiol status with mass spectrometry and activity measurement, we identified an uncharacterized aspect of the reductive activation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase; two redox-active Cys pairs harbored in this enzyme were reduced via distinct utilization of Trxs even within a single polypeptide. In our in vitro assays, Trx-f was effective in reducing all thiol-modulated enzymes analyzed here. We then investigated the in vivo physiological relevance of these in vitro findings, using Arabidopsis wild-type and Trx-f-deficient plants. Photoreduction of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was partially impaired in Trx-f-deficient plants, but the global impact of Trx-f deficiency on the redox behaviors of thiol-modulated enzymes was not as striking as expected from the in vitro data. Our results provide support for the in vivo functionality of the Trx system and also highlight the complexity and plasticity of the chloroplast redox network. PMID:25878252

  3. Adaptive aneuploidy protects against thiol peroxidase deficiency by increasing respiration via key mitochondrial proteins.

    PubMed

    Kaya, Alaattin; Gerashchenko, Maxim V; Seim, Inge; Labarre, Jean; Toledano, Michel B; Gladyshev, Vadim N

    2015-08-25

    Aerobic respiration is a fundamental energy-generating process; however, there is cost associated with living in an oxygen-rich environment, because partially reduced oxygen species can damage cellular components. Organisms evolved enzymes that alleviate this damage and protect the intracellular milieu, most notably thiol peroxidases, which are abundant and conserved enzymes that mediate hydrogen peroxide signaling and act as the first line of defense against oxidants in nearly all living organisms. Deletion of all eight thiol peroxidase genes in yeast (∆8 strain) is not lethal, but results in slow growth and a high mutation rate. Here we characterized mechanisms that allow yeast cells to survive under conditions of thiol peroxidase deficiency. Two independent ∆8 strains increased mitochondrial content, altered mitochondrial distribution, and became dependent on respiration for growth but they were not hypersensitive to H2O2. In addition, both strains independently acquired a second copy of chromosome XI and increased expression of genes encoded by it. Survival of ∆8 cells was dependent on mitochondrial cytochrome-c peroxidase (CCP1) and UTH1, present on chromosome XI. Coexpression of these genes in ∆8 cells led to the elimination of the extra copy of chromosome XI and improved cell growth, whereas deletion of either gene was lethal. Thus, thiol peroxidase deficiency requires dosage compensation of CCP1 and UTH1 via chromosome XI aneuploidy, wherein these proteins support hydroperoxide removal with the reducing equivalents generated by the electron transport chain. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of adaptive aneuploidy counteracting oxidative stress.

  4. Redox regulation of plant S-nitrosoglutathione reductase activity through post-translational modifications of cysteine residues.

    PubMed

    Tichá, Tereza; Lochman, Jan; Činčalová, Lucie; Luhová, Lenka; Petřivalský, Marek

    2017-12-09

    Nitric oxide (NO) is considered as a signalling molecule involved in a variety of important physiological and pathological processes in plant and animal systems. The major pathway of NO reactions in vivo represents S-nitrosation of thiols to form S-nitrosothiols. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is the key enzyme in the degradation pathway of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a low-molecular weight adduct of NO and glutathione. GSNOR indirectly regulates the level of protein S-nitrosothiol in the cells. This study was focused on the dynamic regulation of the activity of plant GSNORs through reversible S-nitrosation and/or oxidative modifications of target cysteine residues. Pre-incubation with NO/NO - donors or hydrogen peroxide resulted in a decreased reductase and dehydrogenase activity of all studied plant GSNORs. Incubation with thiol reducing agent completely reversed inhibitory effects of nitrosative modifications and partially also oxidative inhibition. In biotin-labelled samples, S-nitrosation of plant GSNORs was confirmed after immunodetection and using mass spectrometry S-nitrosation of conserved Cys271 was identified in tomato GSNOR. Negative regulation of constitutive GSNOR activity in vivo by nitrosative or oxidative modifications might present an important mechanism to control GSNO levels, a critical mediator of the downstream signalling effects of NO, as well as for formaldehyde detoxification in dehydrogenase reaction mode. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  5. Design of multimodal degradable hydrogels for controlled therapeutic delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kharkar, Prathamesh Madhav

    Hydrogels are of growing interest for the delivery of therapeutics to specific sites in the body. For localized drug delivery, hydrophilic polymeric precursors often are laden with bioactive moieties and then directly injected to the site of interest for in situ gel formation. The release of physically entrapped cargo is dictated by Fickian diffusion, degradation of the drug carrier, or a combination of both. The goal of this work was to design and characterize degradable hydrogel formulations that are responsive to multiple biologically relevant stimuli for degradation-mediated delivery of cargo molecules such as therapeutic proteins, growth factors, and immunomodulatory agents. We began by demonstrating the use of cleavable click linkages formed by Michael-type addition reactions in conjunction with hydrolytically cleavable functionalities for the degradation of injectable hydrogels by endogenous stimuli for controlled protein release. Specifically, the reaction between maleimides and thiols was utilized for hydrogel formation, where thiol selection dictates the degradability of the resulting linkage under thiol-rich reducing conditions. Relevant microenvironments where degradation would occur in vivo include those rich in glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide that is found at elevated concentrations in carcinoma tissues. Degradation of the hydrogels was monitored with rheometry and volumetric swelling measurements. Arylthiol-based thioether succinimide linkages underwent degradation via click cleavage and thiol exchange reaction in the presence of GSH and via ester hydrolysis, whereas alkylthiol-based thioether succinimide linkages only undergo degradation by only ester hydrolysis. The resulting control over the degradation rate within a reducing microenvironment resulted in 2.5 fold differences in the release profile of the model protein, a fluorescently-labeled bovine serum albumin, from dually degradable hydrogels compared to non-degradable hydrogels, where the thiol exchange reaction facilitated rapid and responsive protein release in the presence of GSH. A photolabile o-nitrobenzyl ether group (o-NB) was subsequently incorporated within the PEG-based, gel-forming monomers to demonstrate cargo release triggered by exogenous stimuli for patient-specific therapies. Upon the application of cytocompatible doses of light, the photolabile o-NB linkage underwent irreversible cleavage yielding ketone and carboxylic acid-based cleavage products. Hydrogel degradation kinetics was characterized in response to externally applied cytocompatible light or GSH in aqueous microenvironments. By incorporating a photodegradable o-nitrobenzyl ether group, a thiol-sensitive succinimide thioether linkage, and ester linkages within the hydrogels, we demonstrated unique control over degradation via surface erosion or bulk degradation mechanisms, respectively, with degradation rate constants ranging from 10-1 min-1 to 10-4 min-1. As a proof of concept, the controlled release of nanobeads from the hydrogel was demonstrated in a preprogrammed and stimuli-responsive fashion. The multimodal degradable hydrogels were then investigated for the local controlled release of small molecular weight proteins, which are of interest for regulating various cellular functions and fates in vivo. Low molecular weight heparin, a highly sulfated polysaccharide was incorporated within the hydrogel network by Michael-type reaction due to its affinity with biologics such as growth factors and immunomodulatory proteins. Incorporation of reduction-sensitive linkages resulted in 2.3 fold differences in the release profile of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in the presence of GSH compared to non-reducing microenvironment. Bioactivity of released FGF-2 was comparable to pristine FGF-2, indicating the ability of the hydrogel to retain bioactivity of cargo molecules during encapsulation and release. Further, preliminary in vivo studies demonstrated control over hydrogel degradation by varying % degradable contents. Collectively, this research developed injectable hydrogels that are responsive to various endogenous and exogenous stimuli, establishing a platform for stimuli-responsive drug delivery carriers.

  6. Novel bioadhesive polymers as intra-articular agents: Chondroitin sulfate-cysteine conjugates.

    PubMed

    Suchaoin, Wongsakorn; Bonengel, Sonja; Griessinger, Julia Anita; Pereira de Sousa, Irene; Hussain, Shah; Huck, Christian W; Bernkop-Schnürch, Andreas

    2016-04-01

    The aim of this study was to generate and characterize a chondroitin sulfate-cysteine conjugate (CS-cys) as a novel bioadhesive agent for intra-articular use. Mucoadhesive properties of synthesized CS-cys were investigated by rheological measurement of polymer-mucus mixture and rotating cylinder method, while bioadhesive features of CS-cys on porcine articular cartilage were evaluated via tensile studies. Thiolation was achieved by attachment of l-cysteine to CS via amide bond formation mediated by carbodiimide as a coupling reagent. The conjugate exhibited 421.17±35.14 μmol free thiol groups per gram polymer. The reduced CS-cys displayed 675.09±39.67 μmol free thiol groups per gram polymer after disulfide bonds reduction using tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride. The increase in dynamic viscosity of thiolated CS due to oxidative disulfide bond formation was demonstrated using capillary viscometer. The combination of CS-cys and mucus led to 4.57-fold increase in dynamic viscosity in comparison with mucus control. Furthermore, adhesion time to porcine mucosa of CS-cys-based test disk was enhanced by 2.48-fold compared to unmodified CS as measured by rotating cylinder method suggesting the interaction between thiomers and mucus gel layer via disulfide bonds formation. Tensile studies of thiolated CS on porcine articular cartilage showed 5.37- and 1.76-fold increase in the total work of adhesion and the maximum detachment force, respectively, in comparison with unmodified CS indicating bioadhesive features of CS-cys. Cytotoxicity of CS-cys was assessed in Caco-2 cells and rat primary articular chondrocytes using MTT and LDH release assay, thereby showing the safety of CS-cys at a concentration of 0.25% (w/v) in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, 0.1% of CS-cys was found non-toxic to rat primary articular chondrocytes. According to these results, CS-cys provides improved bioadhesive properties that might be useful as an intra-articular agent for treatment of osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Conferring specificity in redox pathways by enzymatic thiol/disulfide exchange reactions.

    PubMed

    Netto, Luis Eduardo S; de Oliveira, Marcos Antonio; Tairum, Carlos A; da Silva Neto, José Freire

    2016-01-01

    Thiol-disulfide exchange reactions are highly reversible, displaying nucleophilic substitutions mechanism (S(N)2 type). For aliphatic, low molecular thiols, these reactions are slow, but can attain million times faster rates in enzymatic processes. Thioredoxin (Trx) proteins were the first enzymes described to accelerate thiol-disulfide exchange reactions and their high reactivity is related to the high nucleophilicity of the attacking thiol. Substrate specificity in Trx is achieved by several factors, including polar, hydrophobic, and topological interactions through a groove in the active site. Glutaredoxin (Grx) enzymes also contain the Trx fold, but they do not share amino acid sequence similarity with Trx. A conserved glutathione binding site is a typical feature of Grx that can reduce substrates by two mechanisms (mono and dithiol). The high reactivity of Grx enzymes is related to the very acid pK(a) values of reactive Cys that plays roles as good leaving groups. Therefore, although distinct oxidoreductases catalyze similar thiol–disulfide exchange reactions, their enzymatic mechanisms vary. PDI and DsbA are two other oxidoreductases, but they are involved in disulfide bond formation, instead of disulfide reduction, which is related to the oxidative environment where they are found. PDI enzymes and DsbC are endowed with disulfide isomerase activity, which is related with their tetra-domain architecture. As illustrative description of specificity in thiol-disulfide exchange, redox aspects of transcription activation in bacteria, yeast, and mammals are presented in an evolutionary perspective. Therefore, thiol-disulfide exchange reactions play important roles in conferring specificity to pathways, a required feature for signaling.

  8. Oxidative stress, thiols, and redox profiles.

    PubMed

    Harris, Craig; Hansen, Jason M

    2012-01-01

    Oxidative stress has been recognized as a contributing factor in the toxicity of a large number of developmental toxicants. Traditional definitions of oxidative stress state that a shift in the balance between reduced and oxidized biomolecules within cells, in favor of the latter, result in changes that are deleterious to vital cell functions and can culminate in malformations and death. The glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) redox couple has been the traditional marker of choice for characterization of oxidative stress because of its high concentrations and direct roles as antioxidant and cellular protectant. Steady state depletion of GSH through conjugation, oxidation, or export has often been reported as the sole criteria for invoking oxidative stress and a myriad of associated deleterious consequences. Numerous other, mostly qualitative, observations have also been reported to suggest oxidative stress has occurred but it is not always clear how well they reflect the state of a cell or its functions. Our emerging understanding of redox signaling and the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiols, oxidant molecules, and cellular antioxidants, all acting as second messengers, has prompted a redefinition of oxidative stress based on changes in the real posttranslational protein thiol modifications that are central to redox regulation and control. Thiol-based redox couples such as GSH/GSSG, cysteine/cystine (cys/cySS), thioredoxin-reduced/thioredoxin-oxidized (TRX(red)/TRX(ox)) form independent signaling nodes that selectively regulate developmental events and are closely linked to changes in intracellular redox potentials. Accurate assessment of the consequences of increased free radicals in developing conceptuses should best be made using a battery of measurements including the quantitative assessment of intracellular redox potential, ROS, redox status of biomolecules, and induced changes in specific redox signaling nodes. Methods are presented for a determination of ROS production, soluble thiol oxidation, redox potential, and a proteomic approach to evaluate the thiol oxidation state of specific proteins.

  9. Furoxans (1,2,5-Oxadiazole-N-Oxides) as Novel NO Mimetic Neuroprotective and Procognitive Agents

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

    Schiefer, Isaac T.; VandeVrede, Lawren; Fa

    2012-08-31

    Furoxans (1,2,5-oxadiazole-N-oxides) are thiol-bioactivated NO-mimetics that have not hitherto been studied in the CNS. Incorporation of varied substituents adjacent to the furoxan ring system led to modulation of reactivity toward bioactivation, studied by HPLC-MS/MS analysis of reaction products. Attenuated reactivity unmasked the cytoprotective actions of NO in contrast to the cytotoxic actions of higher NO fluxes reported previously for furoxans. Neuroprotection was observed in primary neuronal cell cultures following oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Neuroprotective activity was observed to correlate with thiol-dependent bioactivation to produce NO{sub 2}{sup -}, but not with depletion of free thiol itself. Neuroprotection was abrogated upon cotreatmentmore » with a sGC inhibitor, ODQ, thus supporting activation of the NO/sGC/CREB signaling cascade by furoxans. Long-term potentiation (LTP), essential for learning and memory, has been shown to be potentiated by NO signaling, therefore, a peptidomimetic furoxan was tested in hippocampal slices treated with oligomeric amyloid-{beta} peptide (A{beta}) and was shown to restore synaptic function. The novel observation of furoxan activity of potential therapeutic use in the CNS warrants further studies.« less

  10. [Evaluation of the treatment with D-chiro-inositol on levels of oxidative stress in PCOS patients].

    PubMed

    De Leo, V; La Marca, A; Cappelli, V; Stendardi, A; Focarelli, R; Musacchio, M C; Piomboni, P

    2012-12-01

    Recent studies on the pathophysiology of infertility have shown that oxidative stress (OS) can be one of the causal factors. The OS is, by definition, an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense systems. It seems that oxidative stress plays an important role in almost all phases of human reproduction. In fact, ROS are involved in the modulation of a large spectrum of reproductive functions such as oocyte maturation, ovarian steroidogenesis, corpus luteum functions and are involved in the processes of fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy, but also in some diseases that cause infertility. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has recently been associated with increased oxidative stress, often put in relation to the syndrome's typical metabolic disorder. Inositol is an intracellular mediator of insulin, currently much used as a therapeutic agent in PCOS. While its main action takes place via insulin sensitization, little is known about the possible effects of other disorders, such as oxidative stress, associated with PCOS. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the effect of D-chiro-inositol on the state of oxidative stress in the follicular fluid of women with PCOS. Follicular fluids were obtained from women who have turned to the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sterility of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University Hospital of Siena and Modena diagnosed with PCOS. The women were treated with D-chiro-inositol (500 mg x 2 per day) for 3 months before being subjected to cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF). The state of oxidative stress was measured by marking of free thiol groups of proteins in the follicular fluid with 3-(N-Maleimidopropionyl)-biocytin. In our study we obtained a lesser presence of free thiol protein groups equal to 77.8% in the follicular fluid of women with PCOS not treated with D-chiro-inositolo, compared to patients who instead have carried out such treatment. These results suggest that in PCOS women there is an increase of the oxidation of thiol groups of proteins follicular, correlated to a progressive increase of the oxidative stress and that the administration of D-chiro-inositol in patients with this disease seems to reduce the oxidation of thiol groups.

  11. Hierarchically porous materials from layer-by-layer photopolymerization of high internal phase emulsions.

    PubMed

    Sušec, Maja; Ligon, Samuel Clark; Stampfl, Jürgen; Liska, Robert; Krajnc, Peter

    2013-06-13

    A combination of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating and additive manufacturing technology (AMT) is applied for creating hierarchical porosity within an acrylate and acrylate/thiol-based polymer network. The photopolymerizable formulation is optimized to produce emulsions with a volume fraction of droplet phase greater than 80 vol%. Kinetic stability of the emulsions is sufficient enough to withstand in-mold curing or computer-controlled layer-by-layer stereolithography without phase separation. By including macroscale cellular cavities within the build file, a level of controlled porosity is created simultaneous to the formation of the porous microstructure of the polyHIPE. The hybrid HIPE-AMT technique thus provides hierarchically porous materials with mechanical properties tailored by the addition of thiol chain transfer agent. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. The evolution of glutathione metabolism in phototrophic microorganisms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, R. C.; Buschbacher, R. M.; Newton, G. L.

    1987-01-01

    Of the many roles ascribed to glutathione (GSH) the one most clearly established is its role in the protection of higher eucaryotes against oxygen toxicity through destruction of thiol-reactive oxygen byproducts. If this is the primary function of GSH then GSH metabolism should have evolved during or after the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. That many bacteria do not produce GSH is consistent with this view. In the present study we have examined the low-molecular-weight thiol composition of a variety of phototrophic microorganisms to ascertain how evolution of GSH production is related to evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. Cells were extracted in the presence of monobromobimane (mBBr) to convert thiols to fluorescent derivatives, which were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Significant levels of GSH were not found in the green bacteria (Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum and Chloroflexus aurantiacus). Substantial levels of GSH were present in the purple bacteria (Chromatium vinosum, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and Rhodocyclus gelatinosa), the cyanobacteria [Anacystis nidulans, Microcoleus chthonoplastes S.G., Nostoc muscorum, Oscillatoria amphigranulata, Oscillatoria limnetica, Oscillatoria sp. (Stinky Spring, Utah), Oscillatoria terebriformis, Plectonema boryanum, and Synechococcus lividus], and eucaryotic algae (Chlorella pyrenoidsa, Chlorella vulgaris, Euglena gracilis, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii). Other thiols measured included cysteine, gamma-glutamylcysteine, thiosulfate, coenzyme A, and sulfide; several unidentified thiols were also detected. Many of the organisms examined also exhibited a marked ability to reduce mBBr to syn-(methyl,methyl)bimane, an ability that was quenched by treatment with 2-pyridyl disulfide or 5,5'-bisdithio-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) prior to reaction with mBBr. These observations indicate the presence of a reducing system capable of electron transfer to mBBr and reduction of reactive disulfides. The distribution of GSH in phototrophic eubacteria indicates that GSH synthesis evolved at or around the time that oxygenic photosynthesis evolved.

  13. Effects of antibody disulfide bond reduction on purification process performance and final drug substance stability

    PubMed Central

    Russell, Brian; Yang, Yanhong; Handlogten, Michael; Hudak, Suzanne; Cao, Mingyan; Wang, Jihong; Robbins, David; Ahuja, Sanjeev; Zhu, Min

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Antibody disulfide bond reduction during monoclonal antibody (mAb) production is a phenomenon that has been attributed to the reducing enzymes from CHO cells acting on the mAb during the harvest process. However, the impact of antibody reduction on the downstream purification process has not been studied. During the production of an IgG2 mAb, antibody reduction was observed in the harvested cell culture fluid (HCCF), resulting in high fragment levels. In addition, aggregate levels increased during the low pH treatment step in the purification process. A correlation between the level of free thiol in the HCCF (as a result of antibody reduction) and aggregation during the low pH step was established, wherein higher levels of free thiol in the starting sample resulted in increased levels of aggregates during low pH treatment. The elevated levels of free thiol were not reduced over the course of purification, resulting in carry‐over of high free thiol content into the formulated drug substance. When the drug substance with high free thiols was monitored for product degradation at room temperature and 2–8°C, faster rates of aggregation were observed compared to the drug substance generated from HCCF that was purified immediately after harvest. Further, when antibody reduction mitigations (e.g., chilling, aeration, and addition of cystine) were applied, HCCF could be held for an extended period of time while providing the same product quality/stability as material that had been purified immediately after harvest. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1264–1274. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology and Bioengineering Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. PMID:28186329

  14. Glutamine Supplementation Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Disruption of Apical Junctional Complexes in Colonic Epithelium and Ameliorates Gut Barrier Dysfunction and Fatty Liver in Mice

    PubMed Central

    Chaudhry, Kamaljit K.; Shukla, Pradeep K.; Mir, Hina; Manda, Bhargavi; Gangwar, Ruchika; Yadav, Nikki; McMullen, Megan; Nagy, Laura E.; Rao, RadhaKrishna

    2015-01-01

    Previous in vitro studies showed that glutamine (Gln) prevents acetaldehyde-induced disruption of tight junctions and adherens junctions in Caco-2 cell monolayers and human colonic mucosa. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of Gln supplementation on ethanol-induced gut barrier dysfunction and liver injury in mice in vivo. Ethanol feeding caused a significant increase in inulin permeability in distal colon. Elevated permeability was associated with a redistribution of tight junction and adherens junction proteins and depletion of detergent-insoluble fractions of these proteins, suggesting that ethanol disrupts apical junctional complexes in colonic epithelium and increases paracellular permeability. Ethanol-induced increase in colonic mucosal permeability and disruption of junctional complexes were most severe in mice fed Gln-free diet. Gln supplementation attenuated ethanol-induced mucosal permeability and disruption of tight junctions and adherens junctions in a dose-dependent manner, indicating the potential role of glutamine in nutritional intervention to alcoholic tissue injury. Gln supplementation dose-dependently elevated reduced-protein thiols in colon without affecting the level of oxidized-protein thiols. Ethanol feeding depleted reduced protein thiols and elevated oxidized protein thiols. Ethanol-induced protein thiol oxidation was most severe in mice fed Gln-free diet and absent in mice fed Gln-supplemented diet, suggesting that antioxidant effect is one of the likely mechanisms involved in Gln-mediated amelioration of ethanol-induced gut barrier dysfunction. Ethanol feeding elevated plasma transaminase and liver triglyceride, which was accompanied by histopathologic lesions in the liver; ethanol-induced liver damage was attenuated by Gln supplementation. These results indicate that Gln supplementation ameliorates alcohol-induced gut and liver injury. PMID:26365579

  15. A Novel Oxidative Stress Mediator in Acute Appendicitis: Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis

    PubMed Central

    Turan, Umit; Kuvvetli, Adnan; Kilavuz, Huseyin; Karakaya, Burak; Ozaltun, Pınar; Alısık, Murat; Erel, Ozcan

    2016-01-01

    Aim. To investigate the role of a novel oxidative stress marker, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis (AA). Methods. In this study, seventy-one (43 male and 28 female) patients diagnosed with AA and 71 (30 male and 41 female) healthy volunteers were included. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP), and thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters (native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, native thiol/total thiol, and disulphide/total thiol ratios) were compared between the groups. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was determined by a newly developed method by Erel and Neselioglu. Results. The native thiol, total thiol, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio levels were statistically significantly decreased in the AA compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Disulphide level and the ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were higher in the AA group than in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation of CRP with native thiol, total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratio while there was a positive correlation of CRP with disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol in the AA group. In the stepwise regression model, risk factors as disulphide/native thiol (OR = 1.368; p = 0.018) and CRP (OR = 1.635; p = 0.003) were determined as predictors of perforated appendicitis compared to the nonperforated group. Conclusion. This is the first study examining the thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a diagnostic aid in AA and establishing thiol/disulphide homeostatis balance shifted towards the disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of this novel oxidative stress marker in AA. PMID:27642237

  16. Selenite Protection of Tellurite Toxicity Toward Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Vrionis, Helen A.; Wang, Siyuan; Haslam, Bronwyn; Turner, Raymond J.

    2015-01-01

    In this work the influence of selenite on metal resistance in Escherichia coli was examined. Both synergistic and antagonistic resistance and toxicities were found upon co exposure with selenite. In wild type cells co-exposure to selenite had little effect on arsenic resistance, decreased resistance to cadmium and mercury but led to a dramatically increased resistance to tellurite of 32-fold. Due to the potential importance of thiol chemistry in metal biochemistry, deletion strains in γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (key step in glutathione biosynthesis, encoded by gshA), thioredoxin (trxA), glutaredoxin (grxA), glutathione oxidoreductase (gor), and the periplasmic glutathione transporter (cydD) were also evaluated for resistance to various metals in the presence of selenite. The protective effect of selenite on tellurite toxicity was seen in several of the mutants and was pronounced in the gshA mutant were resistance to tellurite was increased up to 1000-fold relative to growth in the absence of selenite. Thiol oxidation studies revealed a faster rate of loss of reduced thiol content in the cell with selenite than with tellurite, indicating differential thiol reactivity. Selenite addition resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production equivalent to levels associated with H2O2 addition. Tellurite addition resulted in considerably lower ROS generation while vanadate and chromate treatment did not increase ROS production above that of background. This work shows increased resistance toward most oxyanions in mutants of thiol redox suggesting that metalloid reaction with thiol components such as glutathione actually enhances toxicity of some metalloids. PMID:26732755

  17. Platinum-Induced Ototoxicity in Children: A Consensus Review on Mechanisms, Predisposition, and Protection, Including a New International Society of Pediatric Oncology Boston Ototoxicity Scale

    PubMed Central

    Brock, Penelope R.; Knight, Kristin R.; Freyer, David R.; Campbell, Kathleen C.M.; Steyger, Peter S.; Blakley, Brian W.; Rassekh, Shahrad R.; Chang, Kay W.; Fligor, Brian J.; Rajput, Kaukab; Sullivan, Michael; Neuwelt, Edward A.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose The platinum chemotherapy agents cisplatin and carboplatin are widely used in the treatment of adult and pediatric cancers. Cisplatin causes hearing loss in at least 60% of pediatric patients. Reducing cisplatin and high-dose carboplatin ototoxicity without reducing efficacy is important. Patients and Methods This review summarizes recommendations made at the 42nd Congress of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) in Boston, October 21-24, 2010, reflecting input from international basic scientists, pediatric oncologists, otolaryngologists, oncology nurses, audiologists, and neurosurgeons to develop and advance research and clinical trials for otoprotection. Results Platinum initially impairs hearing in the high frequencies and progresses to lower frequencies with increasing cumulative dose. Genes involved in drug transport, metabolism, and DNA repair regulate platinum toxicities. Otoprotection can be achieved by acting on several these pathways and generally involves antioxidant thiol agents. Otoprotection is a strategy being explored to decrease hearing loss while maintaining dose intensity or allowing dose escalation, but it has the potential to interfere with tumoricidal effects. Route of administration and optimal timing relative to platinum therapy are critical issues. In addition, international standards for grading and comparing ototoxicity are essential to the success of prospective pediatric trials aimed at reducing platinum-induced hearing loss. Conclusion Collaborative prospective basic and clinical trial research is needed to reduce the incidence of irreversible platinum-induced hearing loss, and optimize cancer control. Wide use of the new internationally agreed-on SIOP Boston ototoxicity scale in current and future otoprotection trials should help facilitate this goal. PMID:22547603

  18. Progressing single biomolecule force spectroscopy measurements for the screening of DNA binding agents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Wenke; Barbagallo, Romina; Madden, Claire; Roberts, Clive J.; Woolford, Alison; Allen, Stephanie

    2005-10-01

    Recent studies have indicated that the force-extension properties of single molecules of double stranded (ds) DNA are sensitive to the presence of small molecule DNA binding agents, and also to their mode of binding. These observations raise the possibility of using this approach as a highly sensitive tool for the screening of such agents. However, particularly for studies employing the atomic force microscope (AFM), several non-trivial barriers hinder the progress of this approach to the non-specialist arena and hence also the full realization of this possibility. In this paper, we therefore address a series of key reproducibility and metrological issues associated with this type of measurement. Specifically, we present an improved immobilization method that covalently anchors one end (5' end) of a dual labelled (5'-thiol, 3'-biotin) p53 DNA molecule onto a gold substrate via gold-thiol chemistry, whilst the biotinylated 3' end is available for 'pick-up' using a streptavidin modified AFM tip. We also show that co-surface immobilization of DNA with 6-mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH) can also lead to a further increase the measured contour length. We demonstrate the impact of these improved protocols through the observation of the cooperative transition plateau in a DNA fragment of approximately 118 bp, a significantly smaller fragment than previously investigated. The results of a comparative study of the effects of a model minor groove binder (Hoechst 33258) and an intercalating drug (proflavine), alone, as a mixture and under different buffer conditions, are also presented.

  19. Sulfur alleviates arsenic toxicity by reducing its accumulation and modulating proteome, amino acids and thiol metabolism in rice leaves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dixit, Garima; Singh, Amit Pal; Kumar, Amit; Dwivedi, Sanjay; Deeba, Farah; Kumar, Smita; Suman, Shankar; Adhikari, Bijan; Shukla, Yogeshwar; Trivedi, Prabodh Kumar; Pandey, Vivek; Tripathi, Rudra Deo

    2015-11-01

    Arsenic (As) contamination of water is a global concern and rice consumption is the biggest dietary exposure to human posing carcinogenic risks, predominantly in Asia. Sulfur (S) is involved in di-sulfide linkage in many proteins and plays crucial role in As detoxification. Present study explores role of variable S supply on rice leaf proteome, its inclination towards amino acids (AA) profile and non protein thiols under arsenite exposure. Analysis of 282 detected proteins on 2-DE gel revealed 113 differentially expressed proteins, out of which 80 were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF. The identified proteins were mostly involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle, AA biosynthesis, photosynthesis, protein metabolism, stress and energy metabolism. Among these, glycolytic enzymes play a major role in AA biosynthesis that leads to change in AAs profiling. Proteins of glycolytic pathway, photosynthesis and energy metabolism were also validated by western blot analysis. Conclusively S supplementation reduced the As accumulation in shoot positively skewed thiol metabolism and glycolysis towards AA accumulation under AsIII stress.

  20. The evolution of glutathione metabolism in phototrophic microorganisms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, Robert C.; Buschbacher, Ralph M.; Newton, Gerald L.

    1988-01-01

    The low molecular weight thiol composition of a variety of phototropic microorganisms is examined in order to ascertain how evolution of glutathione (GSH) production is related to the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. Cells were extracted in the presence of monobromobimane (mBBr) to convert thiols (RSH) to fluorescent derivatives (RSmB) which were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Significant levels of GSH were not found in green sulfur bacteria. Substantial levels were present in purple bacteria, cyanobacteria, and eukaryotic algae. Other thiols measured included cysteine, gamma-glutamylcysteine, thiosulfate, coenzyme A, and sulfide. Many of the organisms also exhibited a marked ability to reduce mBBr to syn-(methyl,methyl)bimane, an ability which was quenched by treatment with 2-pyridyl disulfide or 5,5 prime-bisdithio - (2-nitrobenzoic acid) prior to reaction with mBBr. These observations indicate the presence of a reducing system capable of electron transfer to mBBr and reduction of reactive disulfides. The distribution of GSH in phototropic eubacteria indicates that GSH synthesis evolved at or around the time that oxygenic photosynthesis evolved.

  1. Dissolved low-molecular weight thiol concentrations from the U.S. GEOTRACES North Atlantic Ocean zonal transect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Swarr, Gretchen J.; Kading, Tristan; Lamborg, Carl H.; Hammerschmidt, Chad R.; Bowman, Katlin L.

    2016-10-01

    Low-molecular weight thiols, including cysteine and glutathione, are biomolecules involved in a variety of metabolic pathways and act as important antioxidant and metal buffering agents. In this last capacity, they represent a potential mechanism for modulating the bioavailability and biogeochemistry of many trace elements in the ocean, particularly for chalcophilic elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag and Hg). For this reason, and in the context of the international GEOTRACES program that seeks to understand the biogeochemistry of trace elements in the ocean, we measured the concentration of individual dissolved low-molecular weight thiols during the U.S. GEOTRACES North Atlantic Zonal Transect (USGNAZT). Only two thiols were identified, cysteine and glutathione, in contrast to results from the northeast subarctic Pacific Ocean, where the dipeptides glycine-cysteine and arginine-cysteine were also present and γ-glutamylcysteine was dominant. Concentrations of cysteine and glutathione in the North Atlantic Ocean were lower than in the Pacific and ranged from below detection ( 0.01 nM) to 0.61 nM of cysteine and up to 1.0 nM of glutathione, with cysteine generally more abundant than glutathione. Vertical profiles of cysteine and glutathione were broadly consistent with their biological production, being more abundant in surface water and usually below detection at depths greater than about 200 m. Subsurface concentration maxima, often co-incident with the deep chlorophyll maximum, were frequently observed but not universal. We conclude that cysteine and glutathione do not make up significant portions of complexation capacity for Cu and Zn in the upper open ocean but could be important for Cd, Hg, and potentially other chalcophiles. Extremely low concentrations of cysteine and glutathione in deep water suggest that higher molecular-weight thiols are a more important ligand class for chalcophiles in that portion of the ocean.

  2. Investigation of thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

    PubMed

    Akbas, Ayse; Kilinc, Fadime; Sener, Sertac; Aktaş, Akın; Baran, Pervin; Ergin, Merve

    2017-09-01

    Thiol-disulphide balance plays a major role in health and diseases. This balance may be disrupted by various diseases. We aimed to determine status of the effect of thiol-disulphide balance in urticaria. We aimed to investigate the thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria (AUP) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Study included 53 AUP and 47 healthy controls plus 57 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSUP) and 57 healthy controls. Levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols were evaluated in plasma using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Ratios of disulphides/total thiols, disulphides/native thiols and native thiols/total thiols were calculated. For AU, there was no statistical difference compared to control group in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols. For CSU, however, there was an increase in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols and the ratio of thiol/disulphide in favour of disulphide. Thiol-disulphide balance was not affected by AU but shifted towards to disulphide in CSU indicating the presence of oxidative stress (OS).

  3. Mechanism of Sirt1 NAD+-dependent Protein Deacetylase Inhibition by Cysteine S-Nitrosation*

    PubMed Central

    Kalous, Kelsey S.; Wynia-Smith, Sarah L.; Olp, Michael D.

    2016-01-01

    The sirtuin family of proteins catalyze the NAD+-dependent deacylation of acyl-lysine residues. Humans encode seven sirtuins (Sirt1–7), and recent studies have suggested that post-translational modification of Sirt1 by cysteine S-nitrosation correlates with increased acetylation of Sirt1 deacetylase substrates. However, the mechanism of Sirt1 inhibition by S-nitrosation was unknown. Here, we show that Sirt1 is transnitrosated and inhibited by the physiologically relevant nitrosothiol S-nitrosoglutathione. Steady-state kinetic analyses and binding assays were consistent with Sirt1 S-nitrosation inhibiting binding of both the NAD+ and acetyl-lysine substrates. Sirt1 S-nitrosation correlated with Zn2+ release from the conserved sirtuin Zn2+-tetrathiolate and a loss of α-helical structure without overall thermal destabilization of the enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that Zn2+ loss due to Sirt1 S-nitrosation results in repositioning of the tetrathiolate subdomain away from the rest of the catalytic domain, thereby disrupting the NAD+ and acetyl-lysine-binding sites. Sirt1 S-nitrosation was reversed upon exposure to the thiol-based reducing agents, including physiologically relevant concentrations of the cellular reducing agent glutathione. Reversal of S-nitrosation resulted in full restoration of Sirt1 activity only in the presence of Zn2+, consistent with S-nitrosation of the Zn2+-tetrathiolate as the primary source of Sirt1 inhibition upon S-nitrosoglutathione treatment. PMID:27756843

  4. Ethanol Attenuates Histiotrophic Nutrition Pathways and Alters the Intracellular Redox Environment and Thiol Proteome during Rat Organogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Jilek, Joseph L.; Sant, Karilyn E.; Cho, Katherine H.; Reed, Matthew S.; Pohl, Jan; Hansen, Jason M.; Harris, Craig

    2015-01-01

    Ethanol (EtOH) is a reactive oxygen-generating teratogen involved in the etiology of structural and functional developmental defects. Embryonic nutrition, redox environment, and changes in the thiol proteome following EtOH exposures (1.56.0 mg/ml) were studied in rat whole embryo culture. Glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys) concentrations with their respective intracellular redox potentials (Eh) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. EtOH reduced GSH and Cys concentrations in embryo (EMB) and visceral yolk sac (VYS) tissues, and also in yolk sac and amniotic fluids. These changes produced greater oxidation as indicated by increasingly positive Eh values. EtOH reduced histiotrophic nutrition pathway activities as measured by the clearance of fluorescin isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin from culture media. A significant decrease in total FITC clearance was observed at all concentrations, reaching approximately 50% at the highest dose. EtOH-induced changes to the thiol proteome were measured in EMBs and VYSs using isotope-coded affinity tags. Decreased concentrations for specific proteins from cytoskeletal dynamics and endocytosis pathways (α-actinin, α-tubulin, cubilin, and actin-related protein 2); nuclear translocation (Ran and RanBP1); and maintenance of receptor-mediated endocytosis (cubilin) were observed. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis also identified a decrease in ribosomal proteins in both EMB and VYS. Results show that EtOH interferes with nutrient uptake to reduce availability of amino acids and micronutrients required by the conceptus. Intracellular antioxidants such as GSH and Cys are depleted following EtOH and Eh values increase. Thiol proteome analysis in the EMB and VYS show selectively altered actin/cytoskeleton, endocytosis, ribosome biogenesis and function, nuclear transport, and stress-related responses. PMID:26185205

  5. Saturation Fluorescence Labeling of Proteins for Proteomic Analyses

    PubMed Central

    Pretzer, Elizabeth; Wiktorowicz, John E.

    2008-01-01

    We present here an optimized and cost-effective approach to saturation fluorescence labeling of protein thiols for proteomic analysis. We investigated a number of conditions and reagent concentrations including a disulfide reducing agent (TCEP), pH, incubation time, linearity of labeling, and saturating dye: protein thiol ratio with protein standards to gauge specific and non-specific labeling. Efficacy of labeling under these conditions was quantified using specific fluorescence estimation, defined as the ratio of fluorescence pixel intensities and Coomassie-stained pixel intensities of bands after digital imaging. Factors leading to specific vs. non-specific labeling in the presence of thiourea are also discussed. We have found that reproducible saturation of available Cys residues of the proteins used as labeling standards (human carbonic anhydrase I, enolase, α-lactalbumin) is achieved at 50-100-fold excess of the uncharged maleimide-functionalized BODIPY™ dyes over Cys. We confirm our previous findings and those of others that the maleimide dyes are not impacted by the presence of 2M thiourea. Moreover, we establish that 2 mM TCEP used as reductant is optimal. We also establish further that labeling is optimal at pH 7.5 and complete after 30 min. Low non-specific labeling was gauged by the inclusion of non-Cys containing proteins (horse myoglobin, bovine carbonic anhydrase) to the labeling mixture. We also show that the dye exhibits little to no effect on the two dimensional mobilities of labeled proteins derived from cells. PMID:18191033

  6. Charge Retention by Monodisperse Gold Clusters on Surfaces Prepared Using Soft Landing of Mass Selected Ions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnson, Grant; Priest, Thomas; Laskin, Julia

    2012-02-01

    Monodisperse gold clusters have been prepared on surfaces in different charge states through soft landing of mass-selected ions. Gold clusters were synthesized in methanol solution by reduction of a gold precursor with a weak reducing agent in the presence of a diphosphine capping ligand. Electrospray ionization was used to introduce the clusters into the gas-phase and mass-selection was employed to isolate a single ionic cluster species which was delivered to surfaces at well controlled kinetic energies. Using in-situ time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) it is demonstrated that the cluster retains its 3+ charge state when soft landed onto the surface of a fluorinated self assembled monolayer on gold. In contrast, when deposited onto carboxylic acid terminated and conventional alkyl thiol surfaces on gold the clusters exhibit larger relative abundances of the 2+ and 1+ charge states, respectively. The kinetics of charge reduction on the surface have been investigated using in-situ Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance SIMS. It is shown that an extremely slow interfacial charge reduction occurs on the fluorinated monolayer surface while an almost instantaneous neutralization takes place on the surface of the alkyl thiol monolayer. Our results demonstrate that the size and charge state of small gold clusters on surfaces, both of which exert a dramatic influence on their chemical and physical properties, may be tuned through soft landing of mass-selected ions onto selected substrates.

  7. Effect of Thiols, Zinc, and Redox Conditions on Hg Uptake in Shewanella oneidensis

    DOE PAGES

    Szczuka, Aleksandra; Morel, Francois M. M.; Schaefer, Jeffra K.

    2015-05-18

    Mercury uptake in bacteria represents a key first step in the production and accumulation Of methylmercury in biota. Previous experiments with mercury methylating bacteria have shown that Hg uptake is enhanced by some thiols, in particular cysteine, and that it is an energy-dependent process through heavy Metal TA transporters. In this study, we examine Hg uptake in the nonmethylating facultative aerobe, Shewanella oneidensis, under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Our results demonstrate similar characteristics of the Hg uptake system to those of the Hg methylating strains: uptake is enhanced in the presence of some thiols but not others; uptake ismore » energy dependent as evidenced by inhibition by a protonophore; and uptake is inhibited by high Zn(II) concentrations. Initial cellular uptake rates in S. oneidensis were remarkably similar under aerobic and fumarate-reducing conditions. In conclusion, these data support a similar Hg(II) uptake mechanism within the proteobacteria of accidental Hg(II) transport through heavy metal transporters with similar rates of uptake but differences in the ability to take up Hg bound to different thiols.« less

  8. Reducing effects of polyphenols on metmyoglobin and the in vitro regeneration of bright meat color by polyphenols in the presence of cysteine.

    PubMed

    Miura, Yukari; Inai, Miyuki; Honda, Sari; Masuda, Akiko; Masuda, Toshiya

    2014-10-01

    The effect of polyphenols and related phenolic compounds on the reduction of metmyoglobin (MetMb) to oxymyoglobin (MbO2), in the presence of cysteine, was investigated. Caffeic acid, dihydrocaffeic acid, and hydroxtyrosol (600 μmol/L) did not show any reducing activity individually. However, their highly potent activity in the reduction of MetMb to MbO2 was observed in the presence of equimolar amounts of cysteine. On the basis of the analytical results for the redox reaction products generated during the MetMb-reducing reaction of caffeic acid, we proposed a mechanism for the polyphenol-mediated reduction of MetMb. As per the proposed mechanism, the antioxidant polyphenols having a catechol substructure can effectively reduce MetMb to MbO2 with chemical assistance from nucleophilic reactive thiol compounds such as cysteine. Moreover, cysteine-coupled polyphenols such as cysteinylcaffeic acids (which are coupling products of caffeic acid and cysteine) can be used as preserving agents for retaining the fresh meat color, because of their powerful reducing effect on MetMb. The reduction of MetMb to MbO2 changes the color of meat from brown to the more desirable bright red.

  9. Chiral mercaptoacetamides display enantioselective inhibition of histone deacetylase 6 and exhibit neuroprotection in cortical neuron models of oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Kalin, Jay H; Zhang, Hankun; Gaudrel-Grosay, Sophie; Vistoli, Giulio; Kozikowski, Alan P

    2012-03-05

    Mercaptoacetamide-based ligands have been designed as a new class of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for possible use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The thiol group of these compounds provides a key binding element for interaction with the catalytic zinc ion, and thus differs from the more typically employed hydroxamic acid based zinc binding groups. Herein we disclose the chemistry and biology of some substituted mercaptoacetamides with the intention of increasing HDAC6 isoform selectivity while maintaining potency similar to their hydroxamic acid analogues. The introduction of a stereocenter α to the thiol group was found to have a considerable impact on HDAC inhibitor potency. These new compounds were also profiled for their therapeutic potential in an in vitro model of stress-induced neuronal injury and were found to act as nontoxic neuroprotective agents. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Plant nutraceuticals as antimicrobial agents in food preservation: terpenoids, polyphenols and thiols.

    PubMed

    Gutiérrez-Del-Río, Ignacio; Fernández, Javier; Lombó, Felipe

    2018-05-16

    Synthetic food additives generate a negative perception in consumers. Therefore, food manufacturers search for safer natural alternatives as those involving phytochemicals and plant essential oils. These bioactives have antimicrobial activities widely proved in in vitro tests. Foodborne diseases cause thousands of deaths and millions of infections every year, mainly due to pathogenic bacteria as Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. This review summarizes industrially interesting antimicrobial bioactivities, as well as their mechanisms of action, for three main types of plant nutraceuticals, terpenoids (as carnosic acid), polyphenols (as quercetin) and thiols (as allicin), which are important constituents of plant essential oils with a broad range of antimicrobial effects. These phytochemicals are widely distributed in fruits and vegetables and are really useful in food preservation as they inhibit microbial growth. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Environment friendly approach for size controllable synthesis of biocompatible Silver nanoparticles using diastase.

    PubMed

    Maddinedi, Sireesh Babu; Mandal, Badal Kumar; Anna, Kiran Kumar

    2017-01-01

    A green, facile method for the size selective synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using diastase as green reducing and stabilizing agent is reported. The thiol groups present in the diastase are mainly responsible for the rapid reaction rate of silver nanoparticles synthesis. The variation in the size and morphology of AgNPs were studied by changing the pH of diastase. The prepared silver nanoparticles were characterized by using UV-vis, XRD, FTIR, TEM and SAED. The FTIR analysis revealed the stabilization of diastase molecules on the surface of AgNPs. Additionally, in-vitro cytotoxicity experiments concluded that the cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized AgNPs towards mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell lines is dose and size dependent. Furthermore, the present method is an alternative to the traditional chemical methods of size controlled AgNPs synthesis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Dual-Responsive Molecular Probe for Tumor Targeted Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy

    PubMed Central

    Meng, Xiaoqing; Yang, Yueting; Zhou, Lihua; Zhang, li; Lv, Yalin; Li, Sanpeng; Wu, Yayun; Zheng, Mingbin; Li, Wenjun; Gao, Guanhui; Deng, Guanjun; Jiang, Tao; Ni, Dapeng; Gong, Ping; Cai, Lintao

    2017-01-01

    The precision oncology significantly relies on the development of multifunctional agents to integrate tumor targeting, imaging and therapeutics. In this study, a first small-molecule theranostic probe, RhoSSCy is constructed by conjugating 5′-carboxyrhodamines (Rho) and heptamethine cyanine IR765 (Cy) using a reducible disulfide linker and pH tunable amino-group to realize thiols/pH dual sensing. In vitro experiments verify that RhoSSCy is highly sensitive for quantitative analysis and imaging intracellular pH gradient and biothiols. Furthermore, RhoSSCy shows superb tumor targeted dual-modal imaging via near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) and photoacoustic (PA). Importantly, RhoSSCy also induces strongly reactive oxygen species for tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) with robust antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. Such versatile small-molecule theranostic probe may be promising for tumor targeted imaging and precision therapy. PMID:28638467

  13. Polyisobutylene chain end transformations: Block copolymer synthesis and click chemistry functionalizations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Magenau, Andrew Jackson David

    The primary objectives of this research were twofold: (1) development of synthetic procedures for combining quasiliving carbocationic polymerization (QLCCP) of isobutylene (IB) and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization for block copolymer synthesis; (2) utilization of efficient, robust, and modular chemistries for facile functionalization of polyisobutylene (PIB). In the first study block copolymers consisting of PIB, and either PMMA or PS block segments, were synthesized by a site transformation approach combining living cationic and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. The initial PIB block was synthesized via quasiliving cationic polymerization using the TMPCl/TiCl4 initiation system and was subsequently converted into a hydroxylterminated PIB. Site transformation of the hydroxyl-terminated PIB into a macro chain transfer agent (PIB-CTA) was accomplished by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide/dimethylaminopyridine-catalyzed esterification with 4-cyano-4-(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl)pentanoic acid. In the second study another site transformation approach was developed to synthesize a novel block copolymer, composed of PIB and PNIPAM segments. The PIB block was prepared via quasiliving cationic polymerization and end functionalized by in-situ quenching to yield telechelic halogen-terminated PIB. Azido functionality was obtained by displacement of the terminal halogen through nucleophilic substitution, which was confirmed by both 1H and 13C NMR. Coupling of an alkyne-functional chain transfer agent (CTA) to azido PIB was successfully accomplished through a copper catalyzed click reaction. Structure of the resulting PIB-based macro-CTA was verified with 1H NMR, FTIR, and GPC; whereas coupling reaction kinetics were monitored by real time variable temperature (VT) 1H NMR. In a third study, a click chemistry functionalization procedure was developed based upon the azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. 1-(o-Azidoalkyl)pyrrolyl-terminated PIB was successfully synthesized both by substitution of the terminal halide of 1-(o-haloalkyl)pyrrolyl-terminated PIB with sodium azide and by in situ quenching of quasiliving PIB with a 1-(o-azidoalkyl)pyrrole. GPC indicated the absence of coupled PIB under optimized conditions, confirming exclusive mono-substitution on each pyrrole ring. In a fourth study, radical thiol-ene hydrothiolation "Click" chemistry was explored and adapted to easily and rapidly modify exo -olefin PIB with an array of thiol compounds bearing useful functionalities, including primary halogen, primary amine, primary hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid. The thiol-ene "click" procedure was shown to be applicable to both mono and difunctional exo-olefin polyisobutylene. Telechelic mono- and difunctional exo-olefin PIBs were synthesized via quasiliving cationic polymerization followed by quenching with the hindered amine, 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidine. Lower reaction temperatures were found to increase exo-olefin conversion to near quantitative amounts. In the fifth study, thiol-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB-SH) was synthesized by reaction of thiourea with alpha,o-bromine-terminated PIB in a three step one-pot procedure. First the alkylisothiouronium salt was produced using a 1:1 (v:v) DMF:heptane cosolvent mixture at 90°C. Hydrolysis of the salt by aqueous base produced thiolate chain ends, which were then acidified to form the desired thiol functional group. An extension of this reaction was performed by a sequential thiol-ene/thiol-yne procedure to produce tetra-hydroxy functionalized PIB. 1H NMR was used to confirm formation of both alkyne and tetrahydroxyl functional species. Further utility of PIB-SH was demonstrated by base catalyzed thiol-isocyanate reactions. A model reaction was conducted with phenyl isocyanate in THF using triethylamine as the catalyst. Last, conversion of PIB-SH directly into a RAFT macro-CTA was accomplished, as shown by 1H NMR, by treatment of PIB-SH with triethylamine in carbon disulfide and subsequent alkylation with 2-bromopropionic acid. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

  14. Simultaneous determination of albumin and low-molecular-mass thiols in plasma by HPLC with UV detection.

    PubMed

    Borowczyk, Kamila; Wyszczelska-Rokiel, Monika; Kubalczyk, Paweł; Głowacki, Rafał

    2015-02-15

    In this paper, we describe a simple and robust HPLC based method for determination of total low- and high-molecular-mass thiols, protein S-linked thiols and reduced albumin in plasma. The method is based on derivatization of analytes with 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate, separation and quantification by reversed-phase liquid chromatography followed by UV detection. Disulfides were converted to their thiol counterparts by reductive cleavage with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine. Linearity in detector response for total thiols was observed over the range of 1-40 μmol L(-1) for Hcy and glutathione (GSH), 5-100 μmol L(-1) for Cys-Gly, 20-300 μmol L(-1) for Cys and 3.1-37.5 μmol L(-1) (0.2-2.4gL(-1)) for human serum albumin (HSA). For the protein S-bound forms these values were as follows: 0.5-30 μmol L(-1) for Hcy and GSH, 2.5-60 μmol L(-1) for Cys-Gly and 5-200 μmol L(-1) for Cys. The LOQs for total HSA, Cys, Hcy, Cys-Gly and GSH were 0.5, 0.2, 0.4, 0.3 and 0.4 μmol L(-1), respectively. The estimated validation parameters for all analytes are more than sufficient to allow the analytical method to be used for monitoring of the total and protein bound thiols as well as redox status of HSA in plasma. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Thermoinactivation Mechanism of Glucose Isomerase

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Leng Hong; Saville, Bradley A.

    In this article, the mechanisms of thermoinactivation of glucose isomerase (GI) from Streptomyces rubiginosus (in soluble and immobilized forms) were investigated, particularly the contributions of thiol oxidation of the enzyme's cysteine residue and a "Maillard-like" reaction between the enzyme and sugars in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Soluble GI (SGI) was successfully immobilized on silica gel (13.5 μm particle size), with an activity yield between 20 and 40%. The immobilized GI (IGI) has high enzyme retention on the support during the glucose isomerization process. In batch reactors, SGI (half-life =145 h) was more stable than IGI (half-life=27 h) at 60°C in HFCS, whereas at 80°C, IGI (half-life=12 h) was more stable than SGI (half-life=5.2 h). IGI was subject to thiol oxidation at 60°C, which contributed to the enzyme's deactivation. IGI was subject to thiol oxidation at 80°C, but this did not contribute to the deactivation of the enzyme. SGI did not undergo thiol oxidation at 60°C, but at 80°C SGI underwent severe precipitation and thiol oxidation, which caused the enzyme to deactivate. Experimental results show that immobilization suppresses the destablizing effect of thiol oxidation on GI. A "Maillard-like" reaction between SGI and the sugars also caused SGI thermoinactivation at 60, 70, and 80°C, but had minimal effect on IGI. At 60 and 80°C, IGI had higher thermostability in continuous reactors than in batch reactors, possibily because of reduced contact with deleterious compounds in HFCS.

  16. Sensitive and background-free determination of thiols from wastewater samples by MOF-5 extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection using a novel fluorescence probe of carbazole-9-ethyl-2-maleimide.

    PubMed

    Lv, Zhengxian; Sun, Zhiwei; Song, Cuihua; Lu, Shuaimin; Chen, Guang; You, Jinmao

    2016-12-01

    A sensitive and background-free pre-column derivatization method for the determination of thiol compounds using metal-organic framework material (MOF-5) as dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) adsorbent followed by high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) has been developed. In this paper, a novel labeling reagent, carbazole-9-ethyl-2-maleimide(CAEM), was synthesized and reacted with thiols at 40°C for 10min in the presence of PBS buffer (0.02mol/L, pH 7.5). Interestingly, CAEM itself had no fluorescence, while its derivatives exhibited intense fluorescence with an excitation maximum at λ ex 274nm and an emission maximum at λ em 363nm, which greatly reduced the background interference and improved the sensitivity of the method. Furthermore, the MOF-5 was prepared and used as DSPE adsorbent for the selective adsorption of thiols from wastewater sample. Under the optimized experimental conditions, an excellent linearity for all analytes over their concentration ranges of 0.01-1.0μmol/L (R 2 >0.9986)were obtained with the limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 8 to 17.1pmol/L for nine tested thiols. The feasibility of this method for the determination of thiols in wastewater samples had been evaluated and satisfactory average recoveries (n=3) were achieved with the range of 86.6-98.5%. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of arylcinnamide hybrid derivatives as novel anticancer agents

    PubMed Central

    Romagnoli, Romeo; Baraldi, Pier Giovanni; Salvador, Maria Kimatrai; Chayah, Mariem; Camacho, M. Encarnacion; Prencipe, Filippo; Hamel, Ernest; Consolaro, Francesca; Basso, Giuseppe; Viola, Giampietro

    2014-01-01

    The combination of two pharmacophores into a single molecule represents one of the methods that can be adopted for the synthesis of new anticancer molecules. A series of novel antiproliferative agents designed by a pharmacophore hybridization approach, combining the arylcinnamide skeleton and an α-bromoacryloyl moiety, was synthesized and evaluated for its antiproliferative activity against a panel of seven human cancer cell lines. In addition, the new derivatives were also active on multidrug-resistant cell lines over-expressing P-glycoprotein. The biological effects of various substituents on the N-phenyl ring of the benzamide portion were also described. In order to study the possible mechanism of action, we observed that 4p slightly increased the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production in HeLa cells, but, more importantly, a remarkable decrease of intracellular reduced glutathione content was detected in treated cells compared with controls. These results were confirmed by the observation that only thiol-containing antioxidants were able to significantly protect the cells from induced cell death. Altogether our results indicate that the new derivatives are endowed with good anticancer activity in vitro, and their properties may result in the development of new cancer therapeutic strategies. PMID:24858544

  18. DPPH and oxygen free radicals as pro-oxidant of biomolecules.

    PubMed

    Letelier, María Eugenia; Molina-Berríos, Alfredo; Cortés-Troncoso, Juan; Jara-Sandoval, José; Holst, Marianne; Palma, Karina; Montoya, Margarita; Miranda, Dante; González-Lira, Víctor

    2008-03-01

    Numerous investigations exist about the alterations that oxygen free radicals can provoke on biomolecules; these modifications can be prevented and/or reversed by different antioxidants agents. On the other hand, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), a stable nitrogen synthetic radical, is used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of medicinal herbal products; however, the structural changes that this radical provoke on the herbal active principles are not clear yet. In this work, we compared the redox reactivity of oxygen free radicals and DPPH radical on phospholipids and protein thiol groups present in rat liver microsomes. Cu2+/ascorbate was used as generator system of oxygen free radical and as antioxidant, an extract of Buddleja globosa's leaves. Cu2+/ascorbate provoked microsomal lipid peroxidation, microsomal thiols oxidation and oxygen consumption; all of these phenomena were inhibited by B. globosa extract. On the other hand, DPPH was bleached in different extension by the herbal extract and phosphatidyl choline; beside, DPPH decreased microsomal thiols content, but this phenomenon were not prevented by the herbal extract. Furthermore, DPPH did not induce oxygen consumption and neither modified the oxygen consumption induced by Cu2+/ascorbate. Distinct redox mechanisms may explain the differences between the reactivity of DPPH and oxygen free radicals on biomolecules, which is discussed.

  19. Treating Radiation Induced Skin Injury and Fibrosis Using Small Molecule Thiol Modifying Agents

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-10-01

    experimental groups were designed as follows: i) Radiation/RTA408 (6 mg/kg) administered on days 1,2,3,4,5 post-radiation; ii) Radiation/DMSO...Collaborating Organizations: Name: Adam Luginbuhl Project role: PI Contribution to Project Design , experimental support, analysis Funding Support...Clinical and DOD grant Name: Ulrich Rodeck Project role: Co-PI Contribution to Project Design , experimental support, analysis Funding Support DOD

  20. S-nitrosocaptopril nanoparticles as nitric oxide-liberating and transnitrosylating anti-infective technology.

    PubMed

    Mordorski, Breanne; Pelgrift, Robert; Adler, Brandon; Krausz, Aimee; da Costa Neto, Alexandre Batista; Liang, Hongying; Gunther, Leslie; Clendaniel, Alicea; Harper, Stacey; Friedman, Joel M; Nosanchuk, Joshua D; Nacharaju, Parimala; Friedman, Adam J

    2015-02-01

    Nitric oxide (NO), an essential agent of the innate immune system, exhibits multi-mechanistic antimicrobial activity. Previously, NO-releasing nanoparticles (NO-np) demonstrated increased antimicrobial activity when combined with glutathione (GSH) due to formation of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a transnitrosylating agent. To capitalize on this finding, we incorporated the thiol-containing ACE-inhibitor, captopril, with NO-np to form SNO-CAP-np, nanoparticles that both release NO and form S-nitrosocaptopril. In the presence of GSH, SNO-CAP-np demonstrated increased transnitrosylation activity compared to NO-np, as exhibited by increased GSNO formation. Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were highly susceptible to SNO-CAP-np in a dose-dependent fashion, with E. coli being most susceptible, and SNO-CAP-np were nontoxic in zebrafish embryos at translatable concentrations. Given SNO-CAP-np's increased transnitrosylation activity and increased E. coli susceptibility compared to NO-np, transnitrosylation rather than free NO is likely responsible for overcoming E. coli's resistance mechanisms and ultimately killing the pathogen. This team of authors incorporated the thiol-containing ACE-inhibitor, captopril, into a nitric oxide releasing nanoparticle system, generating nanoparticles that both release NO and form S-nitrosocaptopril, with pronounced toxic effects on MRSA and E. coli in the presented model system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Positive and negative feedback regulatory loops of thiol-oxidative stress response mediated by an unstable isoform of sigmaR in actinomycetes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min-Sik; Hahn, Mi-Young; Cho, Yoobok; Cho, Sang-Nae; Roe, Jung-Hye

    2009-09-01

    Alternate sigma factors provide an effective way of diversifying bacterial gene expression in response to environmental changes. In Streptomyces coelicolor where more than 65 sigma factors are predicted, sigma(R) is the major regulator for response to thiol-oxidative stresses. sigma(R) becomes available when its bound anti-sigma factor RsrA is oxidized at sensitive cysteine thiols to form disulphide bonds. sigma(R) regulon includes genes for itself and multiple thiol-reducing systems, which constitute positive and negative feedback loops respectively. We found that the positive amplification loop involves an isoform of sigma(R) (sigma(R')) with an N-terminal extension of 55 amino acids, produced from an upstream start codon. A major difference between constitutive sigma(R) and inducible sigma(R') is that the latter is markedly unstable (t(1/2) approximately 10 min) compared with the former (> 70 min). The rapid turnover of sigma(R') is partly due to induced ClpP1/P2 proteases from the sigma(R) regulon. This represents a novel way of elaborating positive and negative feedback loops in a control circuit. Similar phenomenon may occur in other actinomycetes that harbour multiple start codons in the sigR homologous gene. We observed that sigH gene, the sigR orthologue in Mycobacterium smegmatis, produces an unstable larger isoform of sigma(H) upon induction by thiol-oxidative stress.

  2. Solution NMR Structures of Oxidized and Reduced Ehrlichia chaffeensis thioredoxin: NMR-Invisible Structure Owing to Backbone Dynamics

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

    Buchko, Garry W.; Hewitt, Stephen N.; Van Voorhis, Wesley C.

    Thioredoxins (Trxs) are small ubiquitous proteins that participate in a diverse variety of redox reactions via the reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups in a structurally conserved active site, CGPC. Here, we describe the NMR solution structures of a Trx from Ehrlichia chaffeensis (Ec-Trx, ECH_0218), the etiological agent responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis, in both the oxidized and reduced states. The overall topology of the calculated structures is similar in both redox states and similar to other Trx structures, a five-strand, mixed -sheet (1:3:2:4:5) surrounded by four -helices. Unlike other Trxs studied by NMR in both redox states, themore » 1H-15N HSQC spectra of reduced Ec-Trx was missing eight amide cross peaks relative to the spectra of oxidized Ec-Trx. These missing amides correspond to residues C32-E39 in the active site containing helix (2) and S72-I75 in a loop near the active site and suggest a substantial change in the backbone dynamics associated with the formation of an intramolecular C32-C35 disulfide bond.« less

  3. Metalloid compounds as drugs

    PubMed Central

    Sekhon, B. S.

    2013-01-01

    The six elements commonly known as metalloids are boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, and tellurium. Metalloid containing compounds have been used as antiprotozoal drugs. Boron-based drugs, the benzoxaboroles have been exploited as potential treatments for neglected tropical diseases. Arsenic has been used as a medicinal agent and arsphenamine was the main drug used to treat syphilis. Arsenic trioxide has been approved for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Pentavalent antimonials have been the recommended drug for visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Tellurium (IV) compounds may have important roles in thiol redox biological activity in the human body, and ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-O, O’-)tellurate (AS101) may be a promising agent for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Organosilicon compounds have been shown to be effective in vitro multidrug-resistance reverting agents. PMID:24019824

  4. Antibacterial activity of nitric oxide releasing silver nanoparticles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Seabra, Amedea B.; Manosalva, Nixson; de Araujo Lima, Bruna; Pelegrino, Milena T.; Brocchi, Marcelo; Rubilar, Olga; Duran, Nelson

    2017-06-01

    Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well known potent antimicrobial agents. Similarly, the free radical nitric oxide (NO) has important antibacterial activity, and due to its instability, the combination of NO and nanomaterials has been applied in several biomedical applications. The aim of this work was to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antibacterial activity of a new NO-releasing AgNPs. Herein, AgNPs were synthesized by the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) by catechin, a natural polyphenol and potent antioxidant agent, derived from green tea extract. Catechin acts as a reducing agent and as a capping molecule on the surface of AgNPs, minimizing particle agglomeration. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques. The results showed the formation of AgNPs with average hydrodynamic size of 44 nm, polydispersity index of 0.21, and zeta potential of -35.9 mV. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of the AgNP core and cathecin as capping agent. The low molecular weight mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), which contain free thiol group, was added on the surface of catechin-AgNPs, leading to the formation of MSA-catechin-AgNPs (the NO precursor nanoparticle). Free thiol groups of MSA-catechin-AgNPs were nitrosated leading to the formation of S-nitroso-mercaptosuccinic acid (S-nitroso-MSA), the NO donor. The amount of 342 ± 16 µmol of NO was released per gram of S-nitroso-MSA-catechin-AgNPs. The antibacterial activities of catechin-AgNPs, MSA-catechin-AgNPs, and S-nitroso-MSA-catechin-AgNPs were evaluated towards different resistant bacterial strains. The results demonstrated an enhanced antibacterial activity of the NO-releasing AgNP. For instance, the minimal inhibitory concentration values for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) incubated with AgNPs-catechin, AgNPs-catechin-MSA, and AgNPs-catechin-S-nitroso-MSA were found to be 62, 125 and 3 µg/mL, respectively. While in the case of Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603) the minimum bactericidal concentration values for treatments with AgNPs-catechin, AgNPs-catechin-MSA, and AgNPs-catechin-S-nitroso-MSA were found to be 1000, 500, and 125 µg/mL, respectively. The antibacterial actions of the NO-releasing nanoparticle were superior in comparison with the antibacterial effects of AgNPs, in most of the tested antibiotic resistant bacteria strains. These results highlight the promising uses of NO-releasing AgNPs against resistant bacteria in several biomedical applications.

  5. Organic sulfur compounds resulting from the interaction of iron sulfide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in an anaerobic aqueous environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heinen, Wolfgang; Lauwers, Anne Marie

    1996-04-01

    The reaction of iron sulfide (FeS) with H2S in water, in presence of CO2 under anaerobic conditions was found to yield H2 and a variety of organic sulfur compounds, mainly thiols and small amounts of CS2 and dimethyldisulfide. The same compounds were produced when H2S was replaced by HCl, in the H2S-generating system FeS/HCl/CO2. The identification of the products was confirmed by GC-MS analyses and the incorporation of H2 in the organic sulfur compounds was demonstrated by experiments in which all hydrogen compounds were replaced by deuterium compounds. Generation of H2 and the synthesis of thiols were both dependent upon the relative abundance of FeS and HCl or H2S, i.e. the FeS/HCl- or FeS/H2S-proportions. Whether thiols or CS2 were formed as the main products depended also on the FeS/HCl-ratio: All conditions which create a H2 deficiency were found to initiate a proportional increase in the amount of CS2. The quantities of H2 and thiols generated depended on temperature: the production of H2 was significantly accelerated from 50°C onward and thiol synthesis above 75°C. The yield of thiols increased with the amount of FeS and HCl (H2S), given a certain FeS/HCl-ratio and a surplus of CO2. A deficiency of CO2 results in lower thiol systhesis. The end product, pyrite (FeS2), was found to appear as a silvery granular layer floating on the aqueous surface. The identity of the thiols was confirmed by mass spectrometry, and the reduction of CO2 demonstrated by the determination of deuterium incorporation with DCl and D2O. The described reactions can principally proceed under the conditions comparable to those obtaining around submarine hydrothermal vents, or the global situation about 4 billion years ago, before the dawn of life, and could replace the need for a reducing atmosphere on the primitive earth.

  6. Thiol Specific and Mitochondria Selective Fluorogenic Benzofurazan Sulfide for Live Cell Nonprotein Thiol Imaging and Quantification in Mitochondria.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shenggang; Yin, Huihui; Huang, Yue; Guan, Xiangming

    2018-06-11

    Cellular thiols are divided into two major categories: nonprotein thiols (NPSH) and protein thiols (PSH). Thiols are unevenly distributed inside the cell and compartmentalized in subcellular structures. Most of our knowledge on functions/dysfunctions of cellular/subcellular thiols is based on the quantification of cellular/subcellular thiols through homogenization of cellular/subcellular structures followed by a thiol quantification method. We would like to report a thiol-specific mitochondria-selective fluorogenic benzofurazan sulfide {7,7'-thiobis( N-rhodamine-benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole-4-sulfonamide) (TBROS)} that can effectively image and quantify live cell NPSH in mitochondria through fluorescence intensity. Limited methods are available for imaging thiols in mitochondria in live cells especially in a quantitative manner. The thiol specificity of TBROS was demonstrated by its ability to react with thiols and inability to react with biologically relevant nucleophilic functional groups other than thiols. TBROS, with minimal fluorescence, formed strong fluorescent thiol adducts (λ ex = 550 nm, λ em = 580 nm) when reacting with NPSH confirming its fluorogenicity. TBROS failed to react with PSH from bovine serum albumin and cell homogenate proteins. The high mitochondrial thiol selectivity of TBROS was achieved by its mitochondria targeting structure and its higher reaction rate with NPSH at mitochondrial pH. Imaging of mitochondrial NPSH in live cells was confirmed by two colocalization methods and use of a thiol-depleting reagent. TBROS effectively imaged NPSH changes in a quantitative manner in mitochondria in live cells. The reagent will be a useful tool in exploring physiological and pathological roles of mitochondrial thiols.

  7. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis in celiac disease

    PubMed Central

    Kaplan, Mustafa; Ates, Ihsan; Yuksel, Mahmut; Ozderin Ozin, Yasemin; Alisik, Murat; Erel, Ozcan; Kayacetin, Ertugrul

    2017-01-01

    AIM To determine dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in celiac disease and to examine the associate with celiac autoantibodies and gluten-free diet. METHODS Seventy three patients with celiac disease and 73 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. In both groups, thiol/disulphide homeostasis was examined with a new colorimetric method recently developed by Erel and Neselioglu. RESULTS In patients with celiac disease, native thiol (P = 0.027) and total thiol (P = 0.031) levels were lower, while disulphide (P < 0.001) level, disulphide/native thiol (P < 0.001) and disulphide/total thiol (P < 0.001) ratios were higher compared to the control group. In patients who do not comply with a gluten-free diet, disulphide/native thiol ratio was found higher compared to the patients who comply with the diet (P < 0.001). In patients with any autoantibody-positive, disulphide/native thiol ratio was observed higher compared to the patients with autoantibody-negative (P < 0.05). It is found that there is a negative correlation between celiac autoantibodies, and native thiol, total thiol levels and native thiol/total thiol ratio, while a positive correlation is observed between disulphide, disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol levels. CONCLUSION This study is first in the literature which found that the patients with celiac disease the dynamic thiol/disulphide balance shifts through disulphide form compared to the control group. PMID:28533921

  8. Assessment of antioxidative ability in brain: Imaging of glutathione localization with technetium-99M meso-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime

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

    Sasaki, T.; Toyama, H.; Oda, K.

    1994-05-01

    An oxidative stress is postulated to be important in tissue injury after ischemia and reperfusion, inflammation, aging and various disease. Glutathione (GSH), one of the major antioxidants in the brain, is presumed to be responsible for the metabolism and retention of [Tc-99m] HM-PAO. In order to visualize the regional localization of GSH in the brain, the relationship between the concentrations of tissue GSH and uptake of [Tc-99m] meso-HM-PAO and [Tc-99m] d,l-HM-PAO was studied in mice. Increasing load of diethyl maleate (DEM), a reducing agent of GSH and several other thiols, before [Tc-99m] meso-HM-PAO injection, led to a dose dependent decreasemore » of GSH and [Tc-99m] meso-HM-PAO. At the highest dose of loaded DEM, the uptake of [Tc-99m] meso-HM-PAO in the brain was decreased to 20-30% of the control. In contrast, pretreatment with DEM did little affect the [Tc-99m] d,l-HM-PAO uptake. To elucidate the retention mechanism of [Tc-99m] HM-PAO in brain, we studied the in vitro interactions of [Tc-99m] meso-HMPAO and [Tc-99m] d,l-HM-PAO with GSH, ascorbate and cysteine by measuring octanol-extractable radioactivity, which is remaining intact [Tc-99m] HM-PAO, as a function of incubation period. The disappearance raw of [Tc-99m] meso-HMPAO and [TC-99m] d,l-HM-PAO were 0.18 and 0.96%/min, respectively. Either meso or d,l-isomer did not interact with ascorbate or cysteine. This result suggested that the retention mechanism of [Tc-99m] meso- and d,l-isomers in brain was related to their specific interaction with GSH, and did not related to non-specific interaction with various thiols or other reducing agents. This extremely high reaction rate of [Tc-99m] d,l-HM-PAO with GSH could explain the capability of a small amount of GSH to trap [Tc-99m] d,l-HM-PAO in maximum DEM loading. These results indicated that [Tc-99m] meso-HMPAO would be suitable to image the concentration of GSH in the brain, as opposed d,l-isomer that images blood flow.« less

  9. Phospholipase A2 activation regulates cytotoxicity of methylmercury in vascular endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Mazerik, Jessica N; Hagele, Thomas; Sherwani, Shariq; Ciapala, Valorie; Butler, Susan; Kuppusamy, M Lakshmi; Hunter, Melissa; Kuppusamy, Periannan; Marsh, Clay B; Parinandi, Narasimham L

    2007-01-01

    Mercury has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease among humans. Through diet, mainly fish consumption, humans are exposed to methylmercury, the biomethylated organic form of environmental mercury. As the endothelium is an important player in homeostasis of the cardiovascular system, here, the authors tested their hypothesis that methylmercury activates the lipid signaling enzyme phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), causing upstream regulation of cytotoxicity. To test this hypothesis, the authors used bovine pulmonary artery ECs (BPAECs) cultured in monolayers, following labeling of their membrane phospholipids with [(3)H]arachidonic acid (AA). The cells were exposed to methylmercury chloride (MMC) and then the release of free AA (index of PLA(2) activity) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; index of cytotoxicity) were determined by liquid scintillation counting and spectrophotometry, respectively. MMC significantly activated PLA(2) in a dose-dependent (5 to 15 microM) and time-dependent (0 to 60 min) fashion. Sulfhydryl (thiol-protective) agents, calcium chelators, antioxidants, and PLA(2)-specific inhibitors attenuated the MMC-induced PLA(2) activation, suggesting the role of thiols, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium in the activation of PLA(2) in BPAECs. MMC also induced the loss of thiols and increase of lipid peroxidation in BPAECs. MMC induced cytotoxicity in BPAECs as observed by the altered cell morphology and LDH leak, which was significantly attenuated by PLA(2) inhibitors. This study established that PLA(2) activation through thiols, calcium, and oxidative stress was associated with the cytotoxicity of MMC in BPAECs, drawing attention to the involvement of PLA(2) signaling in the methylmercury-induced vascular endothelial dysfunctions.

  10. Surface charge fine tuning of reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange type mixed-mode stationary phases for milder elution conditions.

    PubMed

    Zimmermann, Aleksandra; Horak, Jeannie; Sánchez-Muñoz, Orlando L; Lämmerhofer, Michael

    2015-08-28

    A series of new mixed-mode reversed-phase/weak anion-exchange (RP/WAX) phases have been synthesized by immobilization of N-undecenyl-3-α-aminotropane onto thiol-modified silica gel by thiol-ene click chemistry and subsequent introduction of acidic thiol-endcapping functionalities of different type and surface densities. Click chemistry allowed to adjust a controlled surface concentration of the RP/WAX ligand in such a way that a sufficient quantity of residual thiols remained unmodified which have been capped by thiol click with either 3-butenoic acid or allylsulfonic acid as co-ligands. In another embodiment, performic acid oxidation of N-undecenyl-3-α-aminotropane-derivatized thiol-modified silica gave a RP/WAX phase with high density of sulfonic acid end-capping groups. ζ-Potential determinations confirmed the fine-tuned pI of these mixed-mode stationary phases which was shifted from 9.5 to 8.2, 7.8, and 6.5 with 3-butenoic acid and allylsulfonic acid end-capping as well as performic acid oxidation. For acidic solutes, the co-ionic endcapping leads to strongly reduced retention times and clearly allowed elution of these analytes under lower ionic strength thus milder elution conditions. In spite of the acidic endcapping, the new mixed-mode phases maintained their hydrophobic and anion-exchange selectivity as well as their multimodal nature featuring RP and HILIC elution domains at acetonitrile percentages below and above 50%, respectively. Column classification by principal component analysis of an extended retention map in comparison to a set of polar commercial and in-house synthesized stationary phases confirmed complementarity of the new mixed-mode phases with respect to HILIC, polar RP, amino and commercial mixed-mode phases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules Are an Important Source of Reduced Sulfur, Which Triggers Global Changes in Sulfur Metabolism in Lotus japonicus

    PubMed Central

    Kalloniati, Chrysanthi; Krompas, Panagiotis; Udvardi, Michael K.; Flemetakis, Emmanouil

    2015-01-01

    We combined transcriptomic and biochemical approaches to study rhizobial and plant sulfur (S) metabolism in nitrogen (N) fixing nodules (Fix+) of Lotus japonicus, as well as the link of S-metabolism to symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the effect of nodules on whole-plant S-partitioning and metabolism. Our data reveal that N-fixing nodules are thiol-rich organs. Their high adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate reductase activity and strong 35S-flux into cysteine and its metabolites, in combination with the transcriptional upregulation of several rhizobial and plant genes involved in S-assimilation, highlight the function of nodules as an important site of S-assimilation. The higher thiol content observed in nonsymbiotic organs of N-fixing plants in comparison to uninoculated plants could not be attributed to local biosynthesis, indicating that nodules are an important source of reduced S for the plant, which triggers whole-plant reprogramming of S-metabolism. Enhanced thiol biosynthesis in nodules and their impact on the whole-plant S-economy are dampened in plants nodulated by Fix− mutant rhizobia, which in most respects metabolically resemble uninoculated plants, indicating a strong interdependency between N-fixation and S-assimilation. PMID:26296963

  12. Selenium-containing organic nanoparticles as silent precursors for ultra-sensitive thiol-responsive transmembrane anion transport.

    PubMed

    Lang, Chao; Zhang, Xin; Dong, Zeyuan; Luo, Quan; Qiao, Shanpeng; Huang, Zupeng; Fan, Xiaotong; Xu, Jiayun; Liu, Junqiu

    2016-02-07

    An anion transporter with a selenoxide group was able to form nanoparticles in water, whose activity was fully turned off due to the aggregation effect. The formed nanoparticles have a uniform size and can be readily dispersed in water at high concentrations. Turn-on of the nanoparticles by reducing molecules is proposed to be a combined process, including the reduction of selenoxide to selenide, disassembly of the nanoparticles and location of the transporter to the lipid membrane. Accordingly, a special acceleration phase can be observed in the turn-on kinetic curves. Since turn-on of the nanoparticles is quantitatively related to the amount of reductant, the nanoparticles can be activated in a step-by-step manner. Due to the sensibility of this system to thiols, cysteine can be detected at low nanomolar concentrations. This ultra-sensitive thiol-responsive transmembrane anion transport system is quite promising in biological applications.

  13. Resin-assisted Enrichment of N-terminal Peptides for Characterizing Proteolytic Processing

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

    Kim, Jong Seo; Dai, Ziyu; Aryal, Uma K.

    2013-06-17

    Proteolytic processing is a ubiquitous, irreversible posttranslational modification that plays an important role in cellular regulation in all living organisms. Herein we report a resin-assisted positive selection method for specifically enriching protein N-terminal peptides to facilitate the characterization of proteolytic processing events by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In this approach, proteins are initially reduced and alkylated and their lysine residues are converted to homoarginines. Then, protein N-termini are selectively converted to reactive thiol groups. We demonstrate that these sequential reactions were achieved with nearly quantitative efficiencies. Thiol-containing N-terminal peptides are then captured (>98% efficiency) by a thiol-affinity resin, a significantmore » improvement over the traditional avidin/biotin enrichment. Application to cell lysates of Aspergillus niger, a filamentous fungus of interest for biomass degradation, enabled the identification of 1672 unique protein N-termini and proteolytic cleavage sites from 690 unique proteins.« less

  14. Impaired Thiol-Disulfide Balance in Acute Brucellosis.

    PubMed

    Kolgelier, Servet; Ergin, Merve; Demir, Lutfi Saltuk; Inkaya, Ahmet Cagkan; Aktug Demir, Nazlim; Alisik, Murat; Erel, Ozcan

    2017-05-24

    The objective of this study was to examine a novel profile: thiol-disulfide homeostasis in acute brucellosis. The study included 90 patients with acute brucellosis, and 27 healthy controls. Thiol-disulfide profile tests were analyzed by a recently developed method, and ceruloplasmin levels were determined. Native thiol levels were 256.72 ± 48.20 μmol/L in the acute brucellosis group and 461.13 ± 45.37 μmol/L in the healthy group, and total thiol levels were 298.58 ± 51.78 μmol/L in the acute brucellosis group and 504.83 ± 51.05 μmol/L in the healthy group (p < 0.001, for both). The disulfide/native thiol ratios and disulfide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher, and native thiol/total thiol ratios were significantly lower in patients with acute brucellosis than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001, for all ratios). There were either positive or negative relationships between ceruloplasmin levels and thiol-disulfide parameters. The thiol-disulfide homeostasis was impaired in acute brucellosis. The strong associations between thiol-disulfide parameters and a positive acute-phase reactant reflected the disruption of the balance between the antioxidant and oxidant systems. Since thiol groups act as anti-inflammatory mediators, the alteration in the thiol-disulfide homeostasis may be involved in brucellosis.

  15. Synthesis of soybean oil-based thiol oligomers.

    PubMed

    Wu, Jennifer F; Fernando, Shashi; Weerasinghe, Dimuthu; Chen, Zhigang; Webster, Dean C

    2011-08-22

    Industrial grade soybean oil (SBO) and thiols were reacted to generate thiol-functionalized oligomers via a thermal, free radical initiated thiol-ene reaction between the SBO double bond moieties and the thiol functional groups. The effect of the reaction conditions, including thiol concentration, catalyst loading level, reaction time, and atmosphere, on the molecular weight and the conversion to the resultant soy-thiols were examined in a combinatorial high-throughput fashion using parallel synthesis, combinatorial FTIR, and rapid gel permeation chromatography (GPC). High thiol functionality and concentration, high thermal free radical catalyst concentration, long reaction time, and the use of a nitrogen reaction atmosphere were found to favor fast consumption of the SBO, and produced high molecular weight products. The thiol conversion during the reaction was inversely affected by a high thiol concentration, but was favored by a long reaction time and an air reaction atmosphere. These experimental observations were explained by the initial low affinity of the SBO and thiol, and the improved affinity between the generated soy-thiol oligomers and unreacted SBO during the reaction. The synthesized soy-thiol oligomers can be used for renewable thiol-ene UV curable materials and high molecular solids and thiourethane thermal cure materials. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Dietary thiols in exercise: oxidative stress defence, exercise performance, and adaptation.

    PubMed

    McLeay, Yanita; Stannard, Stephen; Houltham, Stuart; Starck, Carlene

    2017-01-01

    Endurance athletes are susceptible to cellular damage initiated by excessive levels of aerobic exercise-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whilst ROS can contribute to the onset of fatigue, there is increasing evidence that they play a crucial role in exercise adaptations. The use of antioxidant supplements such as vitamin C and E in athletes is common; however, their ability to enhance performance and facilitate recovery is controversial, with many studies suggesting a blunting of training adaptations with supplementation. The up-regulation of endogenous antioxidant systems brought about by exercise training allows for greater tolerance to subsequent ROS, thus, athletes may benefit from increasing these systems through dietary thiol donors. Recent work has shown supplementation with a cysteine donor (N-acetylcysteine; NAC) improves antioxidant capacity by augmenting glutathione levels and reducing markers of oxidative stress, as well as ergogenic potential through association with delayed fatigue in numerous experimental models. However, the use of this, and other thiol donors may have adverse physiological effects. A recent discovery for the use of a thiol donor food source, keratin, to potentially enhance endogenous antioxidants may have important implications for endurance athletes hoping to enhance performance and recovery without blunting training adaptations.

  17. Mechanism of Sirt1 NAD+-dependent Protein Deacetylase Inhibition by Cysteine S-Nitrosation.

    PubMed

    Kalous, Kelsey S; Wynia-Smith, Sarah L; Olp, Michael D; Smith, Brian C

    2016-12-02

    The sirtuin family of proteins catalyze the NAD + -dependent deacylation of acyl-lysine residues. Humans encode seven sirtuins (Sirt1-7), and recent studies have suggested that post-translational modification of Sirt1 by cysteine S-nitrosation correlates with increased acetylation of Sirt1 deacetylase substrates. However, the mechanism of Sirt1 inhibition by S-nitrosation was unknown. Here, we show that Sirt1 is transnitrosated and inhibited by the physiologically relevant nitrosothiol S-nitrosoglutathione. Steady-state kinetic analyses and binding assays were consistent with Sirt1 S-nitrosation inhibiting binding of both the NAD + and acetyl-lysine substrates. Sirt1 S-nitrosation correlated with Zn 2+ release from the conserved sirtuin Zn 2+ -tetrathiolate and a loss of α-helical structure without overall thermal destabilization of the enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that Zn 2+ loss due to Sirt1 S-nitrosation results in repositioning of the tetrathiolate subdomain away from the rest of the catalytic domain, thereby disrupting the NAD + and acetyl-lysine-binding sites. Sirt1 S-nitrosation was reversed upon exposure to the thiol-based reducing agents, including physiologically relevant concentrations of the cellular reducing agent glutathione. Reversal of S-nitrosation resulted in full restoration of Sirt1 activity only in the presence of Zn 2+ , consistent with S-nitrosation of the Zn 2+ -tetrathiolate as the primary source of Sirt1 inhibition upon S-nitrosoglutathione treatment. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  18. Resistance exercise training attenuates exercise-induced lipid peroxidation in the elderly.

    PubMed

    Vincent, Kevin R; Vincent, Heather K; Braith, Randy W; Lennon, Shannon L; Lowenthal, David T

    2002-08-01

    This study examined the effects of 6 months of resistance exercise (RX) on basal and post-aerobic exercise lipid peroxidation (LIPOX). Men and women [n = 62, mean (SD) age 68.4 (6) years] were divided randomly into either a control (n = 16, CON), low-intensity training [LEX n = 24; 50% one-repetition maximum (1RM), 13 repetitions/exercise], or high-intensity training (HEX n = 22, 80% 1RM, 8 repetitions/exercise) group. Pre- and post-training, subjects performed a graded aerobic exercise test (GXT). Blood samples were collected prior to and 10 min following each GXT. Subjects trained 3 times per week for 6 months using 12 RX machines. LIPOX was determined by measuring levels of thiobarbituric reactive acid substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides (PEROX). RX had no effect on resting LIPOX. Post-training, post-GXT TBARS were lower in the LEX and HEX groups by 14% and 18%, respectively, compared to CON (P < 0.05). Post-GXT PEROX levels were lower (P < 0.05) in LEX and HEX compared to CON [CON 3.51 (0.56) nmol/ml, LEX 2.89 (0.80) nmol/ml, HEX 2.99 (0.63) nmol/ml]. Serum total and non-protein (glutathione) thiols were higher in the LEX and HEX groups following training compared to CON (P < 0.05). These data suggest that RX can (1) reduce serum LIPOX, (2) provide protection against oxidizing agents in vitro, and (3) provide a "cross-protection" against the oxidative stress generated by aerobic exercise, perhaps mediated by improvements in the thiol portion of the antioxidant defense.

  19. Controlled free radical attack in the apoplast: A hypothesis for roles of O, N and S species in regulatory and polysaccharide cleavage events during rapid abscission by Azolla

    PubMed Central

    Cohen, Michael F.; Gurung, Sushma; Fukuto, Jon M.; Yamasaki, Hideo

    2014-01-01

    Shedding of organs by abscission is a key terminal step in plant development and stress responses. Cell wall (CW) loosening at the abscission zone can occur through a combination chain breakage of apoplastic polysaccharides and tension release of cellulose microfibrils. Two distinctly regulated abscission cleavage events are amenable to study in small water ferns of the genus Azolla; one is a rapid abscission induced by environmental stimuli such as heat or chemicals, and the other is an ethylene-induced process occurring more slowly through the action of hydrolytic enzymes. Although free radicals are suggested to be involved in the induction of rapid root abscission, its mechanism is not fully understood. The apoplast contains peroxidases, metal-binding proteins and phenolic compounds that potentially generate free radicals from H2O2 to cleave polysaccharides in the CW and middle lamella. Effects of various thiol-reactive agents implicate the action of apoplastic peroxidases having accessible cysteine thiols in rapid abscission. The Ca2+ dependency of rapid abscission may reflect the stabilization Ca2+ confers to peroxidase structure and binding to pectin. To spur further investigation, we present a hypothetical model for small signaling molecules H2O2 and NO and their derivatives in regulating, via modification of putative protein thiols, free radical attack of apoplastic polysaccharides. PMID:24467903

  20. Influence of reagents reacting with metal, thiol and amino sites of catalytic activity and l-phenylalanine inhibition of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase

    PubMed Central

    Fishman, William H.; Ghosh, Nimai K.

    1967-01-01

    1. Studies on the inactivation of rat intestinal alkaline phosphatase by several metal-binding agents, namely EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, αα′-bipyridyl, o-phenanthroline and sodium cyanide, indicated the functional role of a metal, probably zinc, in the catalysis. The metal ligands lowered stereospecific uncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme by l-phenylalanine by an extent that paralleled the decline in enzyme activity. 2. The thiol reagents p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, iodoacetamide and iodine inactivated rat intestinal phosphatase. The enzyme could be protected from inactivation by either cysteine or substrate. The l-phenylalanine inhibition remained unchanged only in the presence of moderately inactivating concentrations of the thiol reagents. 3. Inactivation of the enzyme by the amino-group-blocking reagent, O-methylisourea, provided ample evidence for the participation in the catalysis of the ∈-amino group of lysine. At the same time, l-phenylalanine inhibition remained unaltered even when the enzyme was strongly inactivated. This ∈-amino-group-blocked enzyme exhibited no change in migration in starch gel, in contrast with enzyme treated with acetic anhydride, formaldehyde or succinic anhydride. The Michaelis constant of the enzyme was enhanced by such modifications, but the optimum pH remained the same. 4. d-Phenylalanine acted as a competitive or `co-operative' activator for intestinal alkaline phosphatase after it had been modified by acetylation. PMID:16742542

  1. Modifying mesoporous silica nanoparticles to avoid the metabolic deactivation of 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate in combinatorial chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Wang, Wenjing; Fang, Chenjie; Wang, Xiaozhu; Chen, Yuxi; Wang, Yaonan; Feng, Wei; Yan, Chunhua; Zhao, Ming; Peng, Shiqi

    2013-07-21

    Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with amino and thiol groups (MSNSN) were prepared and covalently modified with methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine to form 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX. In the presence of DTT, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX gradually releases 6-MP. In rat plasma, 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX effectively inhibits the metabolic deactivation of 6-MP and MTX. 6-MP-MSNSN-MTX could be an agent for long-acting chemotherapy.

  2. Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma.

    PubMed

    Demirseren, Duriye Deniz; Cicek, Cagla; Alisik, Murat; Demirseren, Mustafa Erol; Aktaş, Akın; Erel, Ozcan

    2017-09-01

    The aim of this study is to measure and compare the dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis of patients with basal cell carcinoma and healthy subjects with a newly developed and original method. Thirty four patients attending our outpatient clinic and clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as nodular basal cell carcinoma, and age and gender matched 30 healthy individuals have been involved in the study. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis tests have been measured with a novel automatic spectrophotometric method developed and the results have been compared statistically. Serum native thiol and disulphide levels in the patient and control group show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.028, 0.039, respectively). Total thiol levels do not reveal a considerable variation (p = 0.094). Disulphide/native thiol ratios and native thiol/total thiol ratios also show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.012, 0.013, 0.010, respectively). Thiol disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma alters in the way that disulphide gets lower and thiols get higher. Thiol/disulphide level is likely to have a role in basal cell carcinoma pathogenesis.

  3. Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Thermoresponsive Polyhydroxyalkanoate-graft-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide).

    PubMed

    Ma, Yi-Ming; Wei, Dai-Xu; Yao, Hui; Wu, Lin-Ping; Chen, Guo-Qiang

    2016-08-08

    A thermoresponsive graft copolymer polyhydroxyalkanoate-g-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) or short as PHA-g-PNIPAm, was successfully synthesized via a three-step reaction. First, PNIPAm oligomer with a trithiocarbonate-based chain transfer agent (CTA), short as PNIPAm-CTA, with designed polymerization degree was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Subsequently, the PNIPAm-CTA was treated with n-butylamine for aminolysis in order to obtain a pendant thiol group at the end of the chain (PNIPAm-SH). Finally, the PNIPAm-SH was grafted onto unsaturated P(3HDD-co-3H10U), a random copolymer of 3-hydroxydodecanoate (3HDD) and 3-hydroxy-10-undecylenate (3H10U), via a thiol-ene click reaction. Enhanced hydrophilicity and thermoresponsive property of the resulted PHA-g-PNIPAm were confirmed by water contact angle studies. The biocompatibility of PHA-g-PNIPAm was comparable to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). The graft copolymer PHA-g-PNIPAm based on biopolyester PHA could be a promising material for biomedical applications.

  4. Analysis of chemical warfare agents. II. Use of thiols and statistical experimental design for the trace level determination of vesicant compounds in air samples.

    PubMed

    Muir, Bob; Quick, Suzanne; Slater, Ben J; Cooper, David B; Moran, Mary C; Timperley, Christopher M; Carrick, Wendy A; Burnell, Christopher K

    2005-03-18

    Thermal desorption with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) remains the technique of choice for analysis of trace concentrations of analytes in air samples. This paper describes the development and application of a method for analysing the vesicant compounds sulfur mustard and Lewisites I-III. 3,4-Dimercaptotoluene and butanethiol were used to spike sorbent tubes and vesicant vapours sampled; Lewisite I and II reacted with the thiols while sulfur mustard and Lewisite III did not. Statistical experimental design was used to optimise thermal desorption parameters and the optimum method used to determine vesicant compounds in headspace samples taken from a decontamination trial. 3,4-Dimercaptotoluene reacted with Lewisites I and II to give a common derivative with a limit of detection (LOD) of 260 microg m(-3), while the butanethiol gave distinct derivatives with limits of detection around 30 microg m(-3).

  5. Furoxans (Oxadiazole-4 N-oxides) with Attenuated Reactivity are Neuroprotective, Cross the Blood Brain Barrier, and Improve Passive Avoidance Memory.

    PubMed

    Horton, Austin; Nash, Kevin; Tackie-Yarboi, Ethel; Kostrevski, Alexander; Novak, Adam; Raghavan, Aparna; Tulsulkar, Jatin; Alhadidi, Qasim; Wamer, Nathan; Langenderfer, Bryn; Royster, Kalee; Ducharme, Maxwell; Hagood, Katelyn; Post, Megan; Shah, Zahoor A; Schiefer, Isaac T

    2018-05-07

    Nitric oxide (NO) mimetics and other agents capable of enhancing NO/cGMP signaling have demonstrated efficacy as potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease. A group of thiol-dependent NO mimetics known as furoxans may be designed to exhibit attenuated reactivity to provide slow onset NO effects. The present study describes the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a furoxan library resulting in the identification of a prototype furoxan, 5a, which was profiled for use in the central nervous system. Furoxan 5a demonstrated negligible reactivity toward generic cellular thiols under physiological conditions. Nonetheless, cGMP-dependent neuroprotection was observed, and 5a (20 mg/kg) reversed cholinergic memory deficits in a mouse model of passive avoidance fear memory. Importantly, 5a can be prepared as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and is observed in the brain 12 h after oral administration, suggesting potential for daily dosing and excellent metabolic stability. Continued investigation into furoxans as attenuated NO mimetics for the CNS is warranted.

  6. Dual Sulfide-Disulfide Crosslinked Networks with Rapid and Room Temperature Self-Healability.

    PubMed

    An, So Young; Noh, Seung Man; Nam, Joon Hyun; Oh, Jung Kwon

    2015-07-01

    Polymer-based crosslinked networks with intrinsic self-repairing ability have emerged due to their built-in ability to repair physical damages. Here, novel dual sulfide-disulfide crosslinked networks (s-ssPxNs) are reported exhibiting rapid and room temperature self-healability within seconds to minutes, with no extra healing agents and no change under any environmental conditions. The method to synthesize these self-healable networks utilizes a combination of well-known crosslinking chemistry: photoinduced thiol-ene click-type radical addition, generating lightly sulfide-crosslinked polysulfide-based networks with excess thiols, and their oxidation, creating dynamic disulfide crosslinkages to yield the dual s-ssPxNs. The resulting s-ssPxN networks show rapid self-healing within 30 s to 30 min at room temperature, as well as self-healing elasticity with reversible viscoelastic properties. These results, combined with tunable self-healing kinetics, demonstrate the versatility of the method as a new means to synthesize smart multifunctional polymeric materials. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. 1,2-Bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[[1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxy]carbonyl]hydrazine: An anticancer agent targeting hypoxic cells

    PubMed Central

    Seow, Helen A.; Penketh, Philip G.; Shyam, Krishnamurthy; Rockwell, Sara; Sartorelli, Alan C.

    2005-01-01

    To target malignant cells residing in hypoxic regions of solid tumors, we have designed and synthesized prodrugs generating the cytotoxic alkylating species 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE) after bioreductive activation. We postulate that one of these agents, 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[[1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxy]carbonyl]hydrazine (KS119), requires enzymatic nitro reduction to produce 90CE, whereas another agent, 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(4-nitrobenzyloxy)carbonyl]hydrazine (PNBC), can also be activated by nucleophilic attack by thiols such as glutathione (GSH)/GST. We demonstrated that these agents selectively kill hypoxic EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma and CHO cells. In hypoxia, 50 μM KS119 produced 5 logs of kill of EMT6 cells without discernable cytotoxicity in air; similar effects were observed with CHO cells. PNBC was less efficacious against hypoxic tumor cells and also had some toxicity to aerobic cells, presumably because of GST/thiol activation, making PNBC less interesting as a selective hypoxic-cell cytotoxin. BALB/c mice with established EMT6 solid tumors were used to demonstrate that KS119 could reach and kill hypoxic cells in solid tumors. To gain information on bioreductive enzymes involved in the activation of KS119, cytotoxicity was measured in CHO cell lines overexpressing NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase (NBR), NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase (NPR), or NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Increased cytotoxicity occurred in cells overexpressing NBR and NPR, whereas overexpressed NQO1 had no effect. These findings were supported by enzymatic studies using purified NPR and xanthine oxidase to activate KS119. KS119 has significant potential as a hypoxia-selective tumor-cell cytotoxin and is unlikely to cause major toxicity to well oxygenated normal tissues. PMID:15964988

  8. Influence of Glutathione and Glutathione S-transferases on DNA Interstrand Cross-Link Formation by 1,2-Bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine, the Active Anticancer Moiety Generated by Laromustine

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Prodrugs of 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE) are promising anticancer agents. The 90CE moiety is a readily latentiated, short-lived (t1/2 ∼ 30 s) chloroethylating agent that can generate high yields of oxophilic electrophiles responsible for the chloroethylation of the O-6 position of guanine in DNA. These guanine O-6 alkylations are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of 90CE and its prodrugs. Thus, 90CE demonstrates high selectivity toward tumors with diminished levels of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT), the resistance protein responsible for O6-alkylguanine repair. The formation of O6-(2-chloroethyl)guanine lesions ultimately leads to the generation of highly cytotoxic 1-(N3-cytosinyl),-2-(N1-guaninyl)ethane DNA interstrand cross-links via N1,O6-ethanoguanine intermediates. The anticancer activity arising from this sequence of reactions is thus identical to this component of the anticancer activity of the clinically used chloroethylnitrosoureas. Herein, we evaluate the ability of glutathione (GSH) and other low molecular weight thiols, as well as GSH coupled with various glutathione S-transferase enzymes (GSTs) to attenuate the final yields of cross-links generated by 90CE when added prior to or immediately following the initial chloroethylation step to determine the major point(s) of interaction. In contrast to studies utilizing BCNU as a chloroethylating agent by others, GSH (or GSH/GST) did not appreciably quench DNA interstrand cross-link precursors. While thiols alone offered little protection at either alkylation step, the GSH/GST couple was able to diminish the initial yields of cross-link precursors. 90CE exhibited a very different GST isoenzyme susceptibility to that reported for BCNU, this could have important implications in the relative resistance of tumor cells to these agents. The protection afforded by GSH/GST was compared to that produced by MGMT. PMID:25012050

  9. Influence of glutathione and glutathione S-transferases on DNA interstrand cross-link formation by 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine, the active anticancer moiety generated by laromustine.

    PubMed

    Penketh, Philip G; Patridge, Eric; Shyam, Krishnamurthy; Baumann, Raymond P; Zhu, Rui; Ishiguro, Kimiko; Sartorelli, Alan C

    2014-08-18

    Prodrugs of 1,2-bis(methylsulfonyl)-1-(2-chloroethyl)hydrazine (90CE) are promising anticancer agents. The 90CE moiety is a readily latentiated, short-lived (t1/2 ∼ 30 s) chloroethylating agent that can generate high yields of oxophilic electrophiles responsible for the chloroethylation of the O-6 position of guanine in DNA. These guanine O-6 alkylations are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic effects of 90CE and its prodrugs. Thus, 90CE demonstrates high selectivity toward tumors with diminished levels of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (MGMT), the resistance protein responsible for O(6)-alkylguanine repair. The formation of O(6)-(2-chloroethyl)guanine lesions ultimately leads to the generation of highly cytotoxic 1-(N(3)-cytosinyl),-2-(N(1)-guaninyl)ethane DNA interstrand cross-links via N(1),O(6)-ethanoguanine intermediates. The anticancer activity arising from this sequence of reactions is thus identical to this component of the anticancer activity of the clinically used chloroethylnitrosoureas. Herein, we evaluate the ability of glutathione (GSH) and other low molecular weight thiols, as well as GSH coupled with various glutathione S-transferase enzymes (GSTs) to attenuate the final yields of cross-links generated by 90CE when added prior to or immediately following the initial chloroethylation step to determine the major point(s) of interaction. In contrast to studies utilizing BCNU as a chloroethylating agent by others, GSH (or GSH/GST) did not appreciably quench DNA interstrand cross-link precursors. While thiols alone offered little protection at either alkylation step, the GSH/GST couple was able to diminish the initial yields of cross-link precursors. 90CE exhibited a very different GST isoenzyme susceptibility to that reported for BCNU, this could have important implications in the relative resistance of tumor cells to these agents. The protection afforded by GSH/GST was compared to that produced by MGMT.

  10. ortho- and meta-substituted aromatic thiols are efficient redox buffers that increase the folding rate of a disulfide-containing protein.

    PubMed

    Gough, Jonathan D; Barrett, Elvis J; Silva, Yenia; Lees, Watson J

    2006-08-20

    Thiol based redox buffers are used to enhance the folding rates of disulfide-containing proteins in vitro. Traditionally, small molecule aliphatic thiols such as glutathione are employed. Recently, we have demonstrated that aromatic thiols can further enhance protein-folding rates. In the presence of para-substituted aromatic thiols the folding rate of a disulfide-containing protein was increased by 4-23 times over that measured for glutathione. However, several important practical issues remain to be addressed. Aromatic thiols have never been tested in the presence of denaturants such as guanidine hydrochloride. Only two of the para-substituted aromatic thiols previously examined are commercially available. To expand the number of aromatic thiols for protein folding, several commercially available meta- and ortho-substituted aromatic thiols were studied. Furthermore, an ortho-substituted aromatic thiol, easily obtained from inexpensive starting materials, was investigated. Folding rates of scrambled ribonuclease A at pH 6.0, 7.0 and 7.7, with ortho- and meta-substituted aromatic thiols, were up to 10 times greater than those with glutathione. In the presence of the common denaturant guanidine hydrochloride (0.5M) aromatic thiols provided 100% yield of active protein while maintaining equivalent folding rates.

  11. Fast and Selective Modification of Thiol Proteins/Peptides by N-(Phenylseleno)phthalimide

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Zhengfang; Zhang, Yun; Zhang, Hao; Harrington, Peter B.; Chen, Hao

    2012-03-01

    We previously reported that selenamide reagents such as ebselen and N-(phenylseleno)phthalimide (NPSP) can be used to selectively derivatize thiols for mass spectrometric analysis, and the introduced selenium tags are useful as they could survive or removed with collision-induced dissociation (CID). Described herein is the further study of the reactivity of various protein/peptide thiols toward NPSP and its application to derivatize thiol peptides in protein digests. With a modified protocol (i.e., dissolving NPSP in acetonitrile instead of aqueous solvent), we found that quantitative conversion of thiols can be obtained in seconds, using NPSP in a slight excess amount (NPSP:thiol of 1.1-2:1). Further investigation shows that the thiol reactivity toward NPSP reflects its chemical environment and accessibility in proteins/peptides. For instance, adjacent basic amino acid residues increase the thiol reactivity, probably because they could stabilize the thiolate form to facilitate the nucleophilic attack of thiol on NPSP. In the case of creatine phosphokinase, the native protein predominately has one thiol reacted with NPSP while all of four thiol groups of the denatured protein can be derivatized, in accordance with the corresponding protein conformation. In addition, thiol peptides in protein/peptide enzymatic digests can be quickly and effectively tagged by NPSP following tri- n-butylphosphine (TBP) reduction. Notably, all three thiols of the peptide QCCASVCSL in the insulin peptic digest can be modified simultaneously by NPSP. These results suggest a novel and selective method for protecting thiols in the bottom-up approach for protein structure analysis.

  12. Identification of novel disulfide adducts between the thiol containing leaving group of the nerve agent VX and cysteine containing tripeptides derived from human serum albumin.

    PubMed

    Kranawetvogl, Andreas; Küppers, Jim; Gütschow, Michael; Worek, Franz; Thiermann, Horst; Elsinghorst, Paul W; John, Harald

    2017-08-01

    Chemical warfare agents represent a continuous and considerable threat to military personnel and the civilian population. Such compounds are prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which adherence by the member states is strictly controlled. Therefore, reliable analytical methods for verification of an alleged use of banned substances are required. Accordingly, current research focuses on long-term biomarkers derived from covalent adducts with biomolecules such as proteins. Recently, we have introduced a microbore liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry method allowing for the investigation of two different classes of adducts of the nerve agent VX with human serum albumin (HSA). Phosphonylated tyrosine residues and novel disulfide adducts at cysteine residues of HSA were produced by enzymatic cleavage with pronase and detected simultaneously. Notably, the thiol containing leaving group of VX (2-(diisopropylamino)ethanethiol, DPAET) formed disulfide adducts that were released as cysteine and proline containing dipeptides originating from at least two different sites of HSA. Aim of this study was to identify assumed and novel adducts of DPAET with HSA using synthetic peptide reference compounds. Two novel tripeptides were identified representing disulfide adducts with DPAET (Met-Pro-Cys-DPAET, MPC-DPAET and Asp-Ile-Cys-DPAET, DIC-DPAET). MPC-DPAET was shown to undergo partial in-source decay during electrospray ionization for MS detection thereby losing the N-terminal Met residue. This results in the more stable Pro-Cys-DPAET (PC-DPAET) dipeptide detectable as protonated ion. The limit of detection for MPC-DPAET was evaluated, revealing toxicologically relevant VX plasma concentrations. The results provide novel insights into the reactivity of VX and its endogenous targets. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  13. Polyglycerolsulfate Functionalized Gold Nanorods as Optoacoustic Signal Nanoamplifiers for In Vivo Bioimaging of Rheumatoid Arthritis

    PubMed Central

    Vonnemann, Jonathan; Beziere, Nicolas; Böttcher, Christoph; Riese, Sebastian B.; Kuehne, Christian; Dernedde, Jens; Licha, Kai; von Schacky, Claudio; Kosanke, Yvonne; Kimm, Melanie; Meier, Reinhard; Ntziachristos, Vasilis; Haag, Rainer

    2014-01-01

    We have synthesized a targeted imaging agent for rheumatoid arthritis based on polysulfated gold nanorods. The CTAB layer on gold nanorods was first replaced with PEG-thiol and then with dendritic polyglycerolsulfate at elevated temperature, which resulted in significantly reduced cytotoxicity compared to polyanionic gold nanorods functionalized by non-covalent approaches. In addition to classical characterization methods, we have established a facile UV-VIS based BaCl2 agglomeration assay to confirm a quantitative removal of unbound ligand. With the help of a competitive surface plasmon resonance-based L-selectin binding assay and a leukocyte adhesion-based flow cell assay, we have demonstrated the high inflammation targeting potential of the synthesized gold nanorods in vitro. In combination with the surface plasmon resonance band of AuNRs at 780 nm, these findings permitted the imaging of inflammation in an in vivo mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis with high contrast using multispectral optoacoustic tomography. The study offers a robust method for otherwise difficult to obtain covalently functionalized polyanionic gold nanorods, which are suitable for biological applications as well as a low-cost, actively targeted, and high contrast imaging agent for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This paves the way for further research in other inflammation associated pathologies, in particular, when photothermal therapy can be applied. PMID:24723984

  14. Regulation of Hippocampal Glutamate Receptors: Evidence for the Involvement of a Calcium-Activated Protease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baudry, Michel; Lynch, Gary

    1980-04-01

    Specific [3H]glutamate binding to rat hippocampal membranes and the calcium-induced increase in this binding are markedly temperature-sensitive and are inhibited by alkylating or reducing agents as well as by various protease inhibitors. N-Ethylmaleimide, chloromethyl ketone derivatives of lysine and phenylalanine, and tosylarginine methyl ester decrease the maximum number of [3H]glutamate binding sites without changing their affinity for glutamate. Preincubation of the membranes with glutamate does not protect the glutamate ``receptors'' from the suppressive effects of these agents. The proteases trypsin and α -chymotrypsin increase the maximum number of [3H]glutamate binding sites. The effects of calcium on glutamate binding are different across brain regions. Cerebellar membranes are almost insensitive whereas hippocampal and striatal membranes exhibit a strong increase in the number of binding sites after exposure to even low concentrations of calcium. These results suggest that an endogenous membrane-associated thiol protease regulates the number of [3H]glutamate binding sites in hippocampal membranes and that this is the mechanism by which calcium stimulates glutamate binding. The possibility is discussed that the postulated mechanisms participate in synaptic physiology and in particular may be related to the long-term potentiation of transmission found in hippocampus under certain conditions.

  15. Protein glutathionylation protects wheat (Triticum aestivum Var. Sonalika) against Fusarium induced oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Mohapatra, Subhalaxmi; Mittra, Bhabatosh

    2016-12-01

    Fusarium induced oxidative stress could be recovered by reversible protein oxidative modification through the process of glutathionylation in co-stressed (low-dose (50 μM) Cd 2+ pre-treatment followed by Fusarium inoculation) wheat seedlings. Co-stressed seedlings showed low disease severity index as compared to Fusarium infected seedlings. A reduced level of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and carbonyl contents due to irreversible protein oxidation were observed in co-stressed seedlings as compared to Fusarium infected seedlings. Further, a comparative biochemical assay showed an enhanced glutathione content in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. In an investigation, reduced glutathione pre-coated agarose gel beads were used to pull down proteins having affinity with GSH. Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase and 3-Phosphoglycerate kinase were observed to be co-existed in co-stressed seedlings when analysed by LC-MS/MS after being processed through protein-pull assay. Co-stressed tissues showed an enhanced free protein thiol content as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. The ratio of free thiol to thiol disulfides was also observed to be increased in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. In contrast, the quantitative assay by Ellman's reagent and qualitative analysis by diagonal gel electrophoresis showed enhanced protein thiol disulfides in Fusarium infected tissues as compared to co-stressed tissues. Further, glutaredoxin, responsible for the reverse reduction of proteins was observed to be enhanced in co-stressed tissues as compared to Fusarium infected tissues. Thus, a low dose Cd 2+ triggered glutathionylation is suggestive of offering tolerance against Fusarium induced oxidative stress and protects target proteins from irreversible modification and permanent damage in wheat. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  16. Structural and Mechanistic Insights into Unusual Thiol Disulfide Oxidoreductase

    PubMed Central

    Garcin, Edwige B.; Bornet, Olivier; Elantak, Latifa; Vita, Nicolas; Pieulle, Laetitia; Guerlesquin, Françoise; Sebban-Kreuzer, Corinne

    2012-01-01

    Cytoplasmic desulfothioredoxin (Dtrx) from the anaerobe Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough has been identified as a new member of the thiol disulfide oxidoreductase family. The active site of Dtrx contains a particular consensus sequence, CPHC, never seen in the cytoplasmic thioredoxins and generally found in periplasmic oxidases. Unlike canonical thioredoxins (Trx), Dtrx does not present any disulfide reductase activity, but it presents instead an unusual disulfide isomerase activity. We have used NMR spectroscopy to gain insights into the structure and the catalytic mechanism of this unusual Dtrx. The redox potential of Dtrx (−181 mV) is significantly less reducing than that of canonical Trx. A pH dependence study allowed the determination of the pKa of all protonable residues, including the cysteine and histidine residues. Thus, the pKa values for the thiol group of Cys31 and Cys34 are 4.8 and 11.3, respectively. The His33 pKa value, experimentally determined for the first time, differs notably as a function of the redox states, 7.2 for the reduced state and 4.6 for the oxidized state. These data suggest an important role for His33 in the molecular mechanism of Dtrx catalysis that is confirmed by the properties of mutant DtrxH33G protein. The NMR structure of Dtrx shows a different charge repartition compared with canonical Trx. The results presented are likely indicative of the involvement of this protein in the catalysis of substrates specific of the anaerobe cytoplasm of DvH. The study of Dtrx is an important step toward revealing the molecular details of the thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase catalytic mechanism. PMID:22128175

  17. Homocysteinemia control by cysteine in cerebral vascular patients after methionine loading test: evidences in physiological and pathological conditions in cerebro-vascular and multiple sclerosis patients.

    PubMed

    Ulivelli, Monica; Priora, Raffaella; Di Giuseppe, Danila; Coppo, Lucia; Summa, Domenico; Margaritis, Antonios; Frosali, Simona; Bartalini, Sabina; Martini, Giuseppe; Cerase, Alfonso; Di Simplicio, Paolo

    2016-06-01

    The toxicity risk of hyperhomocysteinemia is prevented through thiol drug administration which reduces plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations by activating thiol exchange reactions. Assuming that cysteine (Cys) is a homocysteinemia regulator, the hypothesis was verified in healthy and pathological individuals after the methionine loading test (MLT). The plasma variations of redox species of Cys, Hcy, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and albumin (reduced, HS-ALB, and at mixed disulfide, XSS-ALB) were compared in patients with cerebral small vessels disease (CSVD) (n = 11), multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 12) and healthy controls (n = 11) at 2-4-6 h after MLT. In MLT-treated subjects, the activation of thiol exchange reactions provoked significant changes over time in redox species concentrations of Cys, Hcy, and albumin. Significant differences between controls and pathological groups were also observed. In non-methionine-treated subjects, total Cys concentrations, tHcy and thiol-protein mixed disulfides (CSS-ALB, HSS-ALB) of CSVD patients were higher than controls. After MLT, all groups displayed significant cystine (CSSC) increases and CSS-ALB decreases, that in pathological groups were significantly higher than controls. These data would confirm the Cys regulatory role on the homocysteinemia; they also explain that the Cys-Hcy mixed disulfide excretion is an important point of hyperhomocysteinemia control. Moreover, in all groups after MLT, significant increases in albumin concentrations, named total albumin (tALB) and measured as sum of HS-ALB (spectrophometric), and XSS-ALB (assayed at HPLC) were observed. tALB increases, more pronounced in healthy than in the pathological subjects, could indicate alterations of albumin equilibria between plasma and other extracellular spaces, whose toxicological consequences deserve further studies.

  18. Chemiluminescence analysis of antioxidant capacity for serum albumin isolated from healthy or uremic volunteers.

    PubMed

    Huang, Chih-Yang; Liou, Show-Yih; Kuo, Wei-Wen; Wu, Hsi-Chin; Chang, Yen-Lin; Chen, Tung-Sheng

    2016-12-01

    Regular hemodialysis treatment induces an elevation in oxidative stress in patients with end-stage renal failure, resulting in oxidative damage of the most abundant serum protein, albumin. Oxidation of serum albumin causes depletion of albumin reactive thiols, leading to oxidative modification of serum albumin. The aim of this study was to screen the antioxidant capacity of albumins isolated from uremic patients (HD-ALB) or healthy volunteers (N-ALB). From high-performance liquid chromatography spectra, we observed that one uremic solute binds to HD-ALB via the formation of disulfide bonds between HD-ALB and the uremic solute. Furthermore, we found using chemiluminescent analysis that the antioxidant capacities for N-ALB to scavenge reactive oxygen species including singlet oxygen, hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide were higher than HD-ALB. Our results suggest that protein-bound uremic solute binds to albumin via formation of disulfide bonds, resulting in the depletion of albumin reactive thiols. The depletion of albumin reactive thiols leads to a reduced antioxidant capacity of HD-ALB, implying postmodification of albumin. This situation may reduce the antioxidant capacity of albumin and increase oxidative stress, resulting in increase in complications related to oxidative damage in uremic patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  19. Nitrogen-Fixing Nodules Are an Important Source of Reduced Sulfur, Which Triggers Global Changes in Sulfur Metabolism in Lotus japonicus.

    PubMed

    Kalloniati, Chrysanthi; Krompas, Panagiotis; Karalias, Georgios; Udvardi, Michael K; Rennenberg, Heinz; Herschbach, Cornelia; Flemetakis, Emmanouil

    2015-09-01

    We combined transcriptomic and biochemical approaches to study rhizobial and plant sulfur (S) metabolism in nitrogen (N) fixing nodules (Fix(+)) of Lotus japonicus, as well as the link of S-metabolism to symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the effect of nodules on whole-plant S-partitioning and metabolism. Our data reveal that N-fixing nodules are thiol-rich organs. Their high adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate reductase activity and strong (35)S-flux into cysteine and its metabolites, in combination with the transcriptional upregulation of several rhizobial and plant genes involved in S-assimilation, highlight the function of nodules as an important site of S-assimilation. The higher thiol content observed in nonsymbiotic organs of N-fixing plants in comparison to uninoculated plants could not be attributed to local biosynthesis, indicating that nodules are an important source of reduced S for the plant, which triggers whole-plant reprogramming of S-metabolism. Enhanced thiol biosynthesis in nodules and their impact on the whole-plant S-economy are dampened in plants nodulated by Fix(-) mutant rhizobia, which in most respects metabolically resemble uninoculated plants, indicating a strong interdependency between N-fixation and S-assimilation. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

  20. Formation of 4-ethoxy-4'-nitrosodiphenylamine in the reaction of the phenacetin metabolite 4-nitrosophenetol with glutathione.

    PubMed

    Klehr, H; Eyer, P; Schäfer, W

    1987-08-01

    Phenacetin, a constituent of several analgesic and antipyretic formulations has been made responsible for a variety of toxic and carcinogenic actions. 4-Nitrosophenetol, the N-oxydation product of intermediate 4-phenetidine, forms methemoglobin and binds covalently to sulfhydryl groups of proteins and glutathione. In the reaction of 4-nitrosophenetol with glutathione and other thiols an intermediate so-called "semimercaptal" is formed from which N-(thiol-S-yl)-4-phenetidine S-oxide, N-(thiol-S-yl)-4-phenetidine and 4-phenetidine derive. Besides thiol adducts, a yellow compound is formed which was isolated as a pure crystalline product (elemental analysis) and identified by FAB-MS, EI-MS, 13C-, 1H-NMR, and UV-VIS spectroscopy as 4-ethoxy-4'-nitrosodiphenylamine. This nitrosoarene is formed by an unknown mechanism from 4-nitrosophenetol and 4-phenetidine under liberation of ethanol. In human erythrocytes this compound is easily reduced to 4-amino-4'-ethoxydiphenylamine (FAB-MS, EI-MS, 13C-NMR). During the reaction of 4-nitrosophenetol with red cells only traces of 4-ethoxy-4'-nitrosodiphenylamine were formed, whereas up to 10% appeared as the reduction product 4-amino-4'-ethoxydiphenylamine. This latter compound is unstable in red cells and is metabolized further to unidentified products.

  1. Exposure of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, to gold nanoparticles and the pro-oxidant menadione.

    PubMed

    Tedesco, Sara; Doyle, Hugh; Blasco, Julian; Redmond, Gareth; Sheehan, David

    2010-03-01

    Relatively little is known about how gold nanoparticles (GNP) might interact in vivo with marine organisms. Mytilus edulis was exposed (24h) to approximately 15 nm GNP, menadione and both compounds simultaneously (GNP/menadione). GNP was detected by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy mainly in digestive gland of samples exposed to GNP though not GNP/menadione, perhaps due to impaired feeding. Thioredoxin reductase activity and malondialdehyde levels were determined in all tissues. Thioredoxin reductase inhibition was detected only in digestive gland exposed to menadione whilst malondialdehyde levels did not vary in response to treatment in all tissues. GNP caused a decrease in the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio in digestive gland, but no difference was found in other tissues or for other treatments. One dimensional electrophoresis of proteins containing thiol groups was performed in all tissues and revealed a reduction in protein thiols for all treatments in digestive gland. Two dimensional electrophoresis of digestive gland extracts, from GNP and control groups, showed decreased levels of thiol proteins in response to GNP which we attribute to oxidation. Our results suggest that GNP causes a modest level of oxidative stress sufficient to oxidize thiols in glutathione and proteins but without causing lipid peroxidation or induction of thioredoxin reductase activity.

  2. Cysteine based novel noncompetitive inhibitors of urease(s)--distinctive inhibition susceptibility of microbial and plant ureases.

    PubMed

    Amtul, Zareen; Kausar, Naheed; Follmer, Cristian; Rozmahel, Richard F; Atta-Ur-Rahman; Kazmi, Syed Arif; Shekhani, Mohammed Saleh; Eriksen, Jason L; Khan, Khalid M; Choudhary, Mohammad Iqbal

    2006-10-01

    Based on the catalysis mechanism of urease, a homologous series of 10 cysteine derivatives (CysDs) was designed and synthesized, and their inhibitory activities were evaluated for microbial ureases (Bacillus pasteurii, BPU, and Proteus mirabilis, PMU) and for a plant urease [jack bean (Cavavalia ensiformis), JBU]. As already described, thiol-compounds might inhibit urease activity by chelating the nickel atoms involved in the catalysis process. In contrast to cysteine, which has been reported to be a very weak urease inhibitor, we verified a potential inhibitory activity of these CysDs. The kinetic data demonstrate that thiol derivatives are more effective than the respective thioether derivatives. Besides, thiol-CysDs had a reduced activity in acidic pH (5.0). Lineweaver-Burk plots indicated that the nature of inhibition was of noncompetitive type for all 10 compounds, with the minimum Ki value of 2 microM for N,N-dimethyl L-cysteine. It is proposed that these classes of compounds are more potent inhibitors of the bacterial ureases, compared with the plant-originated urease. Since microbial urease is directly involved in the infection process of many pathological organisms, this work demonstrates that thiol-CysDs represent a class of new potential urease inhibitors.

  3. Modeling of S-Nitrosothiol-Thiol Reactions of Biological Significance: HNO Production by S-Thiolation Requires a Proton Shuttle and Stabilization of Polar Intermediates.

    PubMed

    Ivanova, Lena V; Cibich, Daniel; Deye, Gregory; Talipov, Marat R; Timerghazin, Qadir K

    2017-04-18

    Nitroxyl (HNO), a reduced form of the important gasotransmitter nitric oxide, exhibits its own unique biological activity. A possible biological pathway of HNO formation is the S-thiolation reaction between thiols and S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs). Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that S-thiolation proceeds through a proton transfer from the thiol to the RSNO nitrogen atom, which increases electrophilicity of the RSNO sulfur, followed by nucleophilic attack by thiol, yielding a charge-separated zwitterionic intermediate structure RSS + (R)N(H)O - (Zi), which decomposes to yield HNO and disulfide RSSR. In the gas phase, the proton transfer and the S-S bond formation are asynchronous, resulting in a high activation barrier (>40 kcal mol -1 ), making the reaction infeasible. However, the barrier can decrease below the S-N bond dissociation energy in RSNOs (≈30 kcal mol -1 ) upon transition into an aqueous environment that stabilizes Zi and provides a proton shuttle to synchronize the proton transfer and the S-S bond formation. These mechanistic features suggest that S-thiolation can easily lend itself to enzymatic catalysis and thus can be a possible route of endogenous HNO production. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  4. Synthesis of quantum dots

    DOEpatents

    McDaniel, Hunter

    2017-10-17

    Common approaches to synthesizing alloyed quantum dots employ high-cost, air-sensitive phosphine complexes as the selenium precursor. Disclosed quantum dot synthesis embodiments avoid these hazardous and air-sensitive selenium precursors. Certain embodiments utilize a combination comprising a thiol and an amine that together reduce and complex the elemental selenium to form a highly reactive selenium precursor at room temperature. The same combination of thiol and amine acts as the reaction solvent, stabilizing ligand, and sulfur source in the synthesis of quantum dot cores. A non-injection approach may also be used. The optical properties of the quantum dots synthesized by this new approach can be finely tuned for a variety of applications by controlling size and/or composition of size and composition. Further, using the same approach, a shell can be grown around a quantum dot core that improves stability, luminescence efficiency, and may reduce toxicity.

  5. Location of the redox-active thiols of ribonucleotide reductase: sequences similarity between the Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus leichmannii enzymes

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

    Lin, A.N.I.; Ashley, G.W.; Stubbe, J.

    1987-11-03

    The redox-active thiols of Escherichia coli ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase and of Lactobacillus leichmannii ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase have been located by a procedure involving (1) prereduction of enzyme with dithiothreitol, (2) specific oxidation of the redox-active thiols by treatment with substrate in the absence of exogenous reductant, (3) alkylation of other thiols with iodoacetamide, and (4) reduction of the disulfides with dithiothreitol and alkylation with (1-/sup 14/C)iodoacetamide. The dithiothreitol-reduce E. coli B1 subunit is able to convert 3 equiv of CDP to dCDP and is labeled with 5.4 equiv of /sup 14/C. Sequencing of tryptic peptides shows that 2.8 equiv ofmore » /sup 14/C is on cysteines-752 and -757 at the C-terminus of B1, while 1.0-1.5 equiv of /sup 14/C is on cysteines-222 and -227. It thus appears that two sets of redox-active dithiols are involved in substrate reduction. The L. leichmannii reductase is able to convert 1.1 equiv of CTP to dCTP and is labeled with 2.1 equiv of /sup 14/C. Sequencing of tryptic peptides shows that 1.4 equiv of /sup 14/C is located on the two cysteines of C-E-G-G-A-C-P-I-K. This peptide shows remarkable and unexpected similarity to the thiol-containing region of the C-terminal peptide of E. coli B1, C-E-S-G-A-C-K-I.« less

  6. Mutational analysis of RsrA, a zinc-binding anti-sigma factor with a thiol-disulphide redox switch.

    PubMed

    Paget, M S; Bae, J B; Hahn, M Y; Li, W; Kleanthous, C; Roe, J H; Buttner, M J

    2001-02-01

    In the Gram-positive bacterium, Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), expression of the thioredoxin system is modulated by a sigma factor called sigmaR in response to changes in the cytoplasmic thiol-disulphide status, and the activity of sigmaR is controlled post-translationally by an anti-sigma factor, RsrA. In vitro, the anti-sigma factor activity of RsrA, which contains seven cysteines, correlates with its thiol-disulphide redox status. Here, we investigate the function of RsrA in vivo. A constructed rsrA null mutant had very high constitutive levels of disulphide reductase activity and sigmaR-dependent transcription, confirming that RsrA is a negative regulator of sigmaR and a key sensor of thiol-disulphide status. Targeted mutagenesis revealed that three of the seven cysteines in RsrA (C11, C41 and C44) were essential for anti-sigma factor activity and that a mutant RsrA protein containing only these three cysteines was active and still redox sensitive in vivo. We also show that RsrA is a metalloprotein, containing near-stoichiometric amounts of zinc. On the basis of these data, we propose that a thiol-disulphide redox switch is formed between two of C11, C41 and C44, and that all three residues play an essential role in anti-sigma factor activity in their reduced state, perhaps by acting as ligands for zinc. Unexpectedly, rsrA null mutants were blocked in sporulation, probably as a consequence of an increase in the level of free sigmaR.

  7. Thiol oxidation of hemolymph proteins in oysters Crassostrea brasiliana as markers of oxidative damage induced by urban sewage exposure.

    PubMed

    Trevisan, Rafael; Flores-Nunes, Fabrício; Dolores, Euler S; Mattos, Jacó J; Piazza, Clei E; Sasaki, Sílvio T; Taniguchi, Satie; Montone, Rosalinda C; Bícego, Márcia C; Dos Reis, Isis M M; Zacchi, Flávia L; Othero, Bárbara N M; Bastolla, Camila L V; Mello, Danielle F; Fraga, Ana Paula M; Wendt, Nestor; Toledo-Silva, Guilherme; Razzera, Guilherme; Dafre, Alcir L; de Melo, Cláudio M R; Bianchini, Adalto; Marques, Maria R F; Bainy, Afonso C D

    2017-07-01

    Urban sewage is a concerning issue worldwide, threatening both wildlife and human health. The present study investigated protein oxidation in mangrove oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) exposed to seawater from Balneário Camboriú, an important tourist destination in Brazil that is affected by urban sewage. Oysters were exposed for 24 h to seawater collected close to the Camboriú River (CAM1) or 1 km away (CAM2). Seawater from an aquaculture laboratory was used as a reference. Local sewage input was marked by higher levels of coliforms, nitrogen, and phosphorus in seawater, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), linear alkylbenzenes (LABs), and fecal steroid in sediments at CAM1. Exposure of oysters to CAM1 caused marked bioaccumulation of LABs and decreased PAH and PCB concentrations after exposure to both CAM1 and CAM2. Protein thiol oxidation in gills, digestive gland, and hemolymph was evaluated. Lower levels of reduced protein thiols were detected in hemolymph from CAM1, and actin, segon, and dominin were identified as targets of protein thiol oxidation. Dominin susceptibility to oxidation was confirmed in vitro by exposure to peroxides and hypochlorous acid, and 2 cysteine residues were identified as potential sites of oxidation. Overall, these data indicate that urban sewage contamination in local waters has a toxic potential and that protein thiol oxidation in hemolymph could be a useful biomarker of oxidative stress in bivalves exposed to contaminants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1833-1845. © 2016 SETAC. © 2016 SETAC.

  8. Disulfide cross-linked polyurethane micelles as a reduction-triggered drug delivery system for cancer therapy.

    PubMed

    Yu, Shuangjiang; Ding, Jianxun; He, Chaoliang; Cao, Yue; Xu, Weiguo; Chen, Xuesi

    2014-05-01

    Nanoscale carriers that stably load drugs in blood circulation and release the payloads in desirable sites in response to a specific trigger are of great interest for smart drug delivery systems. For this purpose, a novel type of disulfide core cross-linked micelles, which are facilely fabricated by cross-linking of poly(ethylene glycol)/polyurethane block copolymers containing cyclic disulfide moieties via a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction, are developed. A broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), is loaded into the micelles as a model drug. The drug release from the core cross-linked polyurethane micelles (CCL-PUMs) loaded with DOX is suppressed in normal phosphate buffer saline (PBS), whereas it is markedly accelerated with addition of an intracellular reducing agent, glutathione (GSH). Notably, although DOX-loaded CCL-PUMs display lower cytotoxicity in vitro compared to either free DOX or DOX-loaded uncross-linked polyurethane micelles, the drug-loaded CCL-PUMs show the highest anti-tumor efficacy with reduced toxicity in vivo. Since enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and reduced toxic side effects are key aspects of efficient cancer therapy, the novel reduction-responsive CCL-PUMs may hold great potential as a bio-triggered drug delivery system for cancer therapy. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  9. Antioxidants as Potential Therapeutics for Lung Fibrosis

    PubMed Central

    DAY, BRIAN J.

    2009-01-01

    Interstitial lung disease encompasses a large group of chronic lung disorders associated with excessive tissue remodeling, scarring, and fibrosis. The evidence of a redox imbalance in lung fibrosis is substantial, and the rationale for testing antioxidants as potential new therapeutics for lung fibrosis is appealing. Current animal models of lung fibrosis have clear involvement of ROS in their pathogenesis. New classes of antioxidant agents divided into catalytic antioxidant mimetics and antioxidant scavengers are being developed. The catalytic antioxidant class is based on endogenous antioxidant enzymes and includes the manganese-containing macrocyclics, porphyrins, salens, and the non–metal-containing nitroxides. The antioxidant scavenging class is based on endogenous antioxidant molecules and includes the vitamin E analogues, thiols, lazaroids, and polyphenolic agents. Numerous studies have shown oxidative stress to be associated with many interstitial lung diseases and that these agents are effective in attenuating fibroproliferative responses in the lung of animals and humans. PMID:17999627

  10. Interaction of dacarbazine and imexon, in vitro and in vivo, in human A375 melanoma cells.

    PubMed

    Samulitis, Betty K; Dorr, Robert T; Chow, H-H Sherry

    2011-09-01

    We evaluated mechanisms of interaction between the alkyating agent dacarbazine (DTIC) and the pro-oxidant, imexon, in the human A375 melanoma cell line. The effect of DTIC and imexon, alone and in combination, was evaluated for growth inhibition (MTT), radiolabeled drug uptake, cellular thiol content (HPLC), and DNA strand breaks (Comet assay). Pharmacokinetic and antitumor effects were evaluated in mice. Growth inhibition in vitro was additive with the two drugs. There was no effect on drug uptake or on the number of DNA strand breaks. There was a >75% reduction in cellular glutathione and cysteine with imexon but not DTIC. Co-administration of the two drugs in mice caused an increase in the area under the curve of both drugs, but the combination was not effective in reducing human A375 melanoma tumors in vivo. Imexon and dacarbazine show additive effects in vitro but not in vivo in human A375 melanoma cells.

  11. Latex-mediated synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles: green synthesis approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hudlikar, Manish; Joglekar, Shreeram; Dhaygude, Mayur; Kodam, Kisan

    2012-05-01

    A low-cost, green synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles is reported using 0.3 % latex solution prepared from Jatropha curcas L. ZnS nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, UV-vis optical absorption and photoluminescence techniques. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was performed to find the role of cyclic peptides namely curcacycline A (an octapeptide), curcacycline B (a nonapeptide) and curcain (an enzyme) as a possible reducing and stabilizing agents present in the latex of J. curcas L. The average size of ZnS nanoparticles was found to be 10 nm. Latex of J. curcas L. itself acts as a source of sulphide (S-2) ions that are donated to Zn ions under present experimental conditions. Source of sulphide (S-2) ions is still unclear, but we speculate that cysteine or thiol residues present in enzyme curcain may be donating these sulphide (S-2) ions.

  12. The Role of Follicular Fluid Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Tola, Esra Nur; Köroğlu, Nadiye; Ergin, Merve; Oral, Hilmi Baha; Turgut, Abdülkadir; Erel, Özcan

    2018-04-04

    Oxidative stress is suggested as a potential triggering factor in the etiopathogenesis of Polycystic ovary syndrome related infertility. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis, a recently oxidative stress marker, is one of the antioxidant mechanism in human which have critical roles in folliculogenesis and ovulation. The aim of our study is to investigate follicular fluid thiol/disulphide homeostasis in the etiopathogenesis of Polycystic ovary syndrome and to determine its' association with in vitro fertilization outcome. The study procedures were approved by local ethic committee. Cross sectional design Methods: Follicular fluid of twenty-two Polycystic ovary syndrome women and twenty ovulatory controls undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment were recruited. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was analyzed via a novel spectrophotometric method. Follicular native thiol levels were found to be lower in Polycystic ovary syndrome group than non- Polycystic ovary syndrome group (p=0.041) as well as native thiol/total thiol ratio (p<0.0001). Disulphide level, disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were increased in Polycystic ovary syndrome group (p<0.0001). A positive correlation between fertilization rate and native thiol (p=0.01, r=0.53) and total thiol (p=0.01, r=0.052) among Polycystic ovary syndrome patients was found. A positive predictive effect of native thiol on fertilization rate among Polycystic ovary syndrome group was also found (p=0.03, β=0.45, 95% CI=0.031-0.643). Deterioration in thiol/disulphide homeostasis, especially elevated disulphide levels could be one of the etiopathogenetic mechanism in Polycystic ovary syndrome. Increased native thiol levels is related to fertilization rate among Polycystic ovary syndrome patients and also positive predictor marker of fertilization rate among Polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Improvement of thiol/disulphide homeostasis could be of importance in the treatment of Polycystic ovary syndrome to increase in vitro fertilization success in Polycystic ovary syndrome.

  13. Crystal Structure of the ERp44-Peroxiredoxin 4 Complex Reveals the Molecular Mechanisms of Thiol-Mediated Protein Retention.

    PubMed

    Yang, Kai; Li, De-Feng; Wang, Xi'e; Liang, Jinzhao; Sitia, Roberto; Wang, Chih-Chen; Wang, Xi

    2016-10-04

    ERp44 controls the localization and transport of diverse proteins in the early secretory pathway. The mechanisms that allow client recognition and the source of the oxidative power for forming intermolecular disulfides are as yet unknown. Here we present the structure of ERp44 bound to a client, peroxiredoxin 4. Our data reveal that ERp44 binds the oxidized form of peroxiredoxin 4 via thiol-disulfide interchange reactions. The structure explains the redox-dependent recognition and characterizes the essential non-covalent interactions at the interface. The ERp44-Prx4 covalent complexes can be reduced by glutathione and protein disulfide isomerase family members in the ER, allowing the two components to recycle. This work provides insights into the mechanisms of thiol-mediated protein retention and indicates the key roles of ERp44 in this biochemical cycle to optimize oxidative folding and redox homeostasis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Drying effects on the antioxidant properties of tomatoes and ginger.

    PubMed

    Gümüşay, Özlem Aktürk; Borazan, Alev Akpınar; Ercal, Nuran; Demirkol, Omca

    2015-04-15

    In this study, the effects of four different drying processes, sun drying (SD), oven drying (OD), vacuum oven drying (VOD) and freeze drying (FD) for tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) in terms of thiolic and phenolic contents have been studied. Thiol content, total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA) content, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) were determined in fresh and dried samples. Glutathione (GSH) and cysteine (Cys) were determined as the thiol contents of tomatoes and ginger. Significant losses were observed in the contents of TPC, AA, GSH and Cys and CUPRAC values in all samples that were dried using the thermal method. There was a statistically significant difference in the losses of the TPC, AA, and thiol contents between the use of thermal drying and freeze drying (except Cys in tomatoes) methods. Freeze dried tomato and ginger samples have been found to have better antioxidant properties. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Advanced clay nanocomposites based on in situ photopolymerization utilizing novel polymerizable organoclays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Soon Ki

    Polymer nanocomposite technology has had significant impact on material design. With the environmental advantages of photopolymerization, a research has recently focused on producing nanocomposites utilizing inexpensive clay particles based on in situ photopolymerization. In this research, novel polymerizable organoclays and thiol-ene photopolymerization have been utilized to develop advanced photopolymer clay nanocomposites and to overcome several limitations in conventional free radical photopolymers. To this end, factors important in nanocomposite processes such as monomer composition, clay dispersion, and photopolymerization behavior in combination with the evolution of ultimate nanocomposite properties have been investigated. For monomer-organoclay compositions, higher chemical compatibility of components induces enhanced clay exfoliation, resulting in photopolymerization rate increases due to an amplified clay template effect. Additionally, by affecting the stoichiometric ratio between thiol and acrylate double bond in the clay gallery, thiolated organoclays enhance thiol-ene copolymerization with increased final thiol conversion while acrylated organoclays encourage acrylate homopolymerization. In accordance with the reaction behavior, incorporation of thiolated organoclays makes polymer chains more flexible with decreased glass transition temperature due to higher formation of thio-ether linkages while adding acrylated organoclays significantly increases the modulus. Photopolymer nanocomposites also help overcome two major drawbacks in conventional free radical photopolymerization, namely severe polymerization shrinkage and oxygen inhibition during polymerization. With addition of a low level of thiol monomers, the oxygen inhibition in various acrylate systems can be overcome by addition of only 5wt% thiolated organoclay. The same amount of polymerizable organoclay also induces up to 90% decreases in the shrinkage stress for acrylate or thiol-acrylate systems. However, nonreactive clays do not reduce the stress substantially and even decreases the polymerization rate in air. Additionally, the clay morphology and polymerization behavior are closely related with evolution of ultimate nanocomposite performance. Use of polymerizable organoclay significantly improves overall toughness of nanocomposites by increasing either modulus or elongation at break based on the type of polymerizable organoclay, which demonstrates the promise of this technology as a modulation and/or optimization tool for nanocomposite properties.

  16. Facile quantitation of free thiols in a recombinant monoclonal antibody by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with hydrophobicity-tailored thiol derivatization.

    PubMed

    Welch, Leslie; Dong, Xiao; Hewitt, Daniel; Irwin, Michelle; McCarty, Luke; Tsai, Christina; Baginski, Tomasz

    2018-06-02

    Free thiol content, and its consistency, is one of the product quality attributes of interest during technical development of manufactured recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We describe a new, mid/high-throughput reversed-phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method coupled with derivatization of free thiols, for the determination of total free thiol content in an E. coli-expressed therapeutic monovalent monoclonal antibody mAb1. Initial selection of the derivatization reagent used an hydrophobicity-tailored approach. Maleimide-based thiol-reactive reagents with varying degrees of hydrophobicity were assessed to identify and select one that provided adequate chromatographic resolution and robust quantitation of free thiol-containing mAb1 forms. The method relies on covalent derivatization of free thiols in denatured mAb1 with N-tert-butylmaleimide (NtBM) label, followed by RP-HPLC separation with UV-based quantitation of native (disulfide containing) and labeled (free thiol containing) forms. The method demonstrated good specificity, precision, linearity, accuracy and robustness. Accuracy of the method, for samples with a wide range of free thiol content, was demonstrated using admixtures as well as by comparison to an orthogonal LC-MS peptide mapping method with isotope tagging of free thiols. The developed method has a facile workflow which fits well into both R&D characterization and quality control (QC) testing environments. The hydrophobicity-tailored approach to the selection of free thiol derivatization reagent is easily applied to the rapid development of free thiol quantitation methods for full-length recombinant antibodies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Surface modification of a biodegradable magnesium alloy with phosphorylcholine (PC) and sulfobetaine (SB) functional macromolecules for reduced thrombogenicity and acute corrosion resistance.

    PubMed

    Ye, Sang-Ho; Jang, Yong-Seok; Yun, Yeo-Heung; Shankarraman, Venkat; Woolley, Joshua R; Hong, Yi; Gamble, Lara J; Ishihara, Kazuhiko; Wagner, William R

    2013-07-02

    Siloxane functionalized phosphorylcholine (PC) or sulfobetaine (SB) macromolecules (PCSSi or SBSSi) were synthesized to act as surface modifying agents for degradable metallic surfaces to improve acute blood compatibility and slow initial corrosion rates. The macromolecules were synthesized using a thiol-ene radical photopolymerization technique and then utilized to modify magnesium (Mg) alloy (AZ31) surfaces via an anhydrous phase deposition of the silane functional groups. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface analysis results indicated successful surface modification based on increased nitrogen and phosphorus or sulfur composition on the modified surfaces relative to unmodified AZ31. In vitro acute thrombogenicity assessment after ovine blood contact with the PCSSi and SBSSi modified surfaces showed a significant decrease in platelet deposition and bulk phase platelet activation compared with the control alloy surfaces. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data obtained from electrochemical corrosion testing demonstrated increased corrosion resistance for PCSSi- and SBSSi-modified AZ31 versus unmodified surfaces. The developed coating technique using PCSSi or SBSSi showed promise in acutely reducing both the corrosion and thrombotic processes, which would be attractive for application to blood contacting devices, such as vascular stents, made from degradable Mg alloys.

  18. A compound-based proteomic approach discloses 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester as a new PPARγ partial agonist with anti-proliferative ability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vasaturo, Michele; Fiengo, Lorenzo; de Tommasi, Nunziatina; Sabatino, Lina; Ziccardi, Pamela; Colantuoni, Vittorio; Bruno, Maurizio; Cerchia, Carmen; Novellino, Ettore; Lupo, Angelo; Lavecchia, Antonio; Piaz, Fabrizio Dal

    2017-01-01

    Proteomics based approaches are emerging as useful tools to identify the targets of bioactive compounds and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action. Here, we applied a chemical proteomic strategy to identify the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as a molecular target of the pro-apoptotic agent 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester (compound 1). We demonstrated that compound 1 interacts with PPARγ, forms a covalent bond with the thiol group of C285 and occupies the sub-pocket between helix H3 and the β-sheet of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the receptor by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), mass spectrometry-based studies and docking experiments. 1 displayed partial agonism of PPARγ in cell-based transactivation assays and was found to inhibit the AKT pathway, as well as its downstream targets. Consistently, a selective PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) greatly reduced the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of 1, providing the molecular basis of its action. Collectively, we identified 1 as a novel PPARγ partial agonist and elucidated its mode of action, paving the way for therapeutic strategies aimed at tailoring novel PPARγ ligands with reduced undesired harmful side effects.

  19. A compound-based proteomic approach discloses 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester as a new PPARγ partial agonist with anti-proliferative ability

    PubMed Central

    Vasaturo, Michele; Fiengo, Lorenzo; De Tommasi, Nunziatina; Sabatino, Lina; Ziccardi, Pamela; Colantuoni, Vittorio; Bruno, Maurizio; Cerchia, Carmen; Novellino, Ettore; Lupo, Angelo; Lavecchia, Antonio; Piaz, Fabrizio Dal

    2017-01-01

    Proteomics based approaches are emerging as useful tools to identify the targets of bioactive compounds and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action. Here, we applied a chemical proteomic strategy to identify the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as a molecular target of the pro-apoptotic agent 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester (compound 1). We demonstrated that compound 1 interacts with PPARγ, forms a covalent bond with the thiol group of C285 and occupies the sub-pocket between helix H3 and the β-sheet of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the receptor by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), mass spectrometry-based studies and docking experiments. 1 displayed partial agonism of PPARγ in cell-based transactivation assays and was found to inhibit the AKT pathway, as well as its downstream targets. Consistently, a selective PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) greatly reduced the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of 1, providing the molecular basis of its action. Collectively, we identified 1 as a novel PPARγ partial agonist and elucidated its mode of action, paving the way for therapeutic strategies aimed at tailoring novel PPARγ ligands with reduced undesired harmful side effects. PMID:28117438

  20. A compound-based proteomic approach discloses 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester as a new PPARγ partial agonist with anti-proliferative ability.

    PubMed

    Vasaturo, Michele; Fiengo, Lorenzo; De Tommasi, Nunziatina; Sabatino, Lina; Ziccardi, Pamela; Colantuoni, Vittorio; Bruno, Maurizio; Cerchia, Carmen; Novellino, Ettore; Lupo, Angelo; Lavecchia, Antonio; Piaz, Fabrizio Dal

    2017-01-24

    Proteomics based approaches are emerging as useful tools to identify the targets of bioactive compounds and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action. Here, we applied a chemical proteomic strategy to identify the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) as a molecular target of the pro-apoptotic agent 15-ketoatractyligenin methyl ester (compound 1). We demonstrated that compound 1 interacts with PPARγ, forms a covalent bond with the thiol group of C285 and occupies the sub-pocket between helix H3 and the β-sheet of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of the receptor by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), mass spectrometry-based studies and docking experiments. 1 displayed partial agonism of PPARγ in cell-based transactivation assays and was found to inhibit the AKT pathway, as well as its downstream targets. Consistently, a selective PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) greatly reduced the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of 1, providing the molecular basis of its action. Collectively, we identified 1 as a novel PPARγ partial agonist and elucidated its mode of action, paving the way for therapeutic strategies aimed at tailoring novel PPARγ ligands with reduced undesired harmful side effects.

  1. A novel quantitative electrochemical method to monitor DNA double-strand breaks caused by a DNA cleavage agent at a DNA sensor.

    PubMed

    Banasiak, Anna; Cassidy, John; Colleran, John

    2018-06-01

    To date, DNA cleavage, caused by cleavage agents, has been monitored mainly by gel and capillary electrophoresis. However, these techniques are time-consuming, non-quantitative and require gel stains. In this work, a novel, simple and, importantly, a quantitative method for monitoring the DNA nuclease activity of potential anti-cancer drugs, at a DNA electrochemical sensor, is presented. The DNA sensors were prepared using thiol-modified oligonucleotides that self-assembled to create a DNA monolayer at gold electrode surfaces. The quantification of DNA double-strand breaks is based on calculating the DNA surface coverage, before and after exposure to a DNA cleavage agent. The nuclease properties of a model DNA cleavage agent, copper bis-phenanthroline ([Cu II (phen) 2 ] 2+ ), that can cleave DNA in a Fenton-type reaction, were quantified electrochemically. The DNA surface coverage decreased on average by 21% after subjecting the DNA sensor to a nuclease assay containing [Cu II (phen) 2 ] 2+ , a reductant and an oxidant. This percentage indicates that 6 base pairs were cleaved in the nuclease assay from the immobilised 30 base pair strands. The DNA cleavage can be also induced electrochemically in the absence of a chemical reductant. [Cu II (phen) 2 ] 2+ intercalates between DNA base pairs and, on application of a suitable potential, can be reduced to [Cu I (phen) 2 ] + , with dissolved oxygen acting as the required oxidant. This reduction process is facilitated through DNA strands via long-range electron transfer, resulting in DNA cleavage of 23%. The control measurements for both chemically and electrochemically induced cleavage revealed that DNA strand breaks did not occur under experimental conditions in the absence of [Cu II (phen) 2 ] 2+ . Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Synthesis of cyclic, multivalent Arg-Gly-Asp using sequential thiol-ene/thiol-yne photoreactions

    PubMed Central

    Aimetti, Alex A.; Feaver, Kristen R.

    2014-01-01

    A unique method has been developed for the formation of multivalent cyclic peptides. This procedure exploits on-resin peptide cyclization using a photoinitiated thiol-ene click reaction and subsequent clustering using thiol-yne photochemistry. Both reactions utilize the sulfhydryl group on natural cysteine amino acids to participate in the thiol-mediated reactions. PMID:20552127

  3. Molecular Characterization of Thiols in Fossil Fuels by Michael Addition Reaction Derivatization and Electrospray Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Wang, Meng; Zhao, Suoqi; Liu, Xuxia; Shi, Quan

    2016-10-04

    Thiols widely occur in sediments and fossil fuels. However, the molecular composition of these compounds is unclear due to the lack of appropriate analytical methods. In this work, a characterization method for thiols in fossil fuels was developed on the basis of Michael addition reaction derivatization followed by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). Model thiol compound studies showed that thiols were selectively reacted with phenylvinylsulfone and transformed to sulfones with greater than 98% conversions. This method was applied to a coker naphtha, light and heavy gas oils, and crude oils from various geological sources. The results showed that long alkyl chain thiols are readily present in petroleum, which have up to 30 carbon atoms. Large DBE dispersity of thiols indicates that naphthenic and aromatic thiols are also present in the petroleum. This method is capable of detecting thiol compounds in the part per million range by weight. This method allows characterization of thiols in a complex hydrocarbon matrix, which is complementary to the comprehensive analysis of sulfur compounds in fossil fuels.

  4. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

    PubMed

    Korkmaz, V; Kurdoglu, Z; Alisik, M; Turgut, E; Sezgın, O O; Korkmaz, H; Ergun, Y; Erel, O

    2017-04-01

    To evaluate the impact of postmenopausal osteoporosis on thiol/disulfide homeostasis. A total of 75 participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 40) was composed of healthy postmenopausal women, and group 2 (n = 35) was composed of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Clinical findings and thiol/disulfide homeostasis were compared between the two groups. The disulfide/native thiol ratio was 8.6% ± 3.6 in group 1 and 12.7% ± 8.4 in group 2 (p = 0.04). The disulfide/native thiol percent ratio was significantly higher in group 2 after adjustment for the years since menopause and age (p < 0.05). The native thiol/total thiol percent ratio was 85.6% ± 4.8 in group 1 and 73.8% ± 24.9 in group 2 (p = 0.01). The native thiol/total thiol percent ratio was significantly lower in group 2 after adjustment for the years since menopause and age (p < 0.05). Thiol/disulfide homeostasis shifted to the disulfide side independent of age and years since menopause in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

  5. Impedance Biosensing to detect food allergens, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and food pathogens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Radhakrishnan, Rajeswaran

    Electrochemical impedance biosensors can be viewed as an AC electroanalytical method for the analyte detection in the fields of biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and food and agriculture, amongst others. The most common format for AC impedance biosensing involves surface immobilization of an antibody, receptor protein, DNA strand, or other species capable of bio-recognition, and AC impedance detection of the binding event. Technological application of AC impedance biosensors has been hindered by several obstacles, including the more complex circuitry required for AC relative to DC electrochemistry, chemical and physical interference arising from non-specific adsorption, and the stability and reproducibility of protein immobilization. One focus of these PhD studies is on methods to reduce or compensate for non-specific adsorption, including sample dilution, site blocking with BSA, and the use of control electrodes onto which reference antibodies are immobilized. Examples that will be presented include impedance detection of food pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes, using a mouse monoclonal antibody immobilized onto an Au electrode. This yields detection limits of 5 CFU/ml and 4 CFU/ml for ideal solutions and filtered tomato extract, respectively. Control experiments with an Au electrode onto which a mouse monoclonal antibody to GAPDH is immobilized demonstrate that non-specific adsorption is insignificant for the system and methodology studied here. Control experiments with Salmonella enterica demonstrate no cross-reactivity to this food pathogen. In addition, Detection of two endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC), norfluoxetine and BDE-47, is reported here by impedance biosensing, with a detection limit of 8.5 and 1.3 ng/ml for norfluoxetine and BDE-47, respectively. Additional research has focused on alternative substrates and linker chemistries for protein immobilization, including the use of degenerate (highly doped) Si and bidendate thiol monolayer onto Au. Advantages of degenerate Si include a simpler equivalent circuit, simple and reproducible surface preparation, easy incorporation into ULSI devices, and the greater strength of Si-C bonds (~520 kJ/mole) relative to Au-S bonds (125-150 kJ/mole). New results demonstrating antibody regeneration atop degenerate (highly doped) Si are also reported. Using 0.2 M KSCN and 10 mM HF for antibody regeneration, peanut protein Ara h 1 is detected daily during a thirty-day trial. An impedance biosensor is reported that employs the bidentate thiol 16-[3,5-bis(mercaptomethyl)phenoxy]-hexadecanoic acid (BMPHA) to immobilize the mouse monoclonal antibody to peanut protein Ara h 1. The detection limit for Ara h 1 is approximately 0.71 ng/mL (0.01 nM), which is about one order of magnitude lower than that obtained for antibody immobilization atop the monodendate thiol, 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (16 MHA). Antibody regeneration was studied daily using a gentle denaturing agent, 0.2 M KSCN at pH 7.3. The antibody-coated on Au electrodes retained activity towards Ara h1 for 10 and 20 days of regeneration of the monodendate- and BMPHA-coated Au electrodes, respectively. This prolonged activity illustrates the superior stability of protein films atop the BMPHA bidentate thiol- coated Au electrode relative to the 16-MHA monodendate thiol-coated Au electrode.

  6. Combinational chelation therapy abrogates lead-induced neurodegeneration in rats.

    PubMed

    Pachauri, Vidhu; Saxena, Geetu; Mehta, Ashish; Mishra, Deepshikha; Flora, Swaran J S

    2009-10-15

    Lead, a ubiquitous and potent neurotoxicant causes oxidative stress which leads to numerous neurobehavioral and physiological alterations. The ability of lead to bind sulfhydryl groups or compete with calcium could be one of the reasons for its debilitating effects. In the present study, we addressed: i) if chelation therapy could circumvent the altered oxidative stress and prevent neuronal apoptosis in chronic lead-intoxicated rats, ii) whether chelation therapy could reverse biochemical and behavioral changes, and iii) if mono or combinational therapy with captopril (an antioxidant) and thiol chelating agents (DMSA/MiADMSA) is more effective than individual thiol chelator in lead-exposed rats. Results indicated that lead caused a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and intracellular free calcium levels along with altered behavioral abnormalities in locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, learning, and memory that were supported by changes in neurotransmitter levels. A fall in membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, and DNA damage indicated mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Most of these alterations showed significant recovery following combined therapy with captopril with MiADMSA and to a smaller extend with captopril+DMSA over monotherapy with these chelators. It could be concluded from our present results that co-administration of a potent antioxidant (like captopril) might be a better treatment protocol than monotherapy to counter lead-induced oxidative stress. The major highlight of the work is an interesting experimental evidence of the efficacy of combinational therapy using an antioxidant with a thiol chelator in reversing neurological dystrophy caused due to chronic lead exposure in rats.

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

    Pachauri, Vidhu; Saxena, Geetu; Mehta, Ashish

    Lead, a ubiquitous and potent neurotoxicant causes oxidative stress which leads to numerous neurobehavioral and physiological alterations. The ability of lead to bind sulfhydryl groups or compete with calcium could be one of the reasons for its debilitating effects. In the present study, we addressed: i) if chelation therapy could circumvent the altered oxidative stress and prevent neuronal apoptosis in chronic lead-intoxicated rats, ii) whether chelation therapy could reverse biochemical and behavioral changes, and iii) if mono or combinational therapy with captopril (an antioxidant) and thiol chelating agents (DMSA/MiADMSA) is more effective than individual thiol chelator in lead-exposed rats. Resultsmore » indicated that lead caused a significant increase in reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and intracellular free calcium levels along with altered behavioral abnormalities in locomotor activity, exploratory behavior, learning, and memory that were supported by changes in neurotransmitter levels. A fall in membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, and DNA damage indicated mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Most of these alterations showed significant recovery following combined therapy with captopril with MiADMSA and to a smaller extend with captopril + DMSA over monotherapy with these chelators. It could be concluded from our present results that co-administration of a potent antioxidant (like captopril) might be a better treatment protocol than monotherapy to counter lead-induced oxidative stress. The major highlight of the work is an interesting experimental evidence of the efficacy of combinational therapy using an antioxidant with a thiol chelator in reversing neurological dystrophy caused due to chronic lead exposure in rats.« less

  8. Iron catalyzed conversion of NO into nitrosonium (NO+) and nitroxyl (HNO/NO-) species.

    PubMed

    Stojanović, Srdjan; Stanić, Dragana; Nikolić, Milan; Spasić, Mihailo; Niketić, Vesna

    2004-11-01

    The conversion of NO into its congeners, nitrosonium (NO+) and nitroxyl (HNO/NO-) species, has important consequences in NO metabolism. Dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC) combined with thiol ligands was shown to catalyze the conversion of NO into NO+, resulting in the synthesis of S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) both in vitro and in vivo. The formation mechanism of DNIC was proposed to involve the intermediate release of nitroxyl. Since the detection of hydroxylamine (as the product of a rapid reaction of HNO/NO- with thiols) is taken as the evidence for nitroxyl generation, we examined the formation of hydroxylamine, RSNO, and nitrite (the product of a rapid reaction of NO+ with water) in neutral solutions containing iron ions and thiols exposed to NO under anaerobic conditions. Hydroxylamine was detected in NO treated solutions of iron ions in the presence of cysteine, but not glutathione (GSH). The addition of urate, a major "free" iron-binding agent in humans, to solutions of GSH and iron ions, and the subsequent treatment of these solutions with NO increased the synthesis of GSNO and resulted in the formation of hydroxylamine. This caused a loss of urate and yielded a novel nitrosative/nitration product. GSH attenuated the urate decomposition to such a degree that it could be reflected as the function of GSH:urate. Results described here contribute to the understanding of the role of iron ions in catalyzing the conversion of NO into HNO/NO- and point to the role of uric acid not previously described.

  9. Controlled free radical attack in the apoplast: a hypothesis for roles of O, N and S species in regulatory and polysaccharide cleavage events during rapid abscission by Azolla.

    PubMed

    Cohen, Michael F; Gurung, Sushma; Fukuto, Jon M; Yamasaki, Hideo

    2014-03-01

    Shedding of organs by abscission is a key terminal step in plant development and stress responses. Cell wall (CW) loosening at the abscission zone can occur through a combination chain breakage of apoplastic polysaccharides and tension release of cellulose microfibrils. Two distinctly regulated abscission cleavage events are amenable to study in small water ferns of the genus Azolla; one is a rapid abscission induced by environmental stimuli such as heat or chemicals, and the other is an ethylene-induced process occurring more slowly through the action of hydrolytic enzymes. Although free radicals are suggested to be involved in the induction of rapid root abscission, its mechanism is not fully understood. The apoplast contains peroxidases, metal-binding proteins and phenolic compounds that potentially generate free radicals from H2O2 to cleave polysaccharides in the CW and middle lamella. Effects of various thiol-reactive agents implicate the action of apoplastic peroxidases having accessible cysteine thiols in rapid abscission. The Ca(2+) dependency of rapid abscission may reflect the stabilization Ca(2+) confers to peroxidase structure and binding to pectin. To spur further investigation, we present a hypothetical model for small signaling molecules H2O2 and NO and their derivatives in regulating, via modification of putative protein thiols, free radical attack of apoplastic polysaccharides. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

    PubMed Central

    Dogru, Atalay; Balkarli, Ayse; Cetin, Gozde Yildirim; Neselioglu, Salim; Erel, Ozcan; Tunc, Sevket Ercan; Sahin, Mehmet

    2016-01-01

    Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. In many inflammatory diseases, increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is associated with an increase in oxidative stress mediators. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis is a marker for oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in AS. Sixty-nine patients with AS and 60 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to determine the disease activity. Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels were measured with a novel automated method recently described by Erel and Neselioglu. The aforementioned method is also optionally manual spectrophotometric assay. The total thiol levels were significantly lower in the AS group compared with the control group (p = 0.03). When the patients were divided into active (n = 35) and inactive (n = 34) subgroups using BASDAI scores, the native plasma thiol and total thiol levels were significantly lower in the active AS patients compared to the inactive AS patients (p = 0.02, p = 0.03 respectively). There was a negative correlation between the plasma native thiol levels and VAS, BASDAI scores. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis may be used for elucidating the effects of oxidative stress in AS. Understanding the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in AS might provide new therapeutic intervention strategies for patients. PMID:27186972

  11. Fully automated synthesis of 4-[18F]fluorobenzylamine based on borohydride/NiCl2 reduction.

    PubMed

    Way, Jenilee; Wuest, Frank

    2013-04-01

    4-[(18)F]Fluorobenzylamine ([(18)F]FBA) is an important building block for the synthesis of (18)F-labeled compounds. Synthesis of [(18)F]FBA usually involves application of strong reducing agents like LiAlH4 which is challenging to handle in automated synthesis units (ASUs). Therefore, alternative methods for the preparation of [(18)F]FBA compatible with remotely-controlled syntheses in ASUs are needed. (18)F]FBA was prepared in a remotely-controlled synthesis unit (GE TRACERlab™ FX) based on Ni(II)-mediated borohydride exchange resin (BER) reduction of 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzonitrile ([(18)F]FBN). [(18)F]FBA was used for the synthesis of novel thiol-reactive prosthetic group 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl)maleimide [(18)F]FBM and Hsp90 inhibitor 17-(4-[(18)F]fluorobenzylamino)-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin [(18)F] GA. [(18)F]FBA could be prepared in high radiochemical yield greater than 80% (decay-corrected) within 60min. In a typical experiment, 7.4GBq of [(18)F]FBA could be obtained in high radiochemical purity of greater than 95% starting from 10GBq of cyclotron-produced n.c.a. [(18)F]fluoride. [(18)F]FBA was used for the preparation of 4-[(18)F]fluorobenzyl)maleimide as a novel prosthetic group for labeling of thiol groups as demonstrated with tripeptide glutathione. [(18)F]FBA was also used as building block for the syntheses of small molecules as exemplified by the preparation of Hsp90 inhibitor 17-(4-[(18)F]fluorobenzylamino)-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin. The described remotely-controlled synthesis of [(18)F]FBA will significantly improve the availability of [(18)F]FBA as an important and versatile building block for the development of novel (18)F-labeled compounds containing a fluorobenzylamine moiety. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Time-dependent modulation of thioredoxin reductase activity might contribute to sulforaphane-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB binding to DNA.

    PubMed

    Heiss, Elke; Gerhäuser, Clarissa

    2005-01-01

    The chemopreventive agent sulforaphane (SFN) exerts anti-inflammatory activity by thiol-dependent inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding. To further analyze the underlying mechanisms, we focused on the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system as a key redox mechanism regulating NF-kappaB DNA binding. Using cultured Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages as a model, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), a known inhibitor of TrxR, was identified as an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production and of NF-kappaB DNA binding. CDNB and SFN acted synergistically with respect to inhibition of LPS-induced NO release, and we consequently identified SFN as a novel inhibitor of TrxR enzymatic activity in vitro. Short-term treatment of Raw macrophages with SFN or CDNB resulted in the inhibition of TrxR activity in vivo with half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 25.0 +/- 3.5 microM and 9.4 +/- 3.7 microM, respectively, whereas after a 24-h treatment with 25 microM SFN, TrxR activity was >1.5-fold elevated. In additional experiments, we could exclude that inhibition of trans-activating activity of NF-kappaB contributed to the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory proteins by SFN, based on transient transfection experiments with a (kappaB)(2)- chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct and a lack of inhibition of protein kinase A activity. These findings further emphasize the importance of redox modulation or thiol reactivity for the regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription by SFN. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1601-1611. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1601-1611.

  13. Pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation of multi-functional thiol-6-fluoro-6-deoxy-d-glucose gold nanoparticles in vivo

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roa, Wilson; Xiong, Yeping; Chen, Jie; Yang, Xiaoyan; Song, Kun; Yang, Xiaohong; Kong, Beihua; Wilson, John; Xing, James Z.

    2012-09-01

    We synthesized a novel, multi-functional, radiosensitizing agent by covalently linking 6-fluoro-6-deoxy-d-glucose (6-FDG) to gold nanoparticles (6-FDG-GNPs) via a thiol functional group. We then assessed the bio-distribution and pharmacokinetic properties of 6-FDG-GNPs in vivo using a murine model. At 2 h, following intravenous injection of 6-FDG-GNPs into the murine model, approximately 30% of the 6-FDG-GNPs were distributed to three major organs: the liver, the spleen and the kidney. PEGylation of the 6-FDG-GNPs was found to significantly improve the bio-distribution of 6-FDG-GNPs by avoiding unintentional uptake into these organs, while simultaneously doubling the cellular uptake of GNPs in implanted breast MCF-7 adenocarcinoma. When combined with radiation, PEG-6-FDG-GNPs were found to increase the apoptosis of the MCF-7 breast adenocarinoma cells by radiation both in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacokinetic data indicate that GNPs reach their maximal concentrations at a time window of two to four hours post-injection, during which optimal radiation efficiency can be achieved. PEG-6-FDG-GNPs are thus novel nanoparticles that preferentially accumulate in targeted cancer cells where they act as potent radiosensitizing agents. Future research will aim to substitute the 18F atom into the 6-FDG molecule so that the PEG-6-FDG-GNPs can also function as radiotracers for use in positron emission tomography scanning to aid cancer diagnosis and image guided radiation therapy planning.

  14. Gel Permeation Chromatography Characterization of the Chain Length Distributions in Thiol-Acrylate Photopolymer Networks

    PubMed Central

    Rydholm, Amber E.; Held, Nicole L.; Bowman, Christopher N.; Anseth, Kristi S.

    2008-01-01

    Crosslinked, degradable networks formed from the photopolymerization of thiol and acrylate monomers are explored as potential biomaterials. The degradation behavior and material properties of these networks are influenced by the molecular weight of the nondegradable thiol-polyacrylate backbone chains that form during photopolymerization. Here, gel permeation chromatography was used to characterize the thiol-polyacrylate backbone chain lengths in degraded thiol-acrylate networks. Increasing thiol functionality from 1 to 4 increased the backbone molecular weight (M̄w = 2.3 ± 0.07 × 104 Da for monothiol and 3.6 ± 0.1 × 104 Da for tetrathiol networks). Decreasing thiol functional group concentration from 30 to 10 mol% also increased the backbone lengths (M̄w = 7.3 ± 1.1 × 104 Da for the networks containing 10 mol% thiol groups as compared to 3.6 ± 0.1 × 104 Da for 30 mol% thiol). Finally, the backbone chain lengths were probed at various stages of degradation and an increase in backbone molecular weight was observed as mass loss progressed from 10 to 70%. PMID:19079733

  15. Glutathione exposes sequential IgE-epitopes in ovomucoid relevant in persistent egg allergy.

    PubMed

    Roth-Walter, Franziska; Starkl, Philipp; Zuberbier, Torsten; Hummel, Karin; Nöbauer, Karin; Razzazi-Fazeli, Ebrahim; Brunner, Richard; Pali-Schöll, Isabella; Kinkel, Janis; Felix, Ferdinand; Jensen-Jarolim, Erika; Kinaciyan, Tamar

    2013-03-01

    Patients with persistent egg allergy have more immunoglobulin E (IgE) against sequential than conformational epitopes of ovomucoid (OVO). Here, we aimed to identify compounds capable to render sequential epitopes in egg. Glutathione was used for in vitro reduction of OVO and circular dichroism analyses were performed. Glutathione reduced OVO in a concentration-dependent manner. Egg white was analyzed for reduced proteins with a thiol probe and by MALDI-TOF/TOF. In unprocessed total egg white, several reduced proteins were detected by the thiol probe, among them reduced ovalbumin could be confirmed with MS analyses. Egg-allergics or sensitized controls were tested serologically (n = 19) for IgE against native and reduced OVO and in skin prick tests (n = 9). More patients had IgE against reduced than native OVO in Western blots. In skin prick test, five out of seven persistent egg-allergics and none of the controls reacted with reduced OVO. Reduced egg proteins are present in natural egg white. Glutathione, which is present in egg and furthermore is used as texture-improving additive in processed food, is capable of reducing OVO. Patients with persistent egg allergy reacted rather to reduce the native OVO. Hence, our data indicate that reduction is a novel natural and processing-associated principle, which contributes to the allergenicity of food. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  16. Simultaneous LC/MS/MS determination of thiols and disulfides in urine samples based on differential labeling with ferrocene-based maleimides.

    PubMed

    Seiwert, Bettina; Karst, Uwe

    2007-09-15

    A method for the simultaneous determination of a series of thiols and disulfides in urine samples has been developed based on the sequential labeling of free and bound thiol functionalities with two ferrocene-based maleimide reagents. The sample is first exposed to N-(2-ferroceneethyl)maleimide, thus leading to the derivatization of free thiol groups in the sample. After quantitative reaction and subsequent reduction of the disulfide-bound thiols by tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine, the newly formed thiol functionalities are reacted with ferrocenecarboxylic acid-(2-maleimidoyl)ethylamide. The reaction products are determined by LC/MS/MS in the multiple reaction mode, and precursor ion scan as well as neutral loss scan is applied to detect unknown further thiols. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of free and disulfide-bound thiols in urine samples. Limits of detection are 30 to 110 nM, and the linear range comprises two decades of concentration, thus covering the relevant concentration range of thiols in urine samples. The thiol and disulfide concentrations were referred to the creatinine content to compensate for different sample volumes. As some calibration standards for the disulfides are not commercially available, they were synthesized in an electrochemical flow-through cell. This allowed the synthesis of hetero- and homodimeric disulfides.

  17. CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF TOTAL REDUCED SULFUR COMPOUNDS FROM PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRIES WITH OZONE AS AN OXIDANT

    EPA Science Inventory

    Pulp and paper industry generates more than 144 million lb of VOCs per year including a range of reduced sulfur compounds (TRS) such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), methane thiol (MT) and H2S that are odorous, toxic and contribute to smog formation. Thermal ...

  18. Yeast mitochondrial glutathione is an essential antioxidant with mitochondrial thioredoxin providing a back-up system

    PubMed Central

    Gostimskaya, Irina; Grant, Chris M.

    2016-01-01

    Glutathione is an abundant, low-molecular-weight tripeptide whose biological importance is dependent upon its redox-active free sulphydryl moiety. Its role as the main determinant of thiol-redox control has been challenged such that it has been proposed to play a crucial role in iron–sulphur clusters maturation, and only a minor role in thiol redox regulation, predominantly as a back-up system for the cytoplasmic thioredoxin system. Here, we have tested the importance of mitochondrial glutathione in thiol-redox regulation. Glutathione reductase (Glr1) is an oxidoreductase which converts oxidized glutathione to its reduced form. Yeast Glr1 localizes to both the cytosol and mitochondria and we have used a Glr1M1L mutant that is constitutively localized to the cytosol to test the requirement for mitochondrial Glr1. We show that the loss of mitochondrial Glr1 specifically accounts for oxidant sensitivity of a glr1 mutant. Loss of mitochondrial Glr1 does not influence iron–sulphur cluster maturation and we have used targeted roGFP2 fluorescent probes to show that oxidant sensitivity is linked to an altered redox environment. Our data indicate mitochondrial glutathione is crucial for mitochondrial thiol-redox regulation, and the mitochondrial thioredoxin system provides a back-up system, but cannot bear the redox load of the mitochondria on its own. PMID:26898146

  19. Integrating a high-force optical trap with gold nanoposts and a robust gold-DNA bond.

    PubMed

    Paik, D Hern; Seol, Yeonee; Halsey, Wayne A; Perkins, Thomas T

    2009-08-01

    Gold-thiol chemistry is widely used in nanotechnology but has not been exploited in optical-trapping experiments due to laser-induced ablation of gold. We circumvented this problem by using an array of gold nanoposts (r = 50-250 nm, h approximately 20 nm) that allowed for quantitative optical-trapping assays without direct irradiation of the gold. DNA was covalently attached to the gold via dithiol phosphoramidite (DTPA). By using three DTPAs, the gold-DNA bond was not cleaved in the presence of excess thiolated compounds. This chemical robustness allowed us to reduce nonspecific sticking by passivating the unreacted gold with methoxy-(polyethylene glycol)-thiol. We routinely achieved single beads anchored to the nanoposts by single DNA molecules. We measured DNA's elasticity and its overstretching transition, demonstrating moderate- and high-force optical-trapping assays using gold-thiol chemistry. Force spectroscopy measurements were consistent with the rupture of the strepavidin-biotin bond between the bead and the DNA. This implied that the DNA remained anchored to the surface due to the strong gold-thiol bond. Consistent with this conclusion, we repeatedly reattached the trapped bead to the same individual DNA molecule. Thus, surface conjugation of biomolecules onto an array of gold nanostructures by chemically and mechanically robust bonds provides a unique way to carry out spatially controlled, repeatable measurements of single molecules.

  20. Low Nourishment of Vitamin C Induces Glutathione Depletion and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Young Adults.

    PubMed

    Waly, Mostafa I; Al-Attabi, Zahir; Guizani, Nejib

    2015-09-01

    The present study was conducted to assess the status of vitamin C among healthy young adults in relation to serum antioxidant parameters [glutathione (GSH), thiols, and total antioxidant capacity, (TAC)], and oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrites plus nitrates (NN)]. A prospective study included 200 young adults, and their dietary intake was assessed by using food diaries. Fasting plasma vitamin C, serum levels of GSH, thiols, TAC, MDA, and NN were measured using biochemical assays. It was observed that 38% of the enrolled subjects, n=76, had an adequate dietary intake of vitamin C (ADI group). Meanwhile, 62%, n=124, had a low dietary intake of vitamin C (LDI group) as compared to the recommended dietary allowances. The fasting plasma level of vitamin C was significantly higher in the ADI group as compared to the LDI group. Oxidative stress in the sera of the LDI group was evidenced by depletion of GSH, low thiols levels, impairment of TAC, an elevation of MDA, and increased NN. In the ADI group, positive correlations were found between plasma vitamin C and serum antioxidant parameters (GSH, thiols, and TAC). Meanwhile, the plasma vitamin C was negatively correlated with serum MDA and NN levels. This study reveals a significant increase of oxidative stress status and reduced antioxidant capacity in sera from healthy young adults with low intake of the dietary antioxidant, vitamin C.

  1. Beneficial influence of ellagic acid on biochemical indexes associated with experimentally induced colon carcinogenesis.

    PubMed

    Syed, Umesalma; Ganapasam, Sudhandiran

    2017-01-01

    To elucidate the key biochemical indexes associated with 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis and the modulatory efficacy of a dietary polyphenol, ellagic acid (EA). Wistar rats were chosen to study objective, and were divided into 4 groups; Group 1-control rats; Group 2-rats received EA (60 mg/kg body weight/day, orally); rats in Group 3-induced with DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously for 15 weeks; DMH-induced Group 4 rats were initiated with EA treatment. We examined key citric acid cycle enzymes such as isocitrate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and the activities of respiratory chain enzymes NADH dehydrogenase and Cytochrome-C-oxidase and membrane-bound enzyme profiles (Na +/K + ATPase, Ca 2+ ATPase and Mg 2+ ATPase), activities of lysosomal proteases such as β-D-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase and N-acety-β-D-glucosaminidase and cellular thiols (oxidized glutathione, protein thiols, and total thiols). It was found that administration of DMH to rats decreased both mitochondrial and membrane-bound enzymes activities, increased activities of lysosomal enzymes and further modulates cellular thiols levels. Treatment with EA significantly restored the mitochondrial and ATPases levels and further reduced lysosomal enzymes to near normalcy thereby restoring harmful effects induced by DMH. EA treatment was able to effectively restore the detrimental effects induced by DMH, which proves the chemoprotective function of EA against DMH-induced experimental colon carcinogenesis.

  2. Thiols in the alphaIIbbeta3 integrin are necessary for platelet aggregation.

    PubMed

    Manickam, Nagaraj; Sun, Xiuhua; Hakala, Kevin W; Weintraub, Susan T; Essex, David W

    2008-07-01

    Sulfhydryl groups of platelet surface proteins are important in platelet aggregation. While p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonate (pCMBS) has been used in most studies on platelet surface thiols, the specific thiol-proteins that pCMBS reacts with to inhibit aggregation have not been well defined. Since the thiol-containing P2Y(12) ADP receptor is involved in most types of platelet aggregation, we used the ADP scavenger apyrase and the P2Y(12) receptor antagonist 2-MeSAMP to examine thiol-dependent reactions in the absence of contributions from this receptor. We provide evidence for a non-P2Y(12) thiol-dependent reaction near the final alphaIIbbeta3-dependent events of aggregation. We then used 3-(N-maleimidylpropionyl)biocytin (MPB) and pCMBS to study thiols in alphaIIbbeta3. As previously reported, disruption of the receptor was required to obtain labelling of thiols with MPB. Specificity of labelling for thiols in the alphaIIb and beta3 subunits was confirmed by identification of the purified proteins by mass spectrometry and by inhibition of labelling with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). In contrast to MPB, pCMBS preferentially reacted with thiols in alphaIIbbeta3 and blocked aggregation under physiological conditions. Similarly, pCMBS preferentially inhibited signalling-independent activation of alphaIIbbeta3 by Mn(2+). Our results suggest that the thiols in alphaIIbbeta3 that are blocked by pCMBS are important in the activation of this integrin.

  3. MicroRNAs as targets for dietary and pharmacological inhibitors of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Izzotti, Alberto; Cartiglia, Cristina; Steele, Vernon E.; De Flora, Silvio

    2012-01-01

    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in many biological processes, cancer, and other diseases. In addition, miRNAs are dysregulated following exposure to toxic and genotoxic agents. Here we review studies evaluating modulation of miRNAs by dietary and pharmacological agents, which could potentially be exploited for inhibition of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. This review covers natural agents, including vitamins, oligoelements, polyphenols, isoflavones, indoles, isothiocyanates, phospholipids, saponins, anthraquinones and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and synthetic agents, including thiols, nuclear receptor agonists, histone deacetylase inhibitors, antiinflammatory drugs, and selective estrogen receptor modulators. As many as 145 miRNAs, involved in the control of a variety of carcinogenesis mechanisms, were modulated by these agents, either individually or in combination. Most studies used cancer cells in vitro with the goal of modifying their phenotype by changing miRNA expression profiles. In vivo studies evaluated regulation of miRNAs by chemopreventive agents in organs of mice and rats, either untreated or exposed to carcinogens, with the objective of evaluating their safety and efficacy. The tissue specificity of miRNAs could be exploited for the chemoprevention of site-specific cancers, and the study of polymorphic miRNAs is expected to predict the individual response to chemopreventive agents as a tool for developing new prevention strategies. PMID:22683846

  4. Thiol functionalized polymethacrylic acid-based hydrogel microparticles for oral insulin delivery.

    PubMed

    Sajeesh, S; Vauthier, C; Gueutin, C; Ponchel, G; Sharma, Chandra P

    2010-08-01

    In the present study thiol functionalized polymethacrylic acid-polyethylene glycol-chitosan (PCP)-based hydrogel microparticles were utilized to develop an oral insulin delivery system. Thiol modification was achieved by grafting cysteine to the activated surface carboxyl groups of PCP hydrogels (Cys-PCP). Swelling and insulin loading/release experiments were conducted on these particles. The ability of these particles to inhibit protease enzymes was evaluated under in vitro experimental conditions. Insulin transport experiments were performed on Caco-2 cell monolayers and excised intestinal tissue with an Ussing chamber set-up. Finally, the efficacy of insulin-loaded particles in reducing the blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Thiolated hydrogel microparticles showed less swelling and had a lower insulin encapsulation efficiency as compared with unmodified PCP particles. PCP and Cys-PCP microparticles were able to inhibit protease enzymes under in vitro conditions. Thiolation was an effective strategy to improve insulin absorption across Caco-2 cell monolayers, however, the effect was reduced in the experiments using excised rat intestinal tissue. Nevertheless, functionalized microparticles were more effective in eliciting a pharmacological response in diabetic animal, as compared with unmodified PCP microparticles. From these studies thiolation of hydrogel microparticles seems to be a promising approach to improve oral delivery of proteins/peptides. Copyright 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Adsorption of Dissolved Metals in the Berkeley Pit using Thiol-Functionalized Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Supports (Thiol-SAMMS)

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

    Betancourt, Amaury P.; Mattigod, Shas V.; Wellman, Dawn M.

    2010-03-07

    The Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana, is heavily contaminated with dissolved metals. Adsorption and extraction of these metals can be accomplished through the use of a selective adsorbent. For this research, the adsorbent used was thiol-functionalized Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Supports (thiol-SAMMS), which was developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Thiol-SAMMS selectively binds to numerous types of dissolved metals. The objective of this research was to evaluate the loading and kinetics of aluminum, beryllium, copper, and zinc on thiol-SAMMS. For the loading tests, a series of Berkeley Pit water to thiol-SAMMS ratios (mL:g) were tested. These ratios were 1000:1,more » 500:1, 100:1, and 50:1. Berkeley Pit water is acidic (pH {approx} 2.5). This can affect the performance of SAMMS materials. Therefore, the effect of pH was evaluated by conducting parallel series of loading tests wherein the Berkeley Pit water was neutralized before or after addition of thiol-SAMMS, and a series of kinetics tests wherein the Berkeley Pit water was neutralized before addition of thiol-SAMMS for the first test and was not neutralized for the second test. For the kinetics tests, one Berkeley Pit water to thiol-SAMMS ratio was tested, which was 2000:1. The results of the loading and kinetics tests suggest that a significant decrease in dissolved metal concentration at Berkeley Pit could be realized through neutralization of Berkeley Pit water. Thiol-SAMMS technology has a limited application under the highly acidic conditions posed by the Berkeley Pit. However, thiol-SAMMS could provide a secondary remedial technique which would complete the remedial system and remove dissolved metals from the Berkeley Pit to below drinking water standards.« less

  6. Evaluation of dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel indicator of oxidative stress in maple syrup urine disease patients under treatment.

    PubMed

    Zubarioglu, Tanyel; Kiykim, Ertugrul; Cansever, Mehmet Serif; Neselioglu, Salim; Aktuglu-Zeybek, Cigdem; Erel, Ozcan

    2017-02-01

    Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a metabolic disorder that is caused by deficiency of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Although accumulation of toxic metabolites is associated with neurotoxicity, mechanisms underlying brain damage remain unclear. Aim of this study is to evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel indicator of oxidative stress in MSUD patients under treatment. Twenty patients with MSUD and 20 healthy individuals were included in study. All patients were under regular follow-up and had a good metabolic control. Serum native thiol (-SH), total thiol (-SH + -S-S-), disulphide (-S-S) levels were measured in all subjects. Disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios were calculated from these values. Simultaneous blood sampling for plasma quantitative amino acid analysis was performed in both groups. Any significant difference was not observed in -SH, -SH + -S-S-, -S-S levels between two groups. In addition no increase of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios was detected in patient group. This study is the first study that evaluates dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as an indicator of oxidative stress in MSUD patients. Among previous studies that were made to determine oxidative stress in treated MSUD patients, this study had the largest sample size also. In recent studies, it was claimed that oxidative stress could be responsible from neurotoxicity even in treated patients. Here, dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis status showed that providing good metabolic control in MSUD patients prevent oxidative stress. Under regular follow-up and good compliance with diet, additional antioxidant therapies would possibly not be necessary.

  7. Human Augmenter of Liver Regeneration; probing the catalytic mechanism of a flavin-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase†

    PubMed Central

    Schaefer-Ramadan, Stephanie; Gannon, Shawn A.; Thorpe, Colin

    2013-01-01

    Augmenter of liver regeneration is a member of the ERV family of small flavin-dependent sulfhydryl oxidases that contain a redox-active CxxC disulfide bond in redox communication with the isoalloxazine ring of bound FAD. These enzymes catalyze the oxidation of thiol substrates with the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. This work studies the catalytic mechanism of the short, cytokine, form of augmenter of liver regeneration (sfALR) using model thiol substrates of the enzyme. The redox potential of the proximal disulfide in sfALR was found to be approximately 57 mV more reducing than the flavin chromophore, in agreement with titration experiments. Rapid reaction studies show that dithiothreitol (DTT) generates a transient mixed disulfide intermediate with sfALR signaled by a weak charge-transfer interaction between the thiolate of C145 and the oxidized flavin. The subsequent transfer of reducing equivalents to the flavin ring is relatively slow, with a limiting apparent rate constant of 12.4 s−1. However, reoxidation of the reduced flavin by molecular oxygen is even slower (2.3 s−1 at air saturation), and thus largely limits turnover at 5 mM DTT. The nature of the charge-transfer complexes observed with DTT was explored using a range of simple monothiols to mimic the initial nucleophilic attack on the proximal disulfide. While β–mercaptoethanol is a very poor substrate of sfALR (~ 0.3 min−1 at 100 mM thiol), it rapidly generates a mixed disulfide intermediate allowing the thiolate of C145 to form a strong charge-transfer complex with the flavin. Unlike the other monothiols tested, glutathione is unable to form charge-transfer complexes and is an undetectable substrate of the oxidase. These data are rationalized on the basis of the stringent steric requirements for thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. The inability of the relatively bulky glutathione to attain the in-line geometry required for efficient disulfide exchange in sfALR may be physiologically important in preventing the oxidase from catalyzing the potentially harmful oxidation of intracellular glutathione. PMID:24147449

  8. Evidences of Reduced Antioxidant Activity in Patients With Chronic Migraine and Medication-Overuse Headache.

    PubMed

    Lucchesi, Cinzia; Baldacci, Filippo; Cafalli, Martina; Chico, Lucia; Lo Gerfo, Annalisa; Bonuccelli, Ubaldo; Siciliano, Gabriele; Gori, Sara

    2015-01-01

    Migraine is a complex multifactorial, neurobiological disorder, whose pathogenesis is not fully understood, nor are the mechanisms associated with migraine transformation from episodic to chronic pattern. A possible role of impaired oxidative mitochondrial metabolism in migraine pathogenesis has been hypothesized, and increased levels of peripheral markers of oxidative stress have been reported in migraine patients, although the literature data are limited and heterogeneous. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine plasmatic levels of advanced oxidation protein products, ferric-reducing antioxidant power and total plasmatic thiol groups, all plasmatic markers related to oxidative stress, in a sample of chronic migraine patients and medication-overuse headache, compared to a control group of healthy subjects. Thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of both chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache (International Classification of Headache Disorders,3rd edition, beta version) and 33 healthy, headache-free subjects were enrolled. Patients with comorbid/coexisting conditions were excluded, as well as patients in treatment with migraine preventive drugs. Plasmatic levels of advanced oxidation protein products, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, and total thiol groups were determined in migraine patients and controls; moreover, oxidative stress biomarkers were compared in migraine patients with triptan compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug overuse. The statistical analysis showed significantly lower levels of ferric-reducing antioxidant power and total plasmatic thiol groups, both expression of antioxidant power, in patients with chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache compared to controls (respectively, ferric antioxidant power median [interquartile range] 0.53 [0.22] vs 0.82 [0.11] mmol/L, P < .001; total thiol groups 0.25 [0.08] vs 0.51 [0.11] μmol/L, P < .001). Moreover, no statistically significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers were detected between patients with triptan and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug overuse. The data from the present study suggest that antioxidant capacity is lower in chronic migraine patients and medication-overuse headache compared to healthy headache-free subjects, with no differences between patients with triptan or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug overuse. Further investigation is certainly necessary in order to define the causal or consequential role of an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidant defenses in migraine pathogenesis and "chronification" and the possible therapeutic implications in clinical practice. © 2015 American Headache Society.

  9. Effect of Organic and Inorganic Passivation in Quantum-Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells.

    PubMed

    de la Fuente, Mauricio Solis; Sánchez, Rafael S; González-Pedro, Victoria; Boix, Pablo P; Mhaisalkar, S G; Rincón, Marina E; Bisquert, Juan; Mora-Seró, Iván

    2013-05-02

    The effect of semiconductor passivation on quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) has been systematically characterized for CdS and CdS/ZnS. We have found that passivation strongly depends on the passivation agent, obtaining an enhancement of the solar cell efficiency for compounds containing amine and thiol groups and, in contrast, a decrease in performance for passivating agents with acid groups. Passivation can induce a change in the position of TiO2 conduction band and also in the recombination rate and nature, reflected in a change in the β parameter. Especially interesting is the finding that β, and consequently the fill factor can be increased with the passivation treatment. Applying this strategy, record cells of 4.65% efficiency for PbS-based QDSCs have been produced.

  10. Extraction of heavy metals by mercaptans attached to silica gel by a corkscrew mechanism.

    PubMed

    Bowe, Craig A; Benson, Robert F; Martin, Dean F

    2002-09-01

    Saturated, straight chain mercaptans were attached to silica gel and used as coordinating agents for removal of cadmium(II), copper(II), lead(II), and nickel(II) ions from standard solutions. It is believed that the mercaptans become wedged in the silica pores, but are available for reaction. Four thiols were used, viz., 1-hexanethiol, 1-dodecanethiol, 1-hexadecanethiol, and 1-octadecanethiol. Standard solutions of metals (1.57 mM) were stirred with the supported mercaptans for two hours, and at 25 degrees C, and the sample supernatants were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. At pH = 8, the percent removal was 99 (Cd), 91.5 (Cu), 80.8 (Pb), and 97 (Ni). It was possible to acidify the metal-containing solids, and regenerate the supported chelating agents.

  11. The Role of Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Anthracycline Associated Cardiac Toxicity.

    PubMed

    Topuz, Mustafa; Şen, Omer; Kaplan, Mehmet; Akkus, Oguz; Erel, Ozcan; Gur, Mustafa

    2017-02-07

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the baseline thiol/disulfide state can predict the occurrence of anthracycline induced cardiac toxicity. A total of 186 cancer patients receiving anthracycline (doxorubicin)-based chemotherapy were enrolled. All patients underwent 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to determine their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood samples for measuring thiol forms were obtained before treatment and 4 weeks after completion of the chemotherapy. The mean dose of doxorubicin exposure was 255 ± 39.2 mg/m 2 . Baseline native thiol was found to be lower whereas baseline disulfide and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were found to be higher in patients who had a decrease in LVEF after anthracycline therapy. Also, the amount of decrease in LVEF was well correlated with the delta value of the thiol forms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that changes in BNP and global longitudinal strain (GLS), baseline level of native thiol, disulfide, and the disulfide/total thiol ratio were strong predictors for a decrease in LVEF.The thiol/disulfide pathway may be a factor for predicting chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity as one of the oxidative stress mechanisms.

  12. S-Nitrosation of monocarboxylate transporter 1: Inhibition of pyruvate-fueled respiration and proliferation of breast cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Diers, Anne R.; Broniowska, Katarzyna A.; Chang, Ching-Fang; Hill, R. Blake; Hogg, Neil

    2014-01-01

    Summary Energy substrates metabolized through mitochondria (e.g., pyruvate, glutamine) are required for biosynthesis of macromolecules in proliferating cells. Since several mitochondrial proteins are known to be targets of S-nitrosation, we determined whether bioenergetics are modulated by S-nitrosation and defined the subsequent effects on proliferation. The nitrosating agent S-nitroso-L-cysteine (L-CysNO) was used to initiate intracellular S-nitrosation, and treatment decreased mitochondrial function and inhibited proliferation of MCF7 mammary adenocarcinoma cells. Surprisingly, the D isomer of CysNO (D-CysNO) which is not transported into cells also caused mitochondrial dysfunction and limited proliferation. Both L- and D-CysNO also inhibited cellular pyruvate uptake and caused S-nitrosation of thiol groups on monocarboxylate transporter 1, a proton-linked pyruvate transporter. These data demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial metabolism in proliferative responses in breast cancer and highlight a novel role for inhibition of metabolic substrate uptake through S-nitrosation of exofacial protein thiols in cellular responses to nitrosative stress. PMID:24486553

  13. Alterations in brain glutathione homeostasis induced by the nerve gas soman.

    PubMed

    Klaidman, Lori K; Adams, James D; Cross, Robert; Pazdernik, Thomas L; Samson, Fred

    2003-01-01

    Public awareness of the dangers of chemical and biological warfare has been heightened in recent times. In particular, chemical nerve agents such as soman and its analogs have been developed and used in war as well as recent incidents, such as in Iraq and Japan. Soman, a rapid acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, produces a status epilepticus that leads to extensive neuropathology in vulnerable brain regions (eg, piriform cortex and hippocampus). This study was undertaken to determine whether oxidative mechanisms are involved in brain pathology during soman toxicity. Intracellular thiols such as glutathione (GSH) and protein sulfhydryls (PrSH) are among the most critical antioxidants used to combat oxidative stress. Here we report that during the seizure phase (1 h post soman exposure), PrSH levels in piriform cortex and hippocampus were decreased without changes in glutathione (GSH) levels. However, by 24 h post soman exposure (pathology phase), GSH levels were decreased by nearly 50% in the piriform cortex with a corresponding decrease in PrSH groups. The shift to a more oxidized thiol status indicates that oxygen free radicals likely participate in the neuropathology associated with soman-induced seizures.

  14. Assessment of the aroma impact of major odor-active thiols in pan-roasted white sesame seeds by calculation of odor activity values.

    PubMed

    Tamura, Hitoshi; Fujita, Akira; Steinhaus, Martin; Takahisa, Eisuke; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Schieberle, Peter

    2011-09-28

    Eleven odor-active thiols, namely, 2-methyl-1-propene-1-thiol, (Z)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (Z)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol, 3-mercapto-2-pentanone, 2-mercapto-3-pentanone, 4-mercapto-3-hexanone, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, and 2-methyl-3-thiophenethiol, recently identified in an extract prepared from white sesame seeds, were quantitated in sesame using stable isotope dilution analyses. For that purpose, the following deuterium-labeled compounds were synthesized and used as internal standards in the quantitation assays: [2H6]-2-methyl-1-propene-1-thiol, [2H3]-(E)- and [2H3]-(Z)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, [2H3]-2-methyl-3-furanthiol, [2H2]-3-mercapto-2-pentanone, [2H3]-4-mercapto-3-hexanone, [2H6]-3-mercapto-3-methylbutyl formate, and [2H3]-2-methyl-3-thiophenethiol. On the basis of the results obtained, odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as ratio of the concentration and odor threshold of the individual compounds in cooking oil. According to their high OAVs, particularly the 3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiols (OAV: 2400) and the 2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiols (OAV: 960) were identified as the most odor-active compounds in pan-roasted white sesame seeds. These compounds were therefore suggested to be mainly responsible for the characteristic but rather unstable sulfury aroma of freshly pan-roasted white sesame seeds.

  15. Thiol surface functionalization via continuous phase plasma polymerization of allyl mercaptan, with subsequent maleimide-linked conjugation of collagen.

    PubMed

    Stynes, Gil D; Gengenbach, Thomas R; Kiroff, George K; Morrison, Wayne A; Kirkland, Mark A

    2017-07-01

    Thiol groups can undergo a large variety of chemical reactions and are used in solution phase to conjugate many bioactive molecules. Previous research on solid substrates with continuous phase glow discharge polymerization of thiol-containing monomers may have been compromised by oxidation. Thiol surface functionalization via glow discharge polymerization has been reported as requiring pulsing. Herein, continuous phase glow discharge polymerization of allyl mercaptan (2-propene-1-thiol) was used to generate significant densities of thiol groups on a mixed macrodiol polyurethane and tantalum. Three general classes of chemistry are used to conjugate proteins to thiol groups, with maleimide linkers being used most commonly. Here the pH specificity of maleimide reactions was used effectively to conjugate surface-bound thiol groups to amine groups in collagen. XPS demonstrated surface-bound thiol groups without evidence of oxidation, along with the subsequent presence of maleimide and collagen. Glow discharge reactor parameters were optimized by testing the resistance of bound collagen to degradation by 8 M urea. The nature of the chemical bonding of collagen to surface thiol groups was effectively assessed by colorimetric assay (ELISA) of residual collagen after incubation in 8 M urea over 8 days and after incubation with keratinocytes over 15 days. The facile creation of useable solid-supported thiol groups via continuous phase glow discharge polymerization of allyl mercaptan opens a route for attaching a vast array of bioactive molecules. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1940-1948, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Effects of Gold Salt Speciation and Structure of Human and Bovine Serum Albumin on the Synthesis and Stability of Gold Nanostructures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miranda, Érica; Tofanello, Aryane; Brito, Adrianne; Lopes, David; Giacomelli, Fernando; Albuquerque, Lindomar; Costa, Fanny; Ferreira, Fabio; Araujo-Chaves, Juliana; de Castro, Carlos; Nantes, Iseli

    2016-03-01

    The present study aimed to investigate the influence of albumin structure and gold speciation on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The strategy of synthesis was the addition of HAuCl4 solutions at different pH values (3-12) to solutions of human and bovine serum albumins (HSA and BSA) at the same corresponding pH values. Different pH values influence the GNP synthesis due to gold speciation. Besides the inherent effect of pH on the native structure of albumins, the use N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-treated and heat-denaturated forms of HSA and BSA provided additional insights about the influence of protein structure, net charge, and thiol group approachability on the GNP synthesis. NEM treatment, heating, and the extreme values of pH promoted loss of the native albumin structure. The formation of GNPs indicated by the appearance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands became detectable from fifteen days of the synthesis processes that were carried out with native, NEM-treated and heat-denaturated forms of HSA and BSA, exclusively at pH 6 and 7. After two months of incubation, SPR band was also detected for all synthesis carried out at pH 8.0. The mean values of the hydrodynamic radius (RH) were 24 and 34 nm for GNPs synthesized with native HSA and BSA, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed crystallites of 13 nm. RH, XRD, and zeta potential values were consistent with GNP capping by the albumins. However, the GNPs produced with NEM-treated and heat-denaturated albumins exhibited loss of protein capping by lowering the ionic strength. This result suggests a significant contribution of non-electrostatic interactions of albumins with the GNP surface, in these conditions. The denaturation of proteins exposes hydrophobic groups to the solvent, and these groups could interact with the gold surface. In these conditions, the thiol blockage or oxidation, the latter probably favored upon heating, impaired the formation of a stable capping by thiol coordination with the gold surface. Therefore, the cysteine side chain of albumins is important for the colloidal stabilization of GNPs rather than as the reducing agent for the synthesis. Despite the presence of more reactive gold species at more acidic pH values, i.e., below

  17. Cytosolic increased labile Zn2+ contributes to arrhythmogenic action potentials in left ventricular cardiomyocytes through protein thiol oxidation and cellular ATP depletion.

    PubMed

    Degirmenci, Sinan; Olgar, Yusuf; Durak, Aysegul; Tuncay, Erkan; Turan, Belma

    2018-07-01

    Intracellular labile (free) Zn 2+ -level ([Zn 2+ ] i ) is low and increases markedly under pathophysiological conditions in cardiomyocytes. High [Zn 2+ ] i is associated with alterations in excitability and ionic-conductances while exact mechanisms are not clarified yet. Therefore, we examined the elevated-[Zn 2+ ] i on some sarcolemmal ionic-mechanisms, which can mediate cardiomyocyte dysfunction. High-[Zn 2+ ] i induced significant changes in action potential (AP) parameters, including depolarization in resting membrane-potential and prolongations in AP-repolarizing phases. We detected also the time-dependent effects such as induction of spontaneous APs at the time of ≥ 3 min following [Zn 2+ ] i increases, a manner of cellular ATP dependent and reversible with disulfide-reducing agent dithiothreitol, DTT. High-[Zn 2+ ] i induced inhibitions in voltage-dependent K + -channel currents, such as transient outward K + -currents, I to , steady-state currents, I ss and inward-rectifier K + -currents, I K1 , reversible with DTT seemed to be responsible from the prolongations in APs. We, for the first time, demonstrated that lowering cellular ATP level induced significant decreaeses in both I ss and I K1 , while no effect on I to . However, the increased-[Zn 2+ ] i could induce marked activation in ATP-sensitive K + -channel currents, I KATP , depending on low cellular ATP and thiol-oxidation levels of these channels. The mRNA levels of Kv4.3, Kv1.4 and Kv2.1 were depressed markedly with increased-[Zn 2+ ] i with no change in mRNA level of Kv4.2, while the mRNA level of I KATP subunit, SUR2A was increased significantly with increased-[Zn 2+ ] i , being reversible with DTT. Overall we demonstrated that high-[Zn 2+ ] i, even if nanomolar levels, alters cardiac function via prolonged APs of cardiomyocytes, at most, due to inhibitions in voltage-dependent K + -currents, although activation of I KATP is playing cardioprotective role, through some biochemical changes in cellular ATP- and thiol-oxidation levels. It seems, a well-controlled [Zn 2+ ] i can be novel therapeutic target for cardiac complications under pathological conditions including oxidative stress. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  18. Regulation of the Cardiac Muscle Ryanodine Receptor by O2 Tension and S-Nitrosoglutathione†

    PubMed Central

    Sun, Junhui; Yamaguchi, Naohiro; Xu, Le; Eu, Jerry P.; Stamler, Jonathan S.; Meissner, Gerhard

    2009-01-01

    The cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channels contain thiols that are potential targets of endogenously produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. Previously, we showed that the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) has O2-sensitive thiols; only when these thiols are in the reduced state (pO2 ~ 10 mmHg) can physiological concentrations of NO (nanomolar) activate RyR1. Here, we report that cardiac muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR2) activity also depends on pO2, but unlike RyR1, RyR2 was not activated or S-nitrosylated directly by NO. Rather, activation and S-nitrosylation of RyR2 required S-nitrosoglutathione. The effects of peroxynitrite were indiscriminate on RyR1 and RyR2. Our results indicate that both RyR1 and RyR2 are pO2-responsive yet point to different mechanisms by which NO and S-nitrosoglutathione influence cardiac and skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release. PMID:19053230

  19. Hydrogen bonding as the origin of the switching behavior in dithiolated phenylene-vinylene oligomers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Obodo, J. T.; Gkionis, K.; Rungger, I.; Sanvito, S.; Schwingenschlögl, U.

    2013-08-01

    We investigate theoretically the switching behavior of a dithiolated phenylene-vinylene oligomer sandwiched between Au(111) electrodes using self-interaction corrected density-functional theory combined with the nonequilibrium Green's-function method for quantum transport. The molecule presents a configurational bistability, which can be exploited in constructing molecular memories, switches, and sensors. We find that protonation of the terminating thiol groups is at the origin of the change in conductance. H bonding at the thiol group weakens the S-Au bond and reduces by about one order of magnitude the transmission coefficient at the Fermi level, and thus the linear response conductance. Furthermore, protonation downshifts in energy the position of the highest occupied molecular orbital, so that the current of the protonated species is lower than that of the unprotonated one along the entire bias range investigated, from -1.5 to 1.5 V. A second protonation at the opposite thiol group has only minor effects and no further drastic reduction in transmission takes place. Our results allow us to re-interpret the experimental data originally attributing the conductance reduction to H dissociation.

  20. Effectiveness of Treatment Modalities on Kidney Stone Recurrence.

    PubMed

    Zisman, Anna L

    2017-10-06

    Nephrolithiasis is highly prevalent across all demographic groups in the Western world and beyond, and its incidence rates are rising. In addition to the morbidity of the acute event, stone disease often becomes a lifelong problem that requires preventative therapy to diminish ongoing morbidity. Across the majority of stone types, increased fluid intake and targeted dietary modifications are mainstays of therapy. Specific dietary interventions associated with reduced calcium stone risk include adequate dietary calcium intake and restriction of sodium, protein, and oxalate intake, among others. Pharmaceutical therapy may be required if lifestyle changes are insufficient to minimize risk of stone recurrence, and must be targeted to the specific metabolic abnormalities portending risk for a given patient. Therapeutic options for idiopathic calcium stone disease include thiazides, citrate salts, and uric acid-lowering agents. Alkali salts are also the treatment of choice for uric acid stone disease. Management of struvite stone disease is largely surgical, but acetohydroxamic acid is a proven second line therapy. Cystinuria requires lifestyle modifications and may call for thiol-binding agents. Significant heterogeneity of the clinical population with stone disease has previously limited opportunities for large randomized controlled trials. However, as clinical phenotypes and genotypes are increasingly clarified, there are mounting opportunities for targeted randomized controlled trials in stone prevention. In the meantime, the currently available evidence for both lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions is reviewed herein. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  1. Application of Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization H/D-exchange Mass Spectrometry for Speciation of Sulfur-containing Compounds.

    PubMed

    Acter, Thamina; Kim, Donghwi; Ahmed, Arif; Ha, Ji-Hyoung; Kim, Sunghwan

    2017-08-01

    Herein we report the observation of atmospheric pressure in-source hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) of thiol group for the first time. The HDX for thiol group was optimized for positive atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) mass spectrometry (MS). The optimized HDX-MS was applied for 31 model compounds (thiols, thiophenes, and sulfides) to demonstrate that exchanged peaks were observed only for thiols. The optimized method has been successfully applied to the isolated fractions of sulfur-rich oil samples. The exchange of one and two thiol hydrogens with deuterium was observed in the thiol fraction; no HDX was observed in the other fractions. Thus, the results presented in this study demonstrate that the HDX-MS method using APPI ionization source can be effective for speciation of sulfur compounds. This method has the potential to be used to access corrosion problems caused by thiol-containing compounds. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

  2. Simulation studies on structural and thermal properties of alkane thiol capped gold nanoparticles.

    PubMed

    Devi, J Meena

    2017-06-01

    The structural and thermal properties of the passivated gold nanoparticles were explored employing molecular dynamics simulation for the different surface coverage densities of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of alkane thiol. The structural properties of the monolayer protected gold nanoparticles such us overall shape, organization and conformation of the capping alkane thiol chains were found to be influenced by the capping density. The structural order of the thiol capped gold nanoparticles enhances with the increase in the surface coverage density. The specific heat capacity of the alkane thiol capped gold nanoparticles was found to increase linearly with the thiol coverage density. This may be attributed to the enhancement in the lattice vibrational energy. The present simulation results suggest, that the structural and thermal properties of the alkane thiol capped gold nanoparticles may be modified by the suitable selection of the SAM coverage density. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. The Expanding Landscape of the Thiol Redox Proteome*

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Jing; Carroll, Kate S.; Liebler, Daniel C.

    2016-01-01

    Cysteine occupies a unique place in protein chemistry. The nucleophilic thiol group allows cysteine to undergo a broad range of redox modifications beyond classical thiol-disulfide redox equilibria, including S-sulfenylation (-SOH), S-sulfinylation (-SO2H), S-sulfonylation (-SO3H), S-nitrosylation (-SNO), S-sulfhydration (-SSH), S-glutathionylation (-SSG), and others. Emerging evidence suggests that these post-translational modifications (PTM) are important in cellular redox regulation and protection against oxidative damage. Identification of protein targets of thiol redox modifications is crucial to understanding their roles in biology and disease. However, analysis of these highly labile and dynamic modifications poses challenges. Recent advances in the design of probes for thiol redox forms, together with innovative mass spectrometry based chemoproteomics methods make it possible to perform global, site-specific, and quantitative analyses of thiol redox modifications in complex proteomes. Here, we review chemical proteomic strategies used to expand the landscape of thiol redox modifications. PMID:26518762

  4. A smart multifunctional drug delivery nanoplatform for targeting cancer cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hoop, M.; Mushtaq, F.; Hurter, C.; Chen, X.-Z.; Nelson, B. J.; Pané, S.

    2016-06-01

    Wirelessly guided magnetic nanomachines are promising vectors for targeted drug delivery, which have the potential to minimize the interaction between anticancer agents and healthy tissues. In this work, we propose a smart multifunctional drug delivery nanomachine for targeted drug delivery that incorporates a stimuli-responsive building block. The nanomachine consists of a magnetic nickel (Ni) nanotube that contains a pH-responsive chitosan hydrogel in its inner cavity. The chitosan inside the nanotube serves as a matrix that can selectively release drugs in acidic environments, such as the extracellular space of most tumors. Approximately a 2.5 times higher drug release from Ni nanotubes at pH = 6 is achieved compared to that at pH = 7.4. The outside of the Ni tube is coated with gold. A fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled thiol-ssDNA, a biological marker, was conjugated on its surface by thiol-gold click chemistry, which enables traceability. The Ni nanotube allows the propulsion of the device by means of external magnetic fields. As the proposed nanoarchitecture integrates different functional building blocks, our drug delivery nanoplatform can be employed for carrying molecular drug conjugates and for performing targeted combinatorial therapies, which can provide an alternative and supplementary solution to current drug delivery technologies.Wirelessly guided magnetic nanomachines are promising vectors for targeted drug delivery, which have the potential to minimize the interaction between anticancer agents and healthy tissues. In this work, we propose a smart multifunctional drug delivery nanomachine for targeted drug delivery that incorporates a stimuli-responsive building block. The nanomachine consists of a magnetic nickel (Ni) nanotube that contains a pH-responsive chitosan hydrogel in its inner cavity. The chitosan inside the nanotube serves as a matrix that can selectively release drugs in acidic environments, such as the extracellular space of most tumors. Approximately a 2.5 times higher drug release from Ni nanotubes at pH = 6 is achieved compared to that at pH = 7.4. The outside of the Ni tube is coated with gold. A fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled thiol-ssDNA, a biological marker, was conjugated on its surface by thiol-gold click chemistry, which enables traceability. The Ni nanotube allows the propulsion of the device by means of external magnetic fields. As the proposed nanoarchitecture integrates different functional building blocks, our drug delivery nanoplatform can be employed for carrying molecular drug conjugates and for performing targeted combinatorial therapies, which can provide an alternative and supplementary solution to current drug delivery technologies. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1 drug release control experiment; Fig. S2 cell viability assay; video - magnetic manipulation. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02228f

  5. Determination of acidity and nucleophilicity in thiols by reaction with monobromobimane and fluorescence detection.

    PubMed

    Sardi, Florencia; Manta, Bruno; Portillo-Ledesma, Stephanie; Knoops, Bernard; Comini, Marcelo A; Ferrer-Sueta, Gerardo

    2013-04-01

    A method based on the differential reactivity of thiol and thiolate with monobromobimane (mBBr) has been developed to measure nucleophilicity and acidity of protein and low-molecular-weight thiols. Nucleophilicity of the thiolate is measured as the pH-independent second-order rate constant of its reaction with mBBr. The ionization constants of the thiols are obtained through the pH dependence of either second-order rate constant or initial rate of reaction. For readily available thiols, the apparent second-order rate constant is measured at different pHs and then plotted and fitted to an appropriate pH function describing the observed number of ionization equilibria. For less available thiols, such as protein thiols, the initial rate of reaction is determined in a wide range of pHs and fitted to the appropriate pH function. The method presented here shows excellent sensitivity, allowing the use of nanomolar concentrations of reagents. The method is suitable for scaling and high-throughput screening. Example determinations of nucleophilicity and pK(a) are presented for captopril and cysteine as low-molecular-weight thiols and for human peroxiredoxin 5 and Trypanosoma brucei monothiol glutaredoxin 1 as protein thiols. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Silymarin Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Enhances Antioxidant Defense System Capacity in Cadmium-Treated Mice.

    PubMed

    Farjad, Elham; Momeni, Hamid Reza

    2018-10-01

    Cadmium is an environmental pollutant which induces oxidative stress while silymarin as an antioxidant is able to scavenge free radicals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of silymarin on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defense system capacity in mice treated with cadmium chloride. In this experimental study, adult mice were divided into four groups as follow: i. Control, ii. Cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg b.w., s.c.), iii. Silymarin+cadmium chloride, and iv. Silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). Mice were treated with cadmium chloride for 24 hours and silymarin was administered 24 hours before the cadmium. Blood samples were then collected from the experimental groups and their sera were prepared. To investigate oxidative stress markers in the serum, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiol groups (-SH) were evaluated. To measure the total antioxidant power in the serum, Ferric Reducing/ Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method was used. In addition, the activity of enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was assessed to evaluate serum antioxidant defense power. In the cadmium-treated group, the amount of MDA significantly increased as compared to the control group. In silymarin+cadmium group, silymarin significantly ameliorated the level of MDA compared to the cadmium group. In addition, cadmium significantly reduced serum FRAP, the activity of antioxidant defense system enzymes and thiol groups compared to the control. In silymarin+cadmium group, silymarin could significantly reverse the reduction of these markers compared to the cadmium group. Administration of silymarin alone caused a significant increase in serum FRAP, the activity of antioxidant defense system enzymes and thiol groups compared to the control group. Silymarin as a powerful antioxidant reverses the toxic effect of cadmium on the serum levels of lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant power, antioxidant defense system enzymes activity and thiol groups. Copyright© by Royan Institute. All rights reserved.

  7. The nitrative and oxidative stress in blood platelets isolated from breast cancer patients: the protectory action of aronia melanocarpa extract.

    PubMed

    Kedzierska, Magdalena; Olas, Beata; Wachowicz, Barbara; Stochmal, Anna; Oleszek, Wieslaw; Jeziorski, Arkadiusz; Piekarski, Janusz

    2010-01-01

    Since mechanisms involved in the relationship between oxidative stress and breast cancer are still unclear, the aim of our present study was to evaluate oxidative/nitrative modifications of blood platelet proteins by measuring the level of biomarkers of oxidative/nitrative stress such as carbonyl groups, thiol groups and 3-nitrotyrosine in proteins in patients with benign breast diseases and in patients with invasive breast cancer, and compare with the control group. Levels of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine residues in platelet proteins were measured by ELISA and a competition ELISA, respectively. The method with 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitro-benzoic acid) has been used to analyse free thiol groups in platelet proteins. Patients were hospitalized in the Department of Oncological Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Exogenous antioxidants reduce oxidative stress, therefore we also investigated in a model system in vitro the effects of a polyphenol rich extract of Aronia melanocarpa (Rosaceae, final concentration of 50 µg/ml, 5 min, 37°C) on modified blood platelet proteins as well from patients with breast cancer and from the healthy group. We demonstrated in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer a higher level of carbonyl groups than in the control healthy group (p < 0.02). The level of 3-nitrotyrosine in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer was also significantly higher than in the healthy subject group (p < 0.001). In contrast, the amount of thiol groups in platelet proteins from patients was significantly lower (about < 50%) than in control blood platelets. In a model system in vitro we also observed that the extract from berries of A. melanocarpa (50 µg/ml, 5 min, 37°C) due to antioxidant action, significantly reduced the oxidative/nitrative stress (measured by thiol groups and 3-nitrotyrosine) in platelets, not only from the healthy group, but also from patients with benign breast diseases and in patients with invasive breast cancer.

  8. Low-molecular-weight thiols in streptomycetes and their potential role as antioxidants.

    PubMed Central

    Newton, G L; Fahey, R C; Cohen, G; Aharonowitz, Y

    1993-01-01

    The intracellular low-molecular-weight thiols present in five gram-positive Streptomyces species and one Flavobacterium species were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography after fluorescence labeling with monobromobimane. Bacteria were chosen to include penicillin and cephalosporin beta-lactam producers and nonproducers. No significant amount of glutathione was found in any of the streptomycetes. Major intracellular thiols in all strains examined were cysteine, coenzyme A, sulfide, thiosulfate, and an unknown thiol designated U17. Those streptomycetes that make beta-lactam antibiotics also produce significant amounts of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV), a key intermediate in their biosynthesis. In Streptomyces clavuligerus, a potent producer of beta-lactams, the level of ACV was low during the early phase of growth and increased rapidly toward the end of exponential growth, paralleling that of antibiotic production. These and other observations indicate that ACV does not function as a protective thiol in streptomycetes. U17 may have this role since it was the major thiol in all streptomycetes and appeared to occur at levels about 10-fold higher than those of the other thiols measured, including ACV. Purification and amino acid analysis of U17 indicated that it contains cysteine and an unusual amine that is not one of the common amino acids. This thiol is identical to an unknown thiol found previously in Micrococcus roseus and Streptomyces griseus. A high level of ergothioneine was found in Streptomyces lactamdurans, and several unidentified thiols were detected in this and other streptomycetes. PMID:8478335

  9. Submicrodeterminations of thiols, disulphides and thiol esters in serum by using o-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid and dithiofluorescein

    PubMed Central

    Wroński, Mieczysław

    1967-01-01

    1. Methods are described for selective estimation of thiols, disulphides and thiol esters in standard solutions and in serum. The methods are based on the reaction with the excess of o-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (HMB) in alkaline solution with subsequent addition of dithiofluorescein in excess and determination of the extinction at 588mμ. The sensitivity of the methods amounts to 1·5×10−9g.equiv. in 5ml. of final solution. Of results obtained on standard solutions 80% have the errors within the range ±4%. 2. It has been found that serum contains an unidentified substance (substance X) producing green complexes with dithiofluorescein which undergo decomposition on addition of formaldehyde. The correction for substance X must be estimated in a separate sample and taken into account. The concentration of substance X can be calculated from extinctions measured at 588mμ and 635mμ in the presence of dithiofluorescein in excess. 3. The selective determination of thiols and disulphides is based on different reaction rates with formaldehyde. The complexes between HMB and cysteine can be selectively decomposed by formaldehyde, and free glutathione can be selectively removed by formaldehyde in the presence of protein thiols. 4. Thiols are determined in the presence of triethylamine, thiols plus disulphides in the presence of triethylamine and sulphite, and thiols plus thiol esters in the presence of dimethylamine, with subsequent addition of ammonium sulphate. PMID:6049936

  10. Effects of Gold Salt Speciation and Structure of Human and Bovine Serum Albumins on the Synthesis and Stability of Gold Nanostructures

    PubMed Central

    Miranda, Érica G. A.; Tofanello, Aryane; Brito, Adrianne M. M.; Lopes, David M.; Albuquerque, Lindomar J. C.; de Castro, Carlos E.; Costa, Fanny N.; Giacomelli, Fernando C.; Ferreira, Fabio F.; Araújo-Chaves, Juliana C.; Nantes, Iseli L.

    2016-01-01

    The present study aimed to investigate the influence of albumin structure and gold speciation on the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The strategy of synthesis was the addition of HAuCl4 solutions at different pH values (3–12) to solutions of human and bovine serum albumins (HSA and BSA) at the same corresponding pH values. Different pH values influence the GNP synthesis due to gold speciation. Besides the inherent effect of pH on the native structure of albumins, the use N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-treated and heat-denaturated forms of HSA and BSA provided additional insights about the influence of protein structure, net charge, and thiol group approachability on the GNP synthesis. NEM treatment, heating, and the extreme values of pH promoted loss of the native albumin structure. The formation of GNPs indicated by the appearance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands became detectable from 15 days of the synthesis processes that were carried out with native, NEM-treated and heat-denaturated forms of HSA and BSA, exclusively at pH 6 and 7. After 2 months of incubation, SPR band was also detected for all synthesis carried out at pH 8.0. The mean values of the hydrodynamic radius (RH) were 24 and 34 nm for GNPs synthesized with native HSA and BSA, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed crystallites of 13 nm. RH, XRD, and zeta potential values were consistent with GNP capping by the albumins. However, the GNPs produced with NEM-treated and heat-denaturated albumins exhibited loss of protein capping by lowering the ionic strength. This result suggests a significant contribution of non-electrostatic interactions of albumins with the GNP surface, in these conditions. The denaturation of proteins exposes hydrophobic groups to the solvent, and these groups could interact with the gold surface. In these conditions, the thiol blockage or oxidation, the latter probably favored upon heating, impaired the formation of a stable capping by thiol coordination with the gold surface. Therefore, the cysteine side chain of albumins is important for the colloidal stabilization of GNPs rather than as the reducing agent for the synthesis. Despite the presence of more reactive gold species at more acidic pH values, i.e., below 6.0, in these conditions the loss of native albumin structure impaired GNP synthesis. Alkaline pH values (9–12) combined the unfavorable conditions of denaturated protein structure with less reactive gold species. Therefore, an optimal condition for the synthesis of GNPs using serum albumins involves more reactive gold salt species combined with a reducing and negatively charged form of the protein, all favored at pH 6–7. PMID:27066476

  11. High throughput assay for evaluation of reactive carbonyl scavenging capacity.

    PubMed

    Vidal, N; Cavaille, J P; Graziani, F; Robin, M; Ouari, O; Pietri, S; Stocker, P

    2014-01-01

    Many carbonyl species from either lipid peroxidation or glycoxidation are extremely reactive and can disrupt the function of proteins and enzymes. 4-hydroxynonenal and methylglyoxal are the most abundant and toxic lipid-derived reactive carbonyl species. The presence of these toxics leads to carbonyl stress and cause a significant amount of macromolecular damages in several diseases. Much evidence indicates trapping of reactive carbonyl intermediates may be a useful strategy for inhibiting or decreasing carbonyl stress-associated pathologies. There is no rapid and convenient analytical method available for the assessment of direct carbonyl scavenging capacity, and a very limited number of carbonyl scavengers have been identified to date, their therapeutic potential being highlighted only recently. In this context, we have developed a new and rapid sensitive fluorimetric method for the assessment of reactive carbonyl scavengers without involvement glycoxidation systems. Efficacy of various thiol- and non-thiol-carbonyl scavenger pharmacophores was tested both using this screening assay adapted to 96-well microplates and in cultured cells. The scavenging effects on the formation of Advanced Glycation End-product of Bovine Serum Albumin formed with methylglyoxal, 4-hydroxynonenal and glucose-glycated as molecular models were also examined. Low molecular mass thiols with an α-amino-β-mercaptoethane structure showed the highest degree of inhibitory activity toward both α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and dicarbonyls. Cysteine and cysteamine have the best scavenging ability toward methylglyoxal. WR-1065 which is currently approved for clinical use as a protective agent against radiation and renal toxicity was identified as the best inhibitor of 4-hydroxynonenal.

  12. Copper sulfide nanodisk as photoacoustic contrast agent for ovarian tumor detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Junxin; Hsu, Su-Wen; Tao, Andrea R.; Jokerst, Jesse V.

    2017-03-01

    Ultrasound is broadly used in the clinics yet is limited in early cancer detection because of its poor contrast between healthy and diseased tissues. Photoacoustic imaging can improve this limitation and has been extensively studied in pre-clinical models. Contrast agents can help improve the accuracy of diagnosis. We recently reported a novel copper sulfide (CuS) nanodisk with strong directionally-localized surface plasmon resonance in the near infrared region. This plasmonic resonance of nanodisks is tunable by changing the size and aspect ratio of CuS nanodisk. Here, we demonstrate this CuS nanodisk is a strong photoacoustic contrast agent. We prepared CuS nanodisks via a solvent-based synthesis followed by surface modification of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether thiol for in vivo applications. These CuS nanodisks can be detected at a concentration as low as 26 pM at 920 nm. Their nanosize and strong photoacoustic response make this novel CuS nanodisk a strong candidate for photoacoustic cancer imaging.

  13. Visible light-initiated interfacial thiol-norbornene photopolymerization for forming islet surface conformal coating

    PubMed Central

    Shih, Han; Mirmira, Raghavendra G.; Lin, Chien-Chi

    2015-01-01

    A cytocompatible visible light-mediated interfacial thiol-norbornene photopolymerization scheme was developed for creating hydrogel conformal coating on pancreatic islets. The step-growth thiol-norbornene reaction affords high consistency and tunability in gel coating thickness. Furthermore, isolated islets coated with thiol-norbornene gel maintained their viability and function in vitro. PMID:26509035

  14. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in asphalt workers.

    PubMed

    Yilmaz, Ömer Hınç; Bal, Ceylan; Neşelioglu, Salim; Büyükşekerci, Murat; Gündüzöz, Meşide; Eren, Funda; Tutkun, Lutfiye; Yilmaz, Fatma Meric

    2016-09-02

    The aim of this study was to investigate thiol/disulfide homeostasis in asphalt workers who are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons occupationally. The study was carried out in 34 nonsmoker asphalt workers. Additionally, 35 healthy nonsmoker volunteers were recruited as control group. Thiol and disulfide concentrations were determined using the novel automated measurement method. Levels of urinary 1-OH-pyrene were analyzed by liquid chromatography. Disulfide/thiol ratio was significantly higher in exposed group (p = .034). Also, a positive correlation was detected between disulfide/thiol ratio and 1-OH-pyrene values (r = .249, p = .036). Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was found to be disturbed in asphalt workers. The novel test used in this study may be useful for evaluating the oxidative status in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure.

  15. Investigation of eggshell thickness and biochemical indicators of contaminant exposure in Great Blue Herons(Ardea herodias) from Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Johnson, K.N.; Pinkney, A.E.; Melancon, M.J.; Hoffman, D.J.

    2001-01-01

    Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge supports the largest great blue heron (Ardea herodias) rookery in the State of Virginia. The presence of bioaccumulative compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT in fish collected from the Potomac River and tidal tributaries along the Refuge led to this study. The objective was to determine if there were any indications of pollutant-induced eggshell thinning or evidence of biochemical exposure to contaminants. We examined eggshell thickness and biomarkers of contaminant exposure in livers of embryos collected from the refuge and Coaches Island, a reference location in Chesapeake Bay. There was no evidence of eggshell thinning. Cytochrome P450 activity, measured as ethoxyresomfin-O-dealkylase (EROD) and benzyloxy-resorufin-O-dealkylase (BROD), was not significantly different in embryos from the two colonies. Biochemical indicators of oxidative stress can be reflected as changes in levels of reduced thiols, oxidized glutathione, and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS). Although there were significant differences in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total thiol (TSH) activities in the embryo livers, there were no statistically significant differences in TBARS, protein-bound sulfhydryls (PBSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the ratio of GSSG to GSH. In fact, the concentrations of GSH and TSH were higher in the Mason Neck birds relative to Coaches Island. Under conditions of increased oxidative stress at least one or more of the following would be expected: decreased concentrations of reduced thiols (GSH and TSH), increased GSSG, and increased TBARS. In conclusion, we did not detect eggshell thinning or find evidence of a biochemical response to contaminant exposure in the Mason Neck great blue herons.

  16. Inhibitory effects of ethyl acetate extract of Teucrium polium on in vitro protein glycoxidation.

    PubMed

    Ardestani, Amin; Yazdanparast, Razieh

    2007-12-01

    Regarding the involvement of free radicals and oxidative reactions in protein glycoxidation processes, compounds with antioxidant activities have been tested in order to reduce or to stop glycoxidation. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant potential of several organic fractions of Teucrium polium extract using different model systems including total antioxidant capacity by the phosphomolybdenum method, ferric reducing antioxidant power and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays, antioxidant activity in linoleic acid emulsion system and scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. The results indicated that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of T. polium possesses the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Given the link between glycation and oxidation, we proposed that the EtOAc fraction might possess significant in vitro antiglycation activities as well. Our data confirmed the inhibitory effect of EtOAc fraction on bovine serum albumin (BSA) glycoxidation measured in terms of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and pentosidine formation as well as protein oxidation markers including protein carbonyl formation (PCO) and loss of protein thiols. Reducing sugars such as ribose and glucose increase fluorescence intensity of glycated BSA in terms of total AGEs and pentosidine during 21 day of exposure. Moreover, sugars cause more PCO formation and also oxidize thiol groups more in glycated than in native BSA. EtOAc extract at different concentrations (10-100 microg/ml) has significantly quenched the fluorescence intensity of glycated BSA. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of EtOAc extract in preventing oxidative protein damages including effect on PCO formation and thiol oxidation which are believe to form under the glycoxidation process. These results clearly demonstrate that, the EtOAc fraction, owning to its antioxidant content, is capable of suppressing the formation of AGEs and protein oxidation in vitro.

  17. Efficient Site-Specific Labeling of Proteins via Cysteines

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Younggyu; Ho, Sam O.; Gassman, Natalie R.; Korlann, You; Landorf, Elizabeth V.; Collart, Frank R.; Weiss, Shimon

    2011-01-01

    Methods for chemical modifications of proteins have been crucial for the advancement of proteomics. In particular, site-specific covalent labeling of proteins with fluorophores and other moieties has permitted the development of a multitude of assays for proteome analysis. A common approach for such a modification is solvent-accessible cysteine labeling using thiol-reactive dyes. Cysteine is very attractive for site-specific conjugation due to its relative rarity throughout the proteome and the ease of its introduction into a specific site along the protein's amino acid chain. This is achieved by site-directed mutagenesis, most often without perturbing the protein's function. Bottlenecks in this reaction, however, include the maintenance of reactive thiol groups without oxidation before the reaction, and the effective removal of unreacted molecules prior to fluorescence studies. Here, we describe an efficient, specific, and rapid procedure for cysteine labeling starting from well-reduced proteins in the solid state. The efficacy and specificity of the improved procedure are estimated using a variety of single-cysteine proteins and thiol-reactive dyes. Based on UV/vis absorbance spectra, coupling efficiencies are typically in the range 70–90%, and specificities are better than ~95%. The labeled proteins are evaluated using fluorescence assays, proving that the covalent modification does not alter their function. In addition to maleimide-based conjugation, this improved procedure may be used for other thiol-reactive conjugations such as haloacetyl, alkyl halide, and disulfide interchange derivatives. This facile and rapid procedure is well suited for high throughput proteome analysis. PMID:18275130

  18. Efficient site-specific labeling of proteins via cysteines.

    PubMed

    Kim, Younggyu; Ho, Sam O; Gassman, Natalie R; Korlann, You; Landorf, Elizabeth V; Collart, Frank R; Weiss, Shimon

    2008-03-01

    Methods for chemical modifications of proteins have been crucial for the advancement of proteomics. In particular, site-specific covalent labeling of proteins with fluorophores and other moieties has permitted the development of a multitude of assays for proteome analysis. A common approach for such a modification is solvent-accessible cysteine labeling using thiol-reactive dyes. Cysteine is very attractive for site-specific conjugation due to its relative rarity throughout the proteome and the ease of its introduction into a specific site along the protein's amino acid chain. This is achieved by site-directed mutagenesis, most often without perturbing the protein's function. Bottlenecks in this reaction, however, include the maintenance of reactive thiol groups without oxidation before the reaction, and the effective removal of unreacted molecules prior to fluorescence studies. Here, we describe an efficient, specific, and rapid procedure for cysteine labeling starting from well-reduced proteins in the solid state. The efficacy and specificity of the improved procedure are estimated using a variety of single-cysteine proteins and thiol-reactive dyes. Based on UV/vis absorbance spectra, coupling efficiencies are typically in the range 70-90%, and specificities are better than approximately 95%. The labeled proteins are evaluated using fluorescence assays, proving that the covalent modification does not alter their function. In addition to maleimide-based conjugation, this improved procedure may be used for other thiol-reactive conjugations such as haloacetyl, alkyl halide, and disulfide interchange derivatives. This facile and rapid procedure is well suited for high throughput proteome analysis.

  19. Hypoxia limits antioxidant capacity in red blood cells by altering glycolytic pathway dominance

    PubMed Central

    Rogers, Stephen C.; Said, Ahmed; Corcuera, Daniella; McLaughlin, Dylan; Kell, Pamela; Doctor, Allan

    2009-01-01

    The erythrocyte membrane is a newly appreciated platform for thiol-based circulatory signaling, and it requires robust free thiol maintenance. We sought to define physiological constraints on erythrocyte antioxidant defense. Hemoglobin (Hb) conformation gates glycolytic flux through the hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP), the sole source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in erythrocytes. We hypothesized elevated intraerythrocytic deoxyHb would limit resilience to oxidative stress. Human erythrocytes were subjected to controlled oxidant (superoxide) loading following independent manipulation of oxygen tension, Hb conformation, and glycolytic pathway dominance. Sufficiency of antioxidant defense was determined by serial quantification of GSH, NADPH, NADH redox couples. Hypoxic erythrocytes demonstrated greater loss of reduction potential [Δ GSH Ehc (mV): 123.4±9.7 vs. 57.2±11.1] and reduced membrane thiol (47.7±5.7 vs. 20.1±4.3%) (hypoxia vs. normoxia, respectively; P<0.01), a finding mimicked in normoxic erythrocytes after HMP blockade. Rebalancing HMP flux during hypoxia restored resilience to oxidative stress at all stages of the system. Cell-free studies assured oxidative loading was not altered by oxygen tension, heme ligation, or the inhibitors employed. These data indicate that Hb conformation controls coupled glucose and thiol metabolism in erythrocytes, and implicate hypoxemia in the pathobiology of erythrocyte-based vascular signaling.—Rogers, S. C., Said, A., Corcuera, D., McLaughlin, D., Kell, P., Doctor, A. Hypoxia limits antioxidant capacity in red blood cells by altering glycolytic pathway dominance. PMID:19417084

  20. A chiral self-assembled monolayer derived from a resolving agent and its performance as a crystallization template for an organic compound from organic solvents.

    PubMed

    Bejarano-Villafuerte, Ángela; van der Meijden, Maarten W; Lingenfelder, Magalí; Wurst, Klaus; Kellogg, Richard M; Amabilino, David B

    2012-12-07

    A new chiral nonracemic thiol derived from a popular acidic resolving agent that incorporates a cyclic disubstituted phosphate group (phencyphos) has been prepared in enantiomerically pure form. The stereochemistry and absolute configuration were established by performing a single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of a synthetic intermediate. The thiol compound was used for the preparation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on both monocrystalline and polycrystalline metallic gold, which have very different surface roughness. The monolayers were used to promote the nucleation and growth of crystals from nonaqueous solutions of an organic molecule (the parent phencyphos) of similar structure to the compound present in the monolayer. The template layers influence the nucleation and growth of the phencyphos crystals despite the lack of two-dimensional order in the surfaces. Heterogeneous nucleation of phencyphos takes place upon evaporation of either CHCl(3) or isopropanol solutions of the compound on the SAM surfaces, where the evaporation rate merely influences the size and homogeneity of the crystals. The roughness of the surface also plays an important role; the polycrystalline gold produces more homogeneous samples because of the greater number of nucleation sites. Clear evidence for nucleation and growth on the surfaces is shown by scanning electron microscopy. The variation in crystal form achieved by using different surfaces and solvents suggests that the layers are applicable for the preparation of organic crystals from organic solutions. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  1. Dietary Intake of Proteins and Calories Is Inversely Associated With The Oxidation State of Plasma Thiols in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

    PubMed

    Fanti, Paolo; Giustarini, Daniela; Rossi, Ranieri; Cunningham, Sue E D; Folli, Franco; Khazim, Khaled; Cornell, John; Matteucci, Elena; Bansal, Shweta

    2015-11-01

    Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of protein-energy wasting in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, but knowledge of specific effectors and mechanisms remains fragmented. Aim of the study was to define whether and how food intake is involved in the causal relationship between oxidative stress and protein-energy wasting. Seventy-one adult MHD patients and 24 healthy subjects (control) were studied cross-sectionally with analyses of diet record and of oxidative stress, as measured by a battery of plasma thiols including the protein sulfhydryl (-SH) group (PSH) levels (a marker of total protein-SH reducing capacity), the protein thiolation index (PTI, the ratio between disulfide, i.e., oxidized and reduced -SH groups in proteins), low molecular mass (LMM) thiols, LMM disulfides, and mixed LMM-protein disulfides. In addition, interleukin-6 (IL-6), albumin, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were measured as markers of inflammation. The patients showed low energy (22.0 ± 8.4 kcal/kg/day) and adequate protein (1.0 ± 0.4 g/kg/day) intakes, high levels of cystine (CySS; patients vs. 113.5 [90.9-132.8] vs. 68.2 [56.2-75.7] μM), cysteinylated proteins (CySSP; 216.0 [182.8-254.0] vs. 163.5 [150.0-195.5] μM), and high PTI (0.76 [0.61-0.88] vs. 0.43 [0.40-0.54]; P < .001 in all comparisons). In patients, variation of CySSP was explained by a standard regression model (R = 0.775; P = .00001) that included significant contributions of protein intake (β = -0.361), NGAL (β = 0.387), age (β = 0.295), and albumin (β = 0.457). In the same model, variation of PTI (R = 0.624; P = .01) was explained by protein intake (β = -0.384) and age (β = 0.326) and NGAL (β = 0.311). However, when PSH was entered as dependent variable (R = 0.730; P = .0001), only serum albumin (β = 0.495) and age (β = -0.280), but not dietary intake or NGAL, contributed to the model. In MHD, markers of thiol oxidation including CySSP and PTI show independent association with dietary intake and NGAL, whereas PSH, a marker of thiol-reducing capacity, did not associate with these same variables. The mechanism(s) responsible for inverse association between oxidative stress and food intake in MHD remain undefined. Copyright © 2015 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. An evaluation of thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with psoriasis

    PubMed Central

    Yorulmaz, Ahu; Erdogan, Serpil; Cakmak, Seray Kulcu; Guney, Elif; Sen, Orhan; Erel, Ozcan

    2017-01-01

    Introduction The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has been investigated in previous studies with conflicting results. On the other hand, well-established treatments currently used in psoriasis exert their effects via a boost of oxidative stress. Recently, a strong positive association between psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia has also been described showing the complex nature of the disease. Aim To examine thiol/disulphide homeostasis, a newly developed homeostasis assay in psoriasis and evaluate the possible association between thiol/disulphide homeostasis and dyslipidemia in psoriasis. Material and methods The study population included 92 psoriasis patients and 71 healthy subjects. Serum native thiol, total thiol and disulphide levels were investigated in patients with psoriasis and in healthy subjects. In addition, lipid profile (serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels were investigated in both groups. The association between thiol-disulphide parameters and dyslipidemia was also evaluated. Results Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found to be higher in patients with psoriasis than in the healthy group. Lower plasma disulphide and higher native thiol levels were found in patients with psoriasis indicating an antioxidant status. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the shift of dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis towards the thiol form in psoriasis which indicate higher antioxidant status. PMID:29507562

  3. In vitro protection of human lymphocytes from toxic effects of chlorpyrifos by selenium-enriched medicines

    PubMed Central

    Navaei-Nigjeh, Mona; Asadi, Hamidreza; Baeeri, Maryam; Pedram, Sahar; Rezvanfar, Mohammad Amin; Mohammadirad, Azadeh; Abdollahi, Mohammad

    2015-01-01

    Objective(s): Chlorpyrifos (CP) is a broad-spectrum organophosphorus pesticide used extensively in agricultural and domestic pest control, accounting for 50% of the global insecticidal use. In the present study, protective effects of two selenium-enriched strong antioxidative medicines IMOD and Angipars were examined in human lymphocytes treated with CP in vitro. Materials and Methods: Isolated lymphocytes were exposed to 12 µg/ml CP either alone or in combination with effective doses (ED50) of IMOD (0.2 µg/ml) and Angipars (1 µg/ml). After 3 days incubation, the viability and oxidative stress markers including cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total thiol molecules (TTM), and total antioxidant power (TAP) were evaluated. Also, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as inflammatory index along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and cell apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Results indicated that effective doses of IMOD and Angipars reduced CP-exposed lymphocyte mortality rate along with oxidative stress. Both agents restored CP-induced elevation of TNF-α and protected the lymphocytes from CP-induced apoptosis and necrosis. Conclusion: Overall, results confirm that IMOD and Angipars reduce the toxic effects associated with CP through free radical scavenging and protection from apoptosis and necrosis. PMID:25945242

  4. Analysis of Reaction between α-Lipoic Acid and 2-Chloro-1-methylquinolinium Tetrafluoroborate Used as a Precolumn Derivatization Technique in Chromatographic Determination of α-Lipoic Acid.

    PubMed

    Godlewska, Magdalena; Odachowska, Angelika; Turkowicz, Monika; Karpinska, Joanna

    2015-01-01

    The present study offers results of analysis concerning the course of reaction between reduced α-lipoic acid (LA) and 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate (CMQT). In water environments, the reaction between CMQT and hydrophilic thiols proceeds very rapidly and the resultant products are stable. For the described analysis, optimum reaction conditions, such as concentration of the reducing agent, environment pH, and concentration of the reagent were carefully selected. The spectrophotometric assay was carried out measuring absorbance at λ = 348 nm (i.e., the spectral band of the obtained reaction product). Furthermore, the calibration curve of lipoic acid was registered. It was concluded that the Lambert-Beer law was observed within the range 1-10 μmol L(-1). Later, the reaction between LA and CMQT was used as precolumn derivatization in a chromatographic determination of the lipoic acid in the range 2.5-50 μmol L(-1). Practical applicability of the designed methods was evaluated by determining lipoic acid in Revitanerv pharmaceutical preparation which contains 300 mg LA in a single capsule. The error of the determination did not exceed 0.5% in relation to the declared value.

  5. Analysis of Reaction between α-Lipoic Acid and 2-Chloro-1-methylquinolinium Tetrafluoroborate Used as a Precolumn Derivatization Technique in Chromatographic Determination of α-Lipoic Acid

    PubMed Central

    Godlewska, Magdalena; Odachowska, Angelika; Turkowicz, Monika; Karpinska, Joanna

    2015-01-01

    The present study offers results of analysis concerning the course of reaction between reduced α-lipoic acid (LA) and 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate (CMQT). In water environments, the reaction between CMQT and hydrophilic thiols proceeds very rapidly and the resultant products are stable. For the described analysis, optimum reaction conditions, such as concentration of the reducing agent, environment pH, and concentration of the reagent were carefully selected. The spectrophotometric assay was carried out measuring absorbance at λ = 348 nm (i.e., the spectral band of the obtained reaction product). Furthermore, the calibration curve of lipoic acid was registered. It was concluded that the Lambert-Beer law was observed within the range 1–10 μmol L−1. Later, the reaction between LA and CMQT was used as precolumn derivatization in a chromatographic determination of the lipoic acid in the range 2.5–50 μmol L−1. Practical applicability of the designed methods was evaluated by determining lipoic acid in Revitanerv pharmaceutical preparation which contains 300 mg LA in a single capsule. The error of the determination did not exceed 0.5% in relation to the declared value. PMID:26504616

  6. Surface modification of a biodegradable magnesium alloy with phosphorylcholine (PC) and sulfobetaine (SB) functional macromolecules for reduced thrombogenicity and acute corrosion resistance

    PubMed Central

    Ye, Sang-Ho; Jang, Yong-Seok; Yun, Yeo-Heung; Shankarraman, Venkat; Woolley, Joshua R.; Hong, Yi; Gamble, Lara J.; Ishihara, Kazuhiko; Wagner, William R.

    2013-01-01

    Siloxane functionalized phosphorylcholine (PC) or sulfobetaine (SB) macromolecules (PCSSi or SBSSi) were synthesized to act as surface modifying agents for degradable metallic surfaces to improve acute blood compatibility and slow initial corrosion rates. The macromolecules were synthesized using a thiol-ene radical photopolymerization technique and then utilized to modify magnesium (Mg) alloy (AZ31) surfaces via an anhydrous phase deposition of the silane functional groups. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface analysis results indicated successful surface modification based on increased nitrogen and phosphorus or sulfur composition on the modified surfaces relative to unmodified AZ31. In vitro acute thrombogenicity assessment after ovine blood contact with the PCSSi and SBSSi modified surfaces showed a significant decrease in platelet deposition and bulk phase platelet activation compared with the control alloy surfaces. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data obtained from electrochemical corrosion testing demonstrated increased corrosion resistance for PCSSi and SBSSi modified AZ31 versus unmodified surfaces. The developed coating technique using PCSSi or SBSSi showed promise in acutely reducing both the corrosion and thrombotic processes, which would be attractive for application to blood contacting devices, such as vascular stents, made from degradable Mg alloys. PMID:23705967

  7. Browning inhibition mechanisms by cysteine, ascorbic acid and citric acid, and identifying PPO-catechol-cysteine reaction products.

    PubMed

    Ali, Hussein M; El-Gizawy, Ahmed M; El-Bassiouny, Rawia E I; Saleh, Mahmoud A

    2015-06-01

    The titled compounds were examined as PPO inhibitors and antibrowning agents; their various mechanisms were investigated and discussed. All compounds reduced significantly both the browning process and PPO activity. Browning index gave strong correlation with PPO activity (r(2) = 0.96, n = 19) indicating that the browning process is mainly enzymatic. Ascorbic acid could reduce the formed quinone instantly to the original substrate (catechol) at high concentration (>1.5 %) while at lower concentrations acted as competitive inhibitor (KI = 0.256 ± 0.067 mM). Cysteine, at higher concentrations (≥1.0 %), reacted with the resulted quinone to give a colorless products while at the low concentrations, cysteine worked as competitive inhibitor (KI = 1.113 ± 0.176 mM). Citric acid acted only as PPO non-competitive inhibitor with KI = 2.074 ± 0.363 mM. The products of PPO-catechole-cysteine reaction could be separation and identification by LC-ESI-MS. Results indicated that the product of the enzymatic oxidation of catechol, quinone, undergoes two successive nucleophilic attacks by cysteine thiol group. Cysteine was condensed with the resulted mono and dithiocatechols to form peptide side chains.

  8. Intercalation of gaseous thiols and sulfides into Ag+ ion-exchanged aluminum dihydrogen triphosphate.

    PubMed

    Hayashi, Aki; Saimen, Hiroki; Watanabe, Nobuaki; Kimura, Hitomi; Kobayashi, Ayumi; Nakayama, Hirokazu; Tsuhako, Mitsutomo

    2005-08-02

    Ag(+) ion-exchanged layered aluminum dihydrogen triphosphate (AlP) with the interlayer distance of 0.85 nm was synthesized by the ion-exchange of proton in triphosphate with Ag(+) ion. The amount of exchanged Ag(+) ion depended on the concentration of AgNO(3) aqueous solution. Ag(+) ion-exchanged AlP adsorbed gaseous thiols and sulfides into the interlayer region. The adsorption amounts of thiols were more than those of sulfides, thiols with one mercapto group > thiol with two mercapto groups > sulfides, and depended on the amount of exchanged Ag(+) ion in the interlayer region. The thiols with one mercapto group were intercalated to expand the interlayer distance of Ag(+) ion-exchanged AlP, whereas there was no expansion in the adsorption of sulfide. In the case of thiol with two mercapto groups, there was observed contraction of the interlayer distance through the bridging with Ag(+) ions of the upper and lower sides of the interlayer region.

  9. Surface thiolation of silicon for antifouling application.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaoning; Gao, Pei; Hollimon, Valerie; Brodus, DaShan; Johnson, Arion; Hu, Hongmei

    2018-02-07

    Thiol groups grafted silicon surface was prepared as previously described. 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol (PFDT) molecules were then immobilized on such a surface through disulfide bonds formation. To investigate the contribution of PFDT coating to antifouling, the adhesion behaviors of Botryococcus braunii (B. braunii) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were studied through biofouling assays in the laboratory. The representative microscope images suggest reduced B. braunii and E. coli accumulation densities on PFDT integrated silicon substrate. However, the antifouling performance of PFDT integrated silicon substrate decreased over time. By incubating the aged substrate in 10 mM TCEP·HCl solution for 1 h, the fouled PFDT coating could be removed as the disulfide bonds were cleaved, resulting in reduced absorption of algal cells and exposure of non-fouled silicon substrate surface. Our results indicate that the thiol-terminated substrate can be potentially useful for restoring the fouled surface, as well as maximizing the effective usage of the substrate.

  10. Electrochemiluminescence sensors for scavengers of hydroxyl radical based on its annihilation in CdSe quantum dots film/peroxide system.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Hui; Ju, Huangxian

    2007-09-01

    This work elucidated the detailed electrochemiluminescence (ECL) process of the thioglycolic acid-capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) film/peroxide aqueous system. The QDs were first electrochemically reduced to form electrons-injected QDs approximately -1.1 V, which then reduced hydrogen peroxide to produce OH* radical. The intermediate OH* radical was a key species for producing holes-injected QDs. The ECL emission with a peak at -1.114 V was demonstrated to come from the 1Se-1Sh transition emission. Using thiol compounds as the model molecules to annihilate the OH* radical, their quenching effects on ECL emission were studied. This effect led to a novel strategy for ECL sensing of the scavengers of hydroxyl radical. The detection results of thiol compounds showed high sensitivity, good precision, and acceptable accuracy, suggesting the promising application of the proposed method for quick detection of both scavengers and generators of hydroxyl radical in different fields.

  11. Synthesis and biodegradation of the VX nerve agent derivative 2-DIISO-propylaminoethylsulfonic acid

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

    Warner, C.H.; Labare, M.P.; Wessel, T.E.

    1996-10-01

    The United States is currently examining biodegradation methods to demilitarize chemical weapons. The nerve agent, O-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl)methylphosphonothiolate (VX) is first chemically inactivated with water at 90% yielding two fragments. One fragment is 2-diisopropylaminoethanethiol which quickly reacts with another thiol fragment forming the disulfide, bis(2-diisopropylaminoethyl)disulfide. The presence of the disulfide bond in this compound renders it resistant to biodegradation. Methods for converting the disulfide to the sulfonic acid are currently being pursued by treatment with performic acid. However, the sulfonic: acid has been synthesized by an independent method. Preliminary experiments indicate that the sulfonic acid at 1.0 and 0.5 mM is degradedmore » by Rhodococcus dp. strain IGTS8 as evidenced by an increase in the optical density at 600 nm.« less

  12. Inactivation of human DGAT2 by oxidative stress on cysteine residues

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Kwangman; Kwon, Eun Bin; Kang, Mingu; Kim, Dong-eun; Jeong, Hyejeong; Kim, Janghwan; Kim, Jong Heon; Kim, Mun Ock; Han, Sang-Bae

    2017-01-01

    Diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) have a crucial role in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerol (TG), the major storage form of metabolic energy in eukaryotic organisms. Even though DGAT2, one of two distinct DGATs, has a vital role in TG biosynthesis, little is known about the regulation of DGAT2 activity. In this study, we examined the role of cysteine and its oxidation in the enzymatic activity of human DGAT2 in vitro. Human DGAT2 activity was considerably inhibited not only by thiol-modifying reagents (NEM and IA) but also by ROS-related chemicals (H2O2 and β-lapachone), while human DGAT1 and GPAT1 were little affected. Particularly, ROS-related chemicals concomitantly induced intermolecular disulfide crosslinking of human DGAT2. Both the oxidative inactivation and disulfide crosslinking were almost completely reversed by the treatment with DTT, a disulfide-reducing agent. These results clearly demonstrated the significant role of ROS-induced intermolecular crosslinking in the inactivation of human DGAT2 and also suggested DGAT2 as a redox-sensitive regulator in TG biosynthesis. PMID:28700690

  13. Aptamer-conjugated nanobubbles for targeted ultrasound molecular imaging.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chung-Hsin; Huang, Yu-Fen; Yeh, Chih-Kuang

    2011-06-07

    Targeted ultrasound contrast agents can be prepared by some specific bioconjugation techniques. The biotin-avidin complex is an extremely useful noncovalent binding system, but the system might induce immunogenic side effects in human bodies. Previous proposed covalently conjugated systems suffered from low conjugation efficiency and complex procedures. In this study, we propose a covalently conjugated nanobubble coupling with nucleic acid ligands, aptamers, for providing a higher specific affinity for ultrasound targeting studies. The sgc8c aptamer was linked with nanobubbles through thiol-maleimide coupling chemistry for specific targeting to CCRF-CEM cells. Further improvements to reduce the required time and avoid the degradation of nanobubbles during conjugation procedures were also made. Several investigations were used to discuss the performance and consistency of the prepared nanobubbles, such as size distribution, conjugation efficiency analysis, and flow cytometry assay. Further, we applied our conjugated nanobubbles to ex vivo ultrasound targeted imaging and compared the resulting images with optical images. The results indicated the availability of aptamer-conjugated nanobubbles in targeted ultrasound imaging and the practicability of using a highly sensitive ultrasound system in noninvasive biological research.

  14. Two endogenous proteins that induce cell wall extension in plants

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McQueen-Mason, S.; Durachko, D. M.; Cosgrove, D. J.

    1992-01-01

    Plant cell enlargement is regulated by wall relaxation and yielding, which is thought to be catalyzed by elusive "wall-loosening" enzymes. By employing a reconstitution approach, we found that a crude protein extract from the cell walls of growing cucumber seedlings possessed the ability to induce the extension of isolated cell walls. This activity was restricted to the growing region of the stem and could induce the extension of isolated cell walls from various dicot stems and the leaves of amaryllidaceous monocots, but was less effective on grass coleoptile walls. Endogenous and reconstituted wall extension activities showed similar sensitivities to pH, metal ions, thiol reducing agents, proteases, and boiling in methanol or water. Sequential HPLC fractionation of the active wall extract revealed two proteins with molecular masses of 29 and 30 kD associated with the activity. Each protein, by itself, could induce wall extension without detectable hydrolytic breakdown of the wall. These proteins appear to mediate "acid growth" responses of isolated walls and may catalyze plant cell wall extension by a novel biochemical mechanism.

  15. Rapid, High Affinity Binding by a Fluorescein Templated Copolymer Combining Covalent, Hydrophobic, and Acid–Base Noncovalent Crosslinks

    PubMed Central

    Timberman, Anthony; Yang, Rongfang; Papantones, Alex; Seitz, W. Rudolf

    2018-01-01

    A new type of biomimetic templated copolymer has been prepared by reverse addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in dioxane. The initial formulation includes the template fluorescein, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM, 84 mol %), methacrylic acid (MAA, 5-mol %), 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP, 9 mmol %), and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA, 2 mol %). PolyNIPAM is a thermosensitive polymer that comes out of aqueous solution above its lower critical solution temperature forming hydrophobic ‘crosslinks’. MAA and 4-VP interact in dioxane forming acid–base crosslinks. The excess 4-VP serves as a recognition monomer organizing around the template fluorescein to form a binding site that is held in place by the noncovalent and covalent crosslinks. The MBA is a covalent crosslinker. The RAFT agent in the resulting copolylmer was reduced to a thiol and attached to gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticle bound copolymer binds fluorescein completely in less than two seconds with an affinity constant greater than 108 M−1. A reference copolymer prepared with the same monomers by the same procedure binds fluorescein much more weakly. PMID:29693601

  16. Redox agents and N-ethylmaleimide affect protein polymerization during laboratory scale dry pasta production and cooking.

    PubMed

    Bruneel, Charlotte; Buggenhout, Joke; Lagrain, Bert; Brijs, Kristof; Delcour, Jan A

    2016-04-01

    Durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) semolina gluten proteins consist of monomeric gliadin and polymeric glutenin and determine the quality of pasta products made therefrom. During pasta drying, glutenin starts polymerizing already below 60 °C (65% relative humidity (RH)), whereas gliadin only is incorporated in the protein network at temperatures exceeding 68 °C (68% RH) through thiol (SH)/disulfide (SS) exchange reactions. Removal of free SH groups in glutenin by adding 2.3 μmol KBrO3 or KIO3 per g dry matter semolina protein (g protein) or 13.8 μmol N-ethylmaleimide/g protein reduces gliadin-glutenin cross-linking during pasta drying and/or cooking and yields cooked pasta of high quality. Introducing free SH groups by adding 13.8 μmol glutathione/g protein increases gliadin-glutenin cross-linking during pasta processing, resulting in cooked pasta of lower quality. We hypothesize that too much gliadin incorporation in the glutenin network during pasta processing tightens the protein network and results in lower cooking quality. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Polyurethane with Tethered Copper(II)-Cyclen Complex: Preparation, Characterization and Catalytic Generation of Nitric Oxide from S-Nitrosothiols

    PubMed Central

    Hwang, Sangyeul

    2008-01-01

    The preparation and characterization of a commercial biomedical grade polyurethane (Tecophilic, SP-93A-100) material possessing covalently linked copper(II)-cyclen moieties as a nitric oxide (NO) generating polymer are described. Chemiluminescence NO measurements demonstrate that the prepared polymer can decompose endogenous S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) such as S-nitrosoglutathione and S-nitrosocysteine to NO in the presence of thiol reducing agents (RSHs; e.g., glutathione and cysteine) at physiological pH. Since such RSNO and RSH already exist in blood, the proposed polymer is capable of spontaneously generating NO when in contact with fresh blood. This is demonstrated by utilizing the polymer as an outer coating at the distal end of an amperometric NO sensor to create a device that generates response toward the RSNO species in the blood. This polymer possesses the combined benefits of a commercial biomedical grade polyurethane with the ability to generate biologically active NO when on contact with blood, and thus may serve as a useful coating to improve the hemocompatibility of various medical devices. PMID:18314189

  18. Protective effect of embelin from Embelia ribes Burm. against transient global ischemia-induced brain damage in rats.

    PubMed

    Thippeswamy, B S; Nagakannan, P; Shivasharan, B D; Mahendran, S; Veerapur, V P; Badami, S

    2011-11-01

    Embelia ribes is being used in Indian traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of mental disorders and as brain tonic. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of embelin from E. ribes on global ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury in rats. Transient global ischemia was induced by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries for 30 min followed by 24-h reperfusion. Neurological functions were measured using sensorimotor tests. Ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury was assessed by cerebral infarct area, biochemical and histopathological examination. Pretreatment of embelin (25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased locomotor activity and hanging latency time and decreased beam walking latency when compared with ischemic control. The treatment also reduced significantly the lipid peroxidation and increased the total thiol content and glutathione-S-transferase activity in brain homogenates. The decreased cerebral infarction area in embelin-treated groups and histopathological observations confirmed the above findings. These observations suggested that embelin is a neuroprotective agent and may prove to be useful adjunct in the treatment of stroke.

  19. Redox-responsive solid lipid microparticles composed of octadecyl acrylate and allyl disulfide.

    PubMed

    Kim, Tae Hoon; Kim, Jin-Chul

    2018-04-01

    Redox-responsive solid lipid microparticles were prepared by an emulsification photo-polymerization method. Octadecyl acrylate (ODA) and a cross-linker (i.e. allyl disulfide (ADS) and octadiene (ODE)) were dissolved in dichloromethane, it was emulsified in poly(vinyl alcohol) solution, and the resulting O/W emulsion was irradiated with UV light. On the scanning electron microscope micrographs, the microparticles were sphere-like and they were not markedly different from the oil droplets in size. Using the atomic compositions analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, the ODA to cross-linker molar ratio of ODA/ADS microparticles and ODA/ODE ones were calculated to be 1:0.13 and 1:0.15, respectively. In the FT-IR spectra of the microparticles, the signal of the vinyl group was hardly detected, implying that the monomer and the cross-linkers participated in the photo-polymerization. In differential scanning calorimetry study, ODA/ADS microparticles and ODA/ODE ones exhibited their endothermic peaks around 42.9 and 41.3 °C, respectively, possibly due to the melting of polymeric ODA. Dithiothreitol (DTT, a reducing agent) concentration had little effect on the release degree of dye loaded in ODA/ODE microparticles. Whereas, DTT concentration had a significant effect on the release degree of dye loaded in ODA/ADS microparticles. The release degree at 26 °C was weakly affected by DTT concentration. When the temperature was 37 °C, DTT concentration had a strong effect on the release degree. The disulfide cross-linker (i.e. ADS) can be broken to thiol compounds by the reducing agent, resulting in an increase in the release degree.

  20. Characterization of long-term extension of isolated cell walls from growing cucumber hypocotyls

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cosgrove, D. J.

    1989-01-01

    Walls from frozen-thawed cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) hypocotyls extend for many hours when placed in tension under acidic conditions. This study examined whether such "creep" is a purely physical process dependent on wall viscoelasticity alone or whether enzymatic activities are needed to maintain wall extension. Chemical denaturants inhibited wall creep, some acting reversibly and others irreversibly. Brief (15 s) boiling in water irreversibly inhibited creep, as did pre-incubation with proteases. Creep exhibited a high Q10 (3.8) between 20 degrees and 30 degrees C, with slow inactivation at higher temperatures, whereas the viscous flow of pectin solutions exhibited a much lower Q10 (1.35). On the basis of its temperature sensitivity, involvement of pectic gel-sol transitions was judged to be of little importance in creep. Pre-incubation of walls in neutral pH irreversibly inactivated their ability to creep, with a half-time of about 40 min. At 1 mM, Cu2+, Hg2+ and Al3+ were strongly inhibitory whereas most other cations, including Ca2+, had little effect. Sulfhydryl-reducing agents strongly stimulated creep, apparently by stabilizing wall enzyme(s). The physical effects of these treatments on polymer interactions were examined by Instron and stress-relaxation analyses. Some treatments, such as pH and Cu2+, had significant effects on wall viscoelasticity, but others had little or no apparent effect, thus implicating an enzymatic creep mechanism. The results indicate that creep depends on relatively rugged enzymes that are firmly attached to or entangled in the wall. The sensitivity of creep to SH-reducing agents indicates that thiol reduction of wall enzymes might provide a control mechanism for endogenous cell growth.

  1. Alpha-lipoic acid as a pleiotropic compound with potential therapeutic use in diabetes and other chronic diseases.

    PubMed

    Gomes, Marilia Brito; Negrato, Carlos Antonio

    2014-01-01

    Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring substance, essential for the function of different enzymes that take part in mitochondria's oxidative metabolism. It is believed that alpha-lipoic acid or its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid have many biochemical functions acting as biological antioxidants, as metal chelators, reducers of the oxidized forms of other antioxidant agents such as vitamin C and E, and modulator of the signaling transduction of several pathways. These above-mentioned actions have been shown in experimental studies emphasizing the use of alpha-lipoic acid as a potential therapeutic agent for many chronic diseases with great epidemiological as well economic and social impact such as brain diseases and cognitive dysfunctions like Alzheimer disease, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, burning mouth syndrome, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, some types of cancer, glaucoma and osteoporosis. Many conflicting data have been found concerning the clinical use of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetes and of diabetes-related chronic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, wound healing and diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. The most frequent clinical condition in which alpha-lipoic acid has been studied was in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 1 as well type 2 diabetes. Considering that oxidative stress, a imbalance between pro and antioxidants with excessive production of reactive oxygen species, is a factor in the development of many diseases and that alpha-lipoic acid, a natural thiol antioxidant, has been shown to have beneficial effects on oxidative stress parameters in various tissues we wrote this article in order to make an up-to-date review of current thinking regarding alpha-lipoic acid and its use as an antioxidant drug therapy for a myriad of diseases that could have potential benefits from its use.

  2. Mycothiol-Deficient Mycobacterium smegmatis Mutants Are Hypersensitive to Alkylating Agents, Free Radicals, and Antibiotics

    PubMed Central

    Rawat, Mamta; Newton, Gerald L.; Ko, Mary; Martinez, Gladys J.; Fahey, Robert C.; Av-Gay, Yossef

    2002-01-01

    Mycothiol (MSH; 1d-myo-inosityl 2-[N-acetyl-l-cysteinyl]amido-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside) is the major low-molecular-weight thiol produced by mycobacteria. Mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 deficient in MSH production were produced by chemical mutagenesis as well as by transposon mutagenesis. One chemical mutant (mutant I64) and two transposon mutants (mutants Tn1 and Tn2) stably deficient in MSH production were isolated by screening for reduced levels of MSH content. The MSH contents of transposon mutants Tn1 and Tn2 were found to be less than 0.1% that of the parent strain, and the MSH content of I64 was found to be 1 to 5% that of the parent strain. All three strains accumulated 1d-myo-inosityl 2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside to levels 20- to 25-fold the level found in the parent strain. The cysteine:1d-myo-inosityl 2-amino-2-deoxy-α-d-glucopyranoside ligase (MshC) activities of the three mutant strains were ≤2% that of the parent strain. Phenotypic analysis revealed that these MSH-deficient mutants possess increased susceptibilities to free radicals and alkylating agents and to a wide range of antibiotics including erythromycin, azithromycin, vancomycin, penicillin G, rifamycin, and rifampin. Conversely, the mutants possess at least 200-fold higher levels of resistance to isoniazid than the wild type. We mapped the mutation in the chemical mutant by sequencing the mshC gene and showed that a single amino acid substitution (L205P) is responsible for reduced MSH production and its associated phenotype. Our results demonstrate that there is a direct correlation between MSH depletion and enhanced sensitivity to toxins and antibiotics. PMID:12384335

  3. Reversible inactivation of CO dehydrogenase with thiol compounds

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

    Kreß, Oliver; Gnida, Manuel; Pelzmann, Astrid M.

    2014-05-09

    Highlights: • Rather large thiols (e.g. coenzyme A) can reach the active site of CO dehydrogenase. • CO- and H{sub 2}-oxidizing activity of CO dehydrogenase is inhibited by thiols. • Inhibition by thiols was reversed by CO or upon lowering the thiol concentration. • Thiols coordinate the Cu ion in the [CuSMo(=O)OH] active site as a third ligand. - Abstract: Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CO dehydrogenase) from Oligotropha carboxidovorans is a structurally characterized member of the molybdenum hydroxylase enzyme family. It catalyzes the oxidation of CO (CO + H{sub 2}O → CO{sub 2} + 2e{sup −} + 2H{sup +}) which proceedsmore » at a unique [CuSMo(=O)OH] metal cluster. Because of changing activities of CO dehydrogenase, particularly in subcellular fractions, we speculated whether the enzyme would be subject to regulation by thiols (RSH). Here we establish inhibition of CO dehydrogenase by thiols and report the corresponding K{sub i}-values (mM): L-cysteine (5.2), D-cysteine (9.7), N-acetyl-L-cysteine (8.2), D,L-homocysteine (25.8), L-cysteine–glycine (2.0), dithiothreitol (4.1), coenzyme A (8.3), and 2-mercaptoethanol (9.3). Inhibition of the enzyme was reversed by CO or upon lowering the thiol concentration. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of thiol-inhibited CO dehydrogenase revealed a bimetallic site in which the RSH coordinates to the Cu-ion as a third ligand ([Mo{sup VI}(=O)OH{sub (2)}SCu{sup I}(SR)S-Cys]) leaving the redox state of the Cu(I) and the Mo(VI) unchanged. Collectively, our findings establish a regulation of CO dehydrogenase activity by thiols in vitro. They also corroborate the hypothesis that CO interacts with the Cu-ion first. The result that thiol compounds much larger than CO can freely travel through the substrate channel leading to the bimetallic cluster challenges previous concepts involving chaperone function and is of importance for an understanding how the sulfuration step in the assembly of the bimetallic cluster might proceed.« less

  4. Sensitive determination of thiols in wine samples by a stable isotope-coded derivatization reagent d0/d4-acridone-10-ethyl-N-maleimide coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

    PubMed

    Lv, Zhengxian; You, Jinmao; Lu, Shuaimin; Sun, Weidi; Ji, Zhongyin; Sun, Zhiwei; Song, Cuihua; Chen, Guang; Li, Guoliang; Hu, Na; Zhou, Wu; Suo, Yourui

    2017-03-31

    As the key aroma compounds, varietal thiols are the crucial odorants responsible for the flavor of wines. Quantitative analysis of thiols can provide crucial information for the aroma profiles of different wine styles. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of six thiols in wine using d 0 /d 4 -acridone-10-ethyl-N-maleimide (d 0 /d 4 -AENM) as stable isotope-coded derivatization reagent (SICD) by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) has been developed. Quantification of thiols was performed by using d 4 -AENM labeled thiols as the internal standards (IS), followed by stable isotope dilution HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The AENM derivatization combined with multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) not only allowed trace analysis of thiols due to the extremely high sensitivity, but also efficiently corrected the matrix effects during HPLC-MS/MS and the fluctuation in MS/MS signal intensity due to instrument. The obtained internal standard calibration curves for six thiols were linear over the range of 25-10,000pmol/L (R 2 ≥0.9961). Detection limits (LODs) for most of analytes were below 6.3pmol/L. The proposed method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of six kinds of thiols in wine samples with precisions ≤3.5% and recoveries ≥78.1%. In conclusion, the developed method is expected to be a promising tool for detection of trace thiols in wine and also in other complex matrix. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. A Study of Functional Polymer Colloids Prepared Using Thiol-Ene/Yne Click Chemistry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Durham, Olivia Z.

    This project demonstrates the first instance of thiol-ene chemistry as the polymerization method for the production of polymer colloids in two-phase heterogeneous suspensions, miniemulsions, and emulsions. This work was also expanded to thiol-yne chemistry for the production of polymer particles containing increased crosslinking density. The utility of thiol-ene and thiol-yne chemistries for polymerization and polymer modification is well established in bulk systems. These reactions are considered 'click' reactions, which can be defined as processes that are both facile and simple, offering high yields with nearly 100% conversion, no side products, easy product separation, compatibility with a diverse variety of commercially available starting materials, and orthogonality with other chemistries. In addition, thiol-ene and thiol-yne chemistry follow a step-growth mechanism for the development of highly uniform polymer networks, where polymer growth is dependent on the coupling of functional groups. These step-growth polymerization systems are in stark contrast to the chain-growth mechanisms of acrylic and styrenic monomers that have dominated the field of conventional heterogeneous polymerizations. Preliminary studies evaluated the mechanism of particle production in suspension and miniemulsion systems. Monomer droplets were compared to the final polymer particles to confirm that particle growth occurred through the polymerization of monomer droplets. Additional parameters examined include homogenization energy (mechanical mixing), diluent species and concentration, and monomer content. These reactions were conducted using photoinitiation to yield particles in a matter of minutes with diameters in the size range of several microns to hundreds of microns in suspensions or submicron particles in miniemulsions. Improved control over the particle size and size distribution was examined through variation of reaction parameters. In addition, a method of seeded suspension polymerization was attempted. This project was further expanded through an extensive evaluation of stabilizers in thiol-ene suspension polymerizations. The scope of stabilizers used included synthetic surfactants (ionic and nonionic), natural gums, and colloidal silica (Pickering stabilization). Suspension polymerizations were further expanded to include thiol-yne chemistry for the evaluation of polymer composition and thermal properties. In addition, polymer particles with excess ene, yne, or thiol functionality were successfully developed to demonstrate the potential for further functionalization. The self-limiting behavior of thiol-ene/yne reactions allows for successful synthesis of functional polymer colloids using off-stoichiometric amounts of monomers. This capacity to control functionality is illustrated through the creation of fluorescent polymer particles using both an in situ thiol-ene polymerization reaction with a vinyl chromophore as well as through post-polymerization modification of thiol-ene and thiol-yne polymers with excess thiol functionality via thiol-isocyanate chemistry. To produce smaller polymer particles without the need for intense homogenization energy or high stabilizer concentrations, an emulsion polymerization system was implemented using a water soluble-thermal initiator. It was found that unlike thiol-ene suspensions, which are limited to crosslinked systems, thiol-ene emulsion polymerizations allowed for the production of polymer particles comprised of either crosslinked or linear polymer networks. For the crosslinked systems, various anionic SDS surfactant concentrations were examined to observe the influence on particle size. In linear polymer systems, variations in polymer composition were examined. Preliminary studies performed with a monomer with an ethylene glycol-like structure indicated that the synthesis of polymer particles with narrower size distributions compared to any of the other emulsion compositions was possible. Finally, thiol-ene chemistry was also employed toward the synthesis of degradable polyanhydride polymer particles. Unlike the aforementioned studies, the approach to particle synthesis was conducted by using a premade thiol-ene polymer. Various linear thiol-ene polyanhydrides were emulsified in water or buffered solutions via sonication. Polymer latex was obtained upon solvent evaporation of the dichloromethane (DCM) solvent used to solubilize the polymer. In this work, variation of polymer composition as well as degradation was examined. Additional experiments included a study of the release of Rhodamine B dye, functionalization of the linear polymers, and studies involving the delay of degradation through the incorporation of crosslinking in the polymer particles. The projects presented herein provide an innovative approach to the synthesis of polymer colloids using thiol-ene and thiol-yne 'click' chemistry in both heterogeneous polymerizations as well as through solvent evaporation of premade polymer solutions. Polymer colloids prove to be an area of great interest for numerous applications that encompass various areas involving biomedical and industrial technologies including paints and coatings, cosmetics, diagnostics, and drug delivery. Improvements in methods of chemical synthesis as well as advances in the tailoring of material properties are of utmost importance for the ever increasing demands of new technologies and educational enlightenment.

  6. Kinetic Resolution of sec-Thiols by Enantioselective Oxidation with Rationally Engineered 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural Oxidase.

    PubMed

    Pickl, Mathias; Swoboda, Alexander; Romero, Elvira; Winkler, Christoph K; Binda, Claudia; Mattevi, Andrea; Faber, Kurt; Fraaije, Marco W

    2018-03-05

    Various flavoprotein oxidases were recently shown to oxidize primary thiols. Herein, this reactivity is extended to sec-thiols by using structure-guided engineering of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural oxidase (HMFO). The variants obtained were employed for the oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic sec-thiols, thus yielding the corresponding thioketones and nonreacted R-configured thiols with excellent enantioselectivities (E≥200). The engineering strategy applied went beyond the classic approach of replacing bulky amino acid residues with smaller ones, as the active site was additionally enlarged by a newly introduced Thr residue. This residue established a hydrogen-bonding interaction with the substrates, as verified in the crystal structure of the variant. These strategies unlocked HMFO variants for the enantioselective oxidation of a range of sec-thiols. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. The change in serum Thiol/Disulphide homeostasis after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy

    PubMed Central

    Tokgöz, Hüsnü; Taş, Selim; Giray, Özlem; Yalçınkaya, Soner; Tokgöz, Özlem; Koca, Cemile; Savaş, Murat; Erel, Özcan

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this prospective clinical study was to investigate variations in a novel oxidative stress marker (thiol/disulphide homeostasis) in men who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). Materials and Methods A total of 22 men undergoing TRUSB of the prostate were enrolled in the study. Patients with abnormal digital rectal examination and/or total prostate specific antigen (PSA) over 4ng/mL underwent TRUSB with 12 cores. Serum samples were obtained before and just after the procedure to evaluate the possible changes in thiol/disulphide homeostasis. Mean age, total PSA and free PSA, prostate volume and histopathological data were also recorded. Results Mean age of the study population was 65.05±8.89 years. Significant decreases in native and total thiol levels were documented after the biopsy procedure. However, serum disulphide levels and disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native/total thiol ratios did not significantly change after TRUSB. No correlation was observed between oxidative parameters and total PSA and free PSA levels, prostate volume and histopathology of the prostate. However, mean patient age was significantly correlated with mean native and total thiol levels. Conclusion Significant decreases in serum native and total thiol levels related to the prostate biopsy procedure suggest that TRUSB causes acute oxidative stress in the human body. Since our trial is the first in the current literature to investigate these oxidative stress markers in urology practice, additional studies are warranted. PMID:28128906

  8. The change in serum Thiol/Disulphide homeostasis after transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy.

    PubMed

    Tokgöz, Hüsnü; Taş, Selim; Giray, Özlem; Yalçınkaya, Soner; Tokgöz, Özlem; Koca, Cemile; Savaş, Murat; Erel, Özcan

    2017-01-01

    The aim of this prospective clinical study was to investigate variations in a novel oxidative stress marker (thiol/disulphide homeostasis) in men who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB). A total of 22 men undergoing TRUSB of the prostate were enrolled in the study. Patients with abnormal digital rectal examination and/or total prostate specific antigen (PSA) over 4ng/mL underwent TRUSB with 12 cores. Serum samples were obtained before and just after the procedure to evaluate the possible changes in thiol/disulphide homeostasis. Mean age, total PSA and free PSA, prostate volume and histopathological data were also recorded. Mean age of the study population was 65.05±8.89 years. Significant decreases in native and total thiol levels were documented after the biopsy procedure. However, serum disulphide levels and disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native / total thiol ratios did not significantly change after TRUSB. No correlation was observed between oxidative parameters and total PSA and free PSA levels, prostate volume and histopathology of the prostate. However, mean patient age was significantly correlated with mean native and total thiol levels. Significant decreases in serum native and total thiol levels related to the prostate biopsy procedure suggest that TRUSB causes acute oxidative stress in the human body. Since our trial is the first in the current literature to investigate these oxidative stress markers in urology practice, additional studies are warranted. Copyright® by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology.

  9. Increasing taurine intake and taurine synthesis improves skeletal muscle function in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    PubMed Central

    Pinniger, Gavin J.; Graves, Jamie A.; Grounds, Miranda D.; Arthur, Peter G.

    2016-01-01

    Key points Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease associated with increased inflammation, oxidative stress and myofibre necrosis.Cysteine precursor antioxidants such as N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) and l‐2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate (OTC) reduce dystropathology in the mdx mouse model for DMD, and we propose this is via increased synthesis of the amino acid taurine.We compared the capacity of OTC and taurine treatment to increase taurine content of mdx muscle, as well as effects on in vivo and ex vivo muscle function, inflammation and oxidative stress.Both treatments increased taurine in muscles, and improved many aspects of muscle function and reduced inflammation. Taurine treatment also reduced protein thiol oxidation and was overall more effective, as OTC treatment reduced body and muscle weight, suggesting some adverse effects of this drug.These data suggest that increasing dietary taurine is a better candidate for a therapeutic intervention for DMD. Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease for which there is no widely available cure. Whilst the mechanism of loss of muscle function in DMD and the mdx mouse model are not fully understood, disruptions in intracellular calcium homeostasis, inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated. We have shown that protein thiol oxidation is increased in mdx muscle, and that the indirect thiol antioxidant l‐2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylate (OTC), which increases cysteine availability, decreases pathology and increases in vivo strength. We propose that the protective effects of OTC are a consequence of conversion of cysteine to taurine, which has itself been shown to be beneficial to mdx pathology. This study compares the efficacy of taurine with OTC in decreasing dystropathology in mdx mice by measuring in vivo and ex vivo contractile function and measurements of inflammation and protein thiol oxidation. Increasing the taurine content of mdx muscle improved both in vivo and ex vivo muscle strength and function, potentially via anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of taurine. OTC treatment increased taurine synthesis in the liver and taurine content of mdx muscle, improved muscle function and decreased inflammation. However, OTC was less effective than taurine treatment, with OTC also decreasing body and EDL muscle weights, suggesting that OTC had some detrimental effects. These data support continued research into the use of taurine as a therapeutic intervention for DMD, and suggest that increasing dietary taurine is the better strategy for increasing taurine content and decreasing severity of dystropathology. PMID:26659826

  10. Increasing taurine intake and taurine synthesis improves skeletal muscle function in the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

    PubMed

    Terrill, Jessica R; Pinniger, Gavin J; Graves, Jamie A; Grounds, Miranda D; Arthur, Peter G

    2016-06-01

    Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease associated with increased inflammation, oxidative stress and myofibre necrosis. Cysteine precursor antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and l-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC) reduce dystropathology in the mdx mouse model for DMD, and we propose this is via increased synthesis of the amino acid taurine. We compared the capacity of OTC and taurine treatment to increase taurine content of mdx muscle, as well as effects on in vivo and ex vivo muscle function, inflammation and oxidative stress. Both treatments increased taurine in muscles, and improved many aspects of muscle function and reduced inflammation. Taurine treatment also reduced protein thiol oxidation and was overall more effective, as OTC treatment reduced body and muscle weight, suggesting some adverse effects of this drug. These data suggest that increasing dietary taurine is a better candidate for a therapeutic intervention for DMD. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle wasting disease for which there is no widely available cure. Whilst the mechanism of loss of muscle function in DMD and the mdx mouse model are not fully understood, disruptions in intracellular calcium homeostasis, inflammation and oxidative stress are implicated. We have shown that protein thiol oxidation is increased in mdx muscle, and that the indirect thiol antioxidant l-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC), which increases cysteine availability, decreases pathology and increases in vivo strength. We propose that the protective effects of OTC are a consequence of conversion of cysteine to taurine, which has itself been shown to be beneficial to mdx pathology. This study compares the efficacy of taurine with OTC in decreasing dystropathology in mdx mice by measuring in vivo and ex vivo contractile function and measurements of inflammation and protein thiol oxidation. Increasing the taurine content of mdx muscle improved both in vivo and ex vivo muscle strength and function, potentially via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of taurine. OTC treatment increased taurine synthesis in the liver and taurine content of mdx muscle, improved muscle function and decreased inflammation. However, OTC was less effective than taurine treatment, with OTC also decreasing body and EDL muscle weights, suggesting that OTC had some detrimental effects. These data support continued research into the use of taurine as a therapeutic intervention for DMD, and suggest that increasing dietary taurine is the better strategy for increasing taurine content and decreasing severity of dystropathology. © 2015 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2015 The Physiological Society.

  11. Modification of Ag nanoparticles with mixed thiols for improved SERS detection of poorly adsorbing target molecules: detection of MDMA.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Alan; Bell, Steven E J

    2011-04-21

    Here we report an example of a mixed thiol monolayer on the surface of Ag nanoparticles which promotes adsorption and quantitative SERS detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"); the thiols in the mixed monolayers act synergistically since MDMA does not adsorb onto colloids modified with either of the thiols separately. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

  12. Thiol Redox and pKa Properties of Mycothiol, the Predominant Low-Molecular-Weight Thiol Cofactor in the Actinomycetes.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Sunil V; Van Laer, Koen; Messens, Joris; Hamilton, Chris J

    2016-09-15

    The thiol pKa and standard redox potential of mycothiol, the major low-molecular-weight thiol cofactor in the actinomycetes, are reported. The measured standard redox potential reveals substantial discrepancies in one or more of the other previously measured intracellular parameters that are relevant to mycothiol redox biochemistry. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Reaction Mechanisms of Metals with Hydrogen Sulfide and Thiols in Model Wine. Part 1: Copper-Catalyzed Oxidation.

    PubMed

    Kreitman, Gal Y; Danilewicz, John C; Jeffery, David W; Elias, Ryan J

    2016-05-25

    Sulfidic off-odors as a result of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and low-molecular-weight thiols are commonly encountered in wine production. These odors are usually removed by the process of Cu(II) fining, a process that remains poorly understood. The present study aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Cu(II) interacts with H2S and thiol compounds (RSH) under wine-like conditions. Copper complex formation was monitored along with H2S, thiol, oxygen, and acetaldehyde concentrations after the addition of Cu(II) (50 or 100 μM) to air-saturated model wine solutions containing H2S, cysteine, 6-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, or 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (300 μM each). The presence of H2S and thiols in excess to Cu(II) led to the rapid formation of ∼1.4:1 H2S/Cu and ∼2:1 thiol/Cu complexes, resulting in the oxidation of H2S and thiols and reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I), which reacted with oxygen. H2S was observed to initially oxidize rather than form insoluble copper sulfide. The proposed reaction mechanisms provide insight into the extent to which H2S can be selectively removed in the presence of thiols in wine.

  14. Identification of novel aroma-active thiols in pan-roasted white sesame seeds.

    PubMed

    Tamura, Hitoshi; Fujita, Akira; Steinhaus, Martin; Takahisa, Eisuke; Watanabe, Hiroyuki; Schieberle, Peter

    2010-06-23

    Screening for aroma-active compounds in an aroma distillate obtained from freshly pan-roasted sesame seeds by aroma extract dilution analysis revealed 32 odorants in the FD factor range of 2-2048, 29 of which could be identified. The highest FD factors were found for the coffee-like smelling 2-furfurylthiol, the caramel-like smelling 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, the coffee-like smelling 2-thenylthiol (thiophen-2-yl-methylthiol), and the clove-like smelling 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol. In addition, 9 odor-active thiols with sulfurous, meaty, and/or catty, black-currant-like odors were identified for the first time in roasted sesame seeds. Among them, 2-methyl-1-propene-1-thiol, (Z)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-3-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (Z)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, (E)-2-methyl-1-butene-1-thiol, and 4-mercapto-3-hexanone were previously unknown as food constituents. Their structures were confirmed by comparing their mass spectra and retention indices as well as their sensory properties with those of synthesized reference compounds. The relatively unstable 1-alkene-1-thiols represent a new class of food odorants and are suggested as the key contributors to the characteristic, but quickly vanishing, aroma of freshly ground roasted sesame seeds.

  15. Bovine brain pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase (type-1): purification and characterisation of a neuropeptide-inactivating peptidase.

    PubMed

    Cummins, P M; O'Connor, B

    1996-08-01

    Pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase type-1 (PAP-I) is reported to be a soluble, broad specificity aminopeptidase, capable of removing the pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) residue from the amino terminus of pGlu-peptides (e.g. TRH, LHRH, neurotensin and bombesin). The central aim of this study was to undertake, for the first time, the complete purification and characterisation of a PAP activity observed within the cytosolic fraction of bovine whole brain and to compare the properties of the enzyme with previous findings. A series of chromatographic steps (DEAE-Sepharose, Sephacryl S-200 and Activated Thiol Sepharose 4B) generated a soluble PAP activity purified to near homogeneity with a total active yield of 6.6% The enzyme displayed a native molecular mass of approximately 23,700 Da, which compares well with that value obtained under denaturing conditions via SDS-PAGE (24,000 Da), suggesting that the enzyme exists as a monomer. The expression of PAP activity displayed an absolute requirement for the presence of a disulphide bond-reducing agent such as DTT, whilst optimum activity was observed at pH 8.5. strong inhibition of PAP activity was observed with a number of different agents, including transition metal ions, sulphydryl-blocking agents and 2-pyrrolidone (a pGlu analog). A broad pyroglutamyl substrate specificity, which excludes substrates commencing with the pGlu-Pro bond, was also demonstrated for the bovine brain enzyme. Based on a comparison of these findings with those reported for PAP-I in other mammalian tissues, the soluble PAP activity observed in bovine whole brain can tentatively be classified as a pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase type-1 (EC 3.4.19.3).

  16. Cysteine-containing peptides having antioxidant properties

    DOEpatents

    Bielicki, John K [Castro Valley, CA

    2009-10-13

    Cysteine containing amphipathic alpha helices of the exchangeable apolipoproteins, as exemplified by apolipoprotein (apo) A-I.sub.Milano (R173C) and apoA-I.sub.Paris, (R151C) were found to exhibit potent antioxidant activity on phospholipid surfaces. The addition of a free thiol, at the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface of an amphipathic alpha helix of synthetic peptides that mimic HDL-related proteins, imparts a unique antioxidant activity to these peptides which inhibits lipid peroxidation and protects phospholipids from water-soluble free radical initiators. These peptides can be used as therapeutic agents to combat cardiovascular disease, ischemia, bone disease and other inflammatory related diseases.

  17. Cysteine-containing peptides having antioxidant properties

    DOEpatents

    Bielicki, John K [Castro Valley, CA

    2008-10-21

    Cysteine containing amphipathic alpha helices of the exchangeable apolipoproteins, as exemplified by apolipoprotein (apo) A-I.sub.Milano (R173C) and apoA-I.sub.Paris, (R151C) were found to exhibit potent antioxidant activity on phospholipid surfaces. The addition of a free thiol, at the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface of an amphipathic alpha helix of synthetic peptides that mimic HDL-related proteins, imparts a unique antioxidant activity to these peptides which inhibits lipid peroxidation and protects phospholipids from water-soluble free radical initiators. These peptides can be used as therapeutic agents to combat cardiovascular disease, ischemia, bone disease and other inflammatory related diseases.

  18. Erythrocyte membrane stability to hydrogen peroxide is decreased in Alzheimer disease.

    PubMed

    Gilca, Marilena; Lixandru, Daniela; Gaman, Laura; Vîrgolici, Bogdana; Atanasiu, Valeriu; Stoian, Irina

    2014-01-01

    The brain and erythrocytes have similar susceptibility toward free radicals. Therefore, erythrocyte abnormalities might indicate the progression of the oxidative damage in Alzheimer disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate erythrocyte membrane stability and plasma antioxidant status in AD. Fasting blood samples (from 17 patients with AD and 14 healthy controls) were obtained and erythrocyte membrane stability against hydrogen peroxide and 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), serum Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), residual antioxidant activity or gap (GAP), erythrocyte catalase activity (CAT), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, erythrocyte nonproteic thiols, and total plasma thiols were determined. A significant decrease in erythrocyte membrane stability to hydrogen peroxide was found in AD patients when compared with controls (P<0.05). On the contrary, CAT activity (P<0.0001) and total plasma thiols (P<0.05) were increased in patients with AD compared with controls. Our results indicate that the most satisfactory measurement of the oxidative stress level in the blood of patients with AD is the erythrocyte membrane stability to hydrogen peroxide. Reduced erythrocyte membrane stability may be further evaluated as a potential peripheral marker for oxidative damage in AD.

  19. Reactivation of oxidized PTP1B and PTEN by Thioredoxin 1

    PubMed Central

    Schwertassek, Ulla; Haque, Aftabul; Krishnan, Navasona; Greiner, Romy; Weingarten, Lars; Dick, Tobias P.; Tonks, Nicholas K.

    2014-01-01

    The transient inactivation of protein phosphatases contributes to the efficiency and temporal control of kinase-dependent signal transduction. In particular, members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family are known to undergo reversible oxidation of their active site cysteine. The thiol oxidation step requires activation of co-localized NADPH oxidases and is mediated by locally produced ROS, in particular H2O2. How oxidized phosphatases are returned to the reduced active state is less well studied. Both major thiol reductive systems, the thioredoxin and the glutathione systems, have been implicated in the reactivation of phosphatases. Here, we show that the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B and the dual-specificity phosphatase PTEN are preferentially reactivated by the thioredoxin system. We show that inducible depletion of TRX1 slows down PTEN re-activation in intact living cells. Finally, using a mechanism-based trapping approach we demonstrate direct thiol disulfide exchange between the active sites of thioredoxin and either phosphatase. The application of thioredoxin trapping mutants represents a complementary approach to direct assays of PTP oxidation in elucidating the significance of redox regulation of PTP function in the control of cell signaling. PMID:24976139

  20. “Turn-on” fluorescence probe integrated polymer nanoparticles for sensing biological thiol molecules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ang, Chung Yen; Tan, Si Yu; Lu, Yunpeng; Bai, Linyi; Li, Menghuan; Li, Peizhou; Zhang, Quan; Selvan, Subramanian Tamil; Zhao, Yanli

    2014-11-01

    A ``turn-on'' thiol-responsive fluorescence probe was synthesized and integrated into polymeric nanoparticles for sensing intracellular thiols. There is a photo-induced electron transfer process in the off state of the probe, and this process is terminated upon the reaction with thiol compounds. Configuration interaction singles (CIS) calculation was performed to confirm the mechanism of this process. A series of sensing studies were carried out, showing that the probe-integrated nanoparticles were highly selective towards biological thiol compounds over non-thiolated amino acids. Kinetic studies were also performed to investigate the relative reaction rate between the probe and the thiolated amino acids. Subsequently, the Gibbs free energy of the reactions was explored by means of the electrochemical method. Finally, the detection system was employed for sensing intracellular thiols in cancer cells, and the sensing selectivity could be further enhanced with the use of a cancer cell-targeting ligand in the nanoparticles. This development paves a path for the sensing and detection of biological thiols, serving as a potential diagnostic tool in the future.

  1. Thiol-ene chemistry guided preparation of thiolated polymeric nanocomposite for anodic stripping voltammetric analysis of Cd2+ and Pb2+.

    PubMed

    Su, Zhaohong; Liu, Ying; Zhang, Yi; Xie, Qingji; Chen, Li; Huang, Yi; Fu, Yingchun; Meng, Yue; Li, Xuejiao; Ma, Ming; Yao, Shouzhuo

    2013-02-21

    We report on the thiol-ene chemistry guided preparation of a novel thiolated polymeric nanocomposite involving polyaniline (PANI), a functionalized thiol, e.g., sulfur-rich 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMcT), and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the sensitive differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric determination of Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Briefly, the thiol-ene reaction of a thiol with oxidized PANI that was chemically synthesized in the presence of solution-dispersed acidified MWCNTs yielded a thiolated polymeric nanocomposite of thiol-PANI/MWCNTs. The thiols examined include DMcT, 1,6-hexanedithiol and β-mercaptoethanol. Quartz crystal microbalance, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy were used for film characterization and process monitoring. Under the optimized conditions, the obtained Bi/Nafion/DMcT-PANI/MWCNTs/GCE can sensitively sense Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) with limits of detection of 0.01 and 0.04 μg L(-1), respectively.

  2. Thiols, recA induction and radiosensitivity in Escherichia coli.

    PubMed

    Naslund, M; Anderstam, B; Granath, F; Ehrenberg, L

    1996-01-01

    Induction by gamma-radiation, UV radiation or hydroxyurea of RecA gene product synthesis in Escherichia coli, monitored as beta-D-galactosidase in recA-lacZ fusion strains, was shown to be inhibited if 2-mercaptoethylamine (MEA) was added before treatment with the inducing agents. If cysteine (Cys) at low concentrations was added at the same time as MEA it counteracted the action of MEA. The effect of MEA may be described as a competitive inhibition of an inducing or conducting effect of Cys. In E. coli GE499 (uvrA+), complete inhibition by 30-mmol dm-3 MEA of recA induction was associated with about five times higher radio-resistence. Both of these effects of MEA were completely reversed by 0.3-mmol dm-3 Cys. As shown in parallel experiments with E. coli GE500 (uvrA-), these effects of MEA and Cys were shown to be independent of excision-repair proficiency. Treatment of bacteria with MEA and/or Cys was shown not to lead to increased intracellular concentrations of these thiols. Instead, treatment with them appeared to provoke conspicuous increases in glutathione levels, which are, however, probably not directly involved in the studied action of MEA and Cys.

  3. Destruction of Opportunistic Pathogens via Polymer Nanoparticle-Mediated Release of Plant-Based Antimicrobial Payloads

    PubMed Central

    Amato, Dahlia N.; Amato, Douglas V.; Mavrodi, Olga V.; Braasch, Dwaine A.; Walley, Susan E.; Douglas, Jessica R.

    2017-01-01

    The synthesis of antimicrobial thymol/carvacrol-loaded polythioether nanoparticles (NPs) via a one-pot, solvent-free miniemulsion thiol-ene photopolymerization process is reported. The active antimicrobial agents, thymol and carvacrol, are employed as “solvents” for the thiol-ene monomer phase in the miniemulsion to enable facile high capacity loading (≈50% w/w), excellent encapsulation efficiencies (>95%), and elimination of all postpolymerization purification processes. The NPs serve as high capacity reservoirs for slow-release and delivery of thymol/carvacrol-combination payloads that exhibit inhibitory and bactericidal activity (>99.9% kill efficiency at 24 h) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including both saprophytic (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and pathogenic species (E. coli ATCC 43895, Staphylococcus aureus RN6390, and Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2). This report is among the first to demonstrate antimicrobial efficacy of essential oil-loaded nanoparticles against B. cenocepacia – an innately resistant opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with debilitating respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. Although a model platform, these results point to promising pathways to particle-based delivery of plant-derived extracts for a range of antimicrobial applications, including active packaging materials, topical antiseptics, and innovative therapeutics. PMID:26946055

  4. Sulfone-stabilized carbanions for the reversible covalent capture of a posttranslationally-generated cysteine oxoform found in protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).

    PubMed

    Parsons, Zachary D; Ruddraraju, Kasi Viswanatharaju; Santo, Nicholas; Gates, Kent S

    2016-06-15

    Redox regulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) involves oxidative conversion of the active site cysteine thiolate into an electrophilic sulfenyl amide residue. Reduction of the sulfenyl amide by biological thiols regenerates the native cysteine residue. Here we explored fundamental chemical reactions that may enable covalent capture of the sulfenyl amide residue in oxidized PTP1B. Various sulfone-containing carbon acids were found to react readily with a model peptide sulfenyl amide via attack of the sulfonyl carbanion on the electrophilic sulfur center in the sulfenyl amide. Both the products and the rates of these reactions were characterized. The results suggest that capture of a peptide sulfenyl amide residue by sulfone-stabilized carbanions can slow, but not completely prevent, thiol-mediated generation of the corresponding cysteine-containing peptide. Sulfone-containing carbon acids may be useful components in the construction of agents that knock down PTP1B activity in cells via transient covalent capture of the sulfenyl amide oxoform generated during insulin signaling processes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles using hetero-bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) spacer for intracellular tracking and delivery

    PubMed Central

    Shenoy, Dinesh; Fu, Wei; Li, Jane; Crasto, Curtis; Jones, Graham; DiMarzio, Charles; Sridhar, Srinivas; Amiji, Mansoor

    2006-01-01

    For the development of surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles as cellular probes and delivery agents, we have synthesized hetero-bifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, MW 1500) having a thiol group on one terminus and a reactive functional group on the other for use as a flexible spacer. Coumarin, a model fluorescent dye, was conjugated to one end of the PEG spacer and gold nanoparticles were modified with coumarin-PEG-thiol. Surface attachment of coumarin through the PEG spacer decreased the fluorescence quenching effect of gold nanoparticles. The results of cellular cytotoxicity and fluorescence confocal analyses showed that the PEG spacer-modified nanoparticles were essentially non-toxic and could be efficiently internalized in the cells within 1 hour of incubation. Intracellular particle tracking using a Keck 3-D Fusion Microscope System showed that the functionalized gold nanoparticles were rapidly internalized in the cells and localized in the peri-nuclear region. Using the PEG spacer, the gold nano-platform can be conjugated with a variety of biologically relevant ligands such as fluorescent dyes, antibodies, etc in order to target, probe, and induce a stimulus at the target site. PMID:16467923

  6. Investigation of a thiolated polymer in gene delivery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bacalocostantis, Irene

    Thiol-containing bioreducible polymers show significant potential as delivery vectors in gene therapy, a rapidly growing field which seeks to treat genetic-based disorders by delivering functional synthetic genes to diseased cells. Studies have shown that thiolated polymers exhibit improved biodegradability and prolonged in vivo circulation times over non-thiolated polymers. However, the extent to which thiol concentrations impact the carrier's delivery potential has not been well explored. The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how relative concentrations of free thiols and disulfide crosslinks impact a polymeric carriers delivery performance with respect to DNA packaging, complex stability, cargo protection, gene release, internalization efficiency and cytotoxicity. To accomplish this goal, several fluorescent polymers containing varying concentrations of thiol groups were synthesized by conjugating thiol-pendant chains onto the primary amines of cationic poly(allylamine). In vitro delivery assays and characterization techniques were employed to assess the effect of thiols in gene delivery.

  7. Evaluation of low molecular mass thiols content in carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

    PubMed

    Zinellu, Angelo; Lepedda, Antonio; Sotgia, Salvatore; Zinellu, Elisabetta; Scanu, Bastianina; Turrini, Franco; Spirito, Rita; Deiana, Luca; Formato, Marilena; Carru, Ciriaco

    2009-06-01

    Despite the evidence that both homocysteine and cysteine are important risk factors for vascular disease and atherosclerosis no information are reported about their effective amount in plaque and on the relationship with the other low molecular weight thiols. We used capillary electrophoresis to measure thiols in both carotid plaque specimens and plasma samples from 37 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Pearson's correlation shows that intraplaque homocysteine, cysteine and cysteinylglycine levels are related to their plasma concentrations. The distribution of intraplaque GSH and Glu-Cys was higher than that of the same thiols in plasma, whereas the other thiols were significantly less prevalent in plaque than in plasma. Intraplaque haemoglobin and GSH levels were correlated, thus suggesting their common origin from erythrocytes lysis. Data suggest that increased levels of intraplaque glutathione may induce important effects on plaque fate by perturbing the normal LMW thiol redox state.

  8. Comparative Biochemistry and Metabolism. Part 2. Naphthalene Lung Toxicity.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1985-11-01

    Metabolites to Intra- and Extracellular Proteins .............. ........ 18 Thiol Status in Isolated Hepatocytes Incubated with Naphthalene or Menadione ...Viabilities of isolated hepatocytes incubated with menadione and varying concentrations of n aphthalene...23 15 Intracellular reduced glutathione levels in hepa- tocytes incubated in the presence of menadione or varying concentrations of naphthalene

  9. A Targeting Microbubble for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging

    PubMed Central

    Yeh, James Shue-Min; Sennoga, Charles A.; McConnell, Ellen; Eckersley, Robert; Tang, Meng-Xing; Nourshargh, Sussan; Seddon, John M.; Haskard, Dorian O.; Nihoyannopoulos, Petros

    2015-01-01

    Rationale Microbubbles conjugated with targeting ligands are used as contrast agents for ultrasound molecular imaging. However, they often contain immunogenic (strept)avidin, which impedes application in humans. Although targeting bubbles not employing the biotin-(strept)avidin conjugation chemistry have been explored, only a few reached the stage of ultrasound imaging in vivo, none were reported/evaluated to show all three of the following properties desired for clinical applications: (i) low degree of non-specific bubble retention in more than one non-reticuloendothelial tissue; (ii) effective for real-time imaging; and (iii) effective for acoustic quantification of molecular targets to a high degree of quantification. Furthermore, disclosures of the compositions and methodologies enabling reproduction of the bubbles are often withheld. Objective To develop and evaluate a targeting microbubble based on maleimide-thiol conjugation chemistry for ultrasound molecular imaging. Methods and Results Microbubbles with a previously unreported generic (non-targeting components) composition were grafted with anti-E-selectin F(ab’)2 using maleimide-thiol conjugation, to produce E-selectin targeting microbubbles. The resulting targeting bubbles showed high specificity to E-selectin in vitro and in vivo. Non-specific bubble retention was minimal in at least three non-reticuloendothelial tissues with inflammation (mouse heart, kidneys, cremaster). The bubbles were effective for real-time ultrasound imaging of E-selectin expression in the inflamed mouse heart and kidneys, using a clinical ultrasound scanner. The acoustic signal intensity of the targeted bubbles retained in the heart correlated strongly with the level of E-selectin expression (|r|≥0.8), demonstrating a high degree of non-invasive molecular quantification. Conclusions Targeting microbubbles for ultrasound molecular imaging, based on maleimide-thiol conjugation chemistry and the generic composition described, may possess properties (i)–(iii) desired for clinical applications. PMID:26161541

  10. Cynaropicrin targets the trypanothione redox system in Trypanosoma brucei.

    PubMed

    Zimmermann, Stefanie; Oufir, Mouhssin; Leroux, Alejandro; Krauth-Siegel, R Luise; Becker, Katja; Kaiser, Marcel; Brun, Reto; Hamburger, Matthias; Adams, Michael

    2013-11-15

    In mice cynaropicrin (CYN) potently inhibits the proliferation of Trypanosoma brucei-the causative agent of Human African Trypanosomiasis-by a so far unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that CYNs α,β-unsaturated methylene moieties act as Michael acceptors for glutathione (GSH) and trypanothione (T(SH)2), the main low molecular mass thiols essential for unique redox metabolism of these parasites. The analysis of this putative mechanism and the effects of CYN on enzymes of the T(SH)2 redox metabolism including trypanothione reductase, trypanothione synthetase, glutathione-S-transferase, and ornithine decarboxylase are shown. A two step extraction protocol with subsequent UPLC-MS/MS analysis was established to quantify intra-cellular CYN, T(SH)2, GSH, as well as GS-CYN and T(S-CYN)2 adducts in intact T. b. rhodesiense cells. Within minutes of exposure to CYN, the cellular GSH and T(SH)2 pools were entirely depleted, and the parasites entered an apoptotic stage and died. CYN also showed inhibition of the ornithine decarboxylase similar to the positive control eflornithine. Significant interactions with the other enzymes involved in the T(SH)2 redox metabolism were not observed. Alongside many other biological activities sesquiterpene lactones including CYN have shown antitrypanosomal effects, which have been postulated to be linked to formation of Michael adducts with cellular nucleophiles. Here the interaction of CYN with biological thiols in a cellular system in general, and with trypanosomal T(SH)2 redox metabolism in particular, thus offering a molecular explanation for the antitrypanosomal activity is demonstrated. At the same time, the study provides a novel extraction and analysis protocol for components of the trypanosomal thiol metabolism. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Surface modification of model hydrogel contact lenses with hyaluronic acid via thiol-ene "click" chemistry for enhancing surface characteristics.

    PubMed

    Korogiannaki, Myrto; Zhang, Jianfeng; Sheardown, Heather

    2017-10-01

    Discontinuation of contact lens wear as a result of ocular dryness and discomfort is extremely common; as many as 26% of contact lens wearers discontinue use within the first year. While patients are generally satisfied with conventional hydrogel lenses, improving on-eye comfort continues to remain a goal. Surface modification with a biomimetic, ocular friendly hydrophilic layer of a wetting agent is hypothesized to improve the interfacial interactions of the contact lens with the ocular surface. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces grafted with a hydrophilic layer of hyaluronic acid are described. The immobilization reaction involved the covalent attachment of thiolated hyaluronic acid (20 kDa) on acrylated poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) via nucleophile-initiated Michael addition thiol-ene "click" chemistry. The surface chemistry of the modified surfaces was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The appearance of N (1s) and S (2p) peaks on the low resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra confirmed successful immobilization of hyaluronic acid. Grafting hyaluronic acid to the poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces decreased the contact angle, the dehydration rate, and the amount of nonspecific sorption of lysozyme and albumin in comparison to pristine hydrogel materials, suggesting the development of more wettable surfaces with improved water-retentive and antifouling properties, while maintaining optical transparency (>92%). In vitro testing also showed excellent viability of human corneal epithelial cells with the hyaluronic acid-grafted poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) surfaces. Hence, surface modification with hyaluronic acid via thiol-ene "click" chemistry could be useful in improving contact lens surface properties, potentially alleviating symptoms of contact lens related dryness and discomfort during wear.

  12. [The sources of inorganic sulfur in the process of cluster protein Fnr[4Fe-4S]2+ reconstruction in Escherichia coli cells cultivated with NO-donating agents].

    PubMed

    Vasil'eva, S V; Strel'tsova, D A; Vlaskina, A V; Mikoian, V D; Vanin, A F

    2012-01-01

    Dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) with thiol ligands--binuclear and mononuclear--inhibited aidB gene expression in E. coli cells. This process is due to the nitrosylation of the active center in iron-sulfur protein Fnr [4Fe-4S]2+ by low-molecular DNICs. The next step is transformation of the above DNICs into the DNICs with the thiol groups in the apo-form of Fnr protein. These nitrosylated proteins are characterized by the EPR signal with g perpendicular = 2.04 and g parallel 1 = 2,014. An addition of sulfur containing L-Cys or N-A-L-Cys as well as Na2S to the cells lead to the increasing in the aidB gene expression simultaneously with an appearance of the EPR signal with g perpendicular = 2.04 and g parallel = 2.02 as the characteristics of the DNICs with persulfide (R-S-S-) ligands. We suppose that the recovery of the aidB gene activity was due to the accumulation of inorganic sulfur in the cells and reconstruction of the active center in Fnr[4Fe-4S]2+. It appears that the above process is the function of L-cysteine-desulfurase protein which repaired the active center of Fnr[4Fe-4S]2+ protein using the sulfur from L-Cys or N-A-L-Cys after its deacetylation. On the other side the ions of inorganic sulfur being reacted with SH-groups led to the transformation of DNIC with thiol ligands into the persulfides. Na2S was the most potent activator of the aidB gene expression in our experiments.

  13. Assessment of oxidative stress markers and concentrations of selected elements in the leaves of Cassia occidentalis growing wild on a coal fly ash basin.

    PubMed

    Love, Amit; Banerjee, B D; Babu, C R

    2013-08-01

    Assessment of oxidative stress levels and tissue concentrations of elements in plants growing wild on fly ash basins is critical for realistic hazard identification of fly ash disposal areas. Hitherto, levels of oxidative stress markers in plants growing wild on fly ash basins have not been adequately investigated. We report here concentrations of selected metal and metalloid elements and levels of oxidative stress markers in leaves of Cassia occidentalis growing wild on a fly ash basin (Badarpur Thermal Power Station site) and a reference site (Garhi Mandu Van site). Plants growing on the fly ash basin had significantly high foliar concentration of As, Ni, Pb and Se and low foliar concentration of Mn and Fe compared to the plants growing on the reference site. The plants inhabiting the fly ash basin showed signs of oxidative stress and had elevated levels of lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage from cells and low levels of chlorophyll a and total carotenoids compared to plants growing at the reference site. The levels of both protein thiols and nonprotein thiols were elevated in plants growing on the fly ash basin compared to plants growing on the reference site. However, no differences were observed in the levels of cysteine, reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione in plants growing at both the sites. Our study suggests that: (1) fly ash triggers oxidative stress responses in plants growing wild on fly ash basin, and (2) elevated levels of protein thiols and nonprotein thiols may have a role in protecting the plants from environmental stress.

  14. Rapid disruption of intestinal epithelial tight junction and barrier dysfunction by ionizing radiation in mouse colon in vivo: protection by N-acetyl-l-cysteine

    PubMed Central

    Shukla, Pradeep K.; Gangwar, Ruchika; Manda, Bhargavi; Meena, Avtar S.; Yadav, Nikki; Szabo, Erzsebet; Balogh, Andrea; Lee, Sue Chin; Tigyi, Gabor

    2016-01-01

    The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation on apical junctions in colonic epithelium and mucosal barrier function in mice in vivo. Adult mice were subjected to total body irradiation (4 Gy) with or without N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) feeding for 5 days before irradiation. At 2–24 h postirradiation, the integrity of colonic epithelial tight junctions (TJ), adherens junctions (AJ), and the actin cytoskeleton was assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblot analysis of detergent-insoluble fractions for TJ and AJ proteins. The barrier function was evaluated by measuring vascular-to-luminal flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-inulin in vivo and luminal-to-mucosal flux in vitro. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring protein thiol oxidation. Confocal microscopy showed that radiation caused redistribution of occludin, zona occludens-1, claudin-3, E-cadherin, and β-catenin, as well as the actin cytoskeleton as early as 2 h postirradiation, and this effect was sustained for at least 24 h. Feeding NAC before irradiation blocked radiation-induced disruption of TJ, AJ, and the actin cytoskeleton. Radiation increased mucosal permeability to inulin in colon, which was blocked by NAC feeding. The level of reduced-protein thiols in colon was depleted by radiation with a concomitant increase in the level of oxidized-protein thiol. NAC feeding blocked the radiation-induced protein thiol oxidation. These data demonstrate that radiation rapidly disrupts TJ, AJ, and the actin cytoskeleton by an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism that can be prevented by NAC feeding. PMID:26822914

  15. The sigmaR regulon of Streptomyces coelicolor A32 reveals a key role in protein quality control during disulphide stress.

    PubMed

    Kallifidas, Dimitris; Thomas, Derek; Doughty, Phillip; Paget, Mark S B

    2010-06-01

    Diamide is an artificial disulphide-generating electrophile that mimics an oxidative shift in the cellular thiol-disulphide redox state (disulphide stress). The Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor senses and responds to disulphide stress through the sigma(R)-RsrA system, which comprises an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor and a redox-active anti-sigma factor. Known targets that aid in the protection and recovery from disulphide stress include the thioredoxin system and genes involved in producing the major thiol buffer mycothiol. Here we determine the global response to diamide in wild-type and sigR mutant backgrounds to understand the role of sigma(R) in this response and to reveal additional regulatory pathways that allow cells to cope with disulphide stress. In addition to thiol oxidation, diamide was found to cause protein misfolding and aggregation, which elicited the induction of the HspR heat-shock regulon. Although this response is sigma(R)-independent, sigma(R) does directly control Clp and Lon ATP-dependent AAA(+) proteases, which may partly explain the reduced ability of a sigR mutant to resolubilize protein aggregates. sigma(R) also controls msrA and msrB methionine sulphoxide reductase genes, implying that sigma(R)-RsrA is responsible for the maintenance of both cysteine and methionine residues during oxidative stress. This work shows that the sigma(R)-RsrA system plays a more significant role in protein quality control than previously realized, and emphasizes the importance of controlling the cellular thiol-disulphide redox balance.

  16. Increased Cysteine Biosynthesis Capacity of Transgenic Tobacco Overexpressing an O-Acetylserine(thiol) Lyase Modifies Plant Responses to Oxidative Stress1

    PubMed Central

    Youssefian, Shohab; Nakamura, Michimi; Orudgev, Emin; Kondo, Noriaki

    2001-01-01

    O-Acetylserine(thiol) lyase (OASTL), a key enzyme of plant sulfur metabolism, catalyzes the formation of Cys from sulfide and O-acetylserine. The biosynthesis of Cys is regarded as the exclusive function of sulfur reduction in plants, and a key limiting step in the production of glutathione (GSH), a thiol implicated in various cellular functions, including sulfur transport, gene expression, scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. To examine whether an increased capacity for cysteine (Cys) biosynthesis alters cellular responses to such stresses, we studied the differential changes in thiol levels and ROS scavenging of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants expressing the wheat (Triticum aestivum) OASTL gene, cys1, to SO2 and to the ROS generator, methyl viologen. Intracellular Cys and GSH contents were generally higher in cys1 transgenics than in controls under normal growth conditions, but became especially elevated in transgenic plants after SO2 exposure. An examination of differences in the ROS scavenging system of the transgenic plants also demonstrated the specific accumulation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase transcripts, known to be induced by Cys or GSH, and elevated cellular superoxide dismutase activities. The transgenic plants accordingly showed dramatic reductions in the extent of both foliar and photooxidative damage in response to acute SO2, as well as reduced levels of chlorosis and membrane damage following methyl viologen treatment. Overall, our results imply that OASTL plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of Cys and GSH that are required for regulation of plant responses to oxidative stress. PMID:11457951

  17. Arsenic speciation for the phytoremediation by the Chinese brake fern, Pteris vittata.

    PubMed

    Shoji, R; Yajima, R; Yano, Y

    2008-01-01

    Arsenic (As) speciation for the phytoremediation by the Chinese brake fern was studied. In particular, the mechanism of how plants induce compounds containing thiol (SH) and proteins by As exposure in terms of the relationship between As and phosphate uptaken into plant cells was examined. Pteris vittata callus could efficiently reduce As(V) to As(III) by the rapid introduction of reductase and synthesize thiols leading to phytochelatins production. Furthermore, Pteris vittata could control phosphate concentration in the cells corresponding to the concentration of arsenite and arsenate. To our best knowledge, this is the first report to show the mechanisms of such high As tolerance of Pteris vittata using their callus in terms of in vitro approach for the analysis of As speciation and metabolism route.

  18. Light-induced Conversion of Trp to Gly and Gly Hydroperoxide in IgG1

    PubMed Central

    Haywood, Jessica; Mozziconacci, Olivier; Allegre, Kevin M.; Kerwin, Bruce A.; Schöneich, Christian

    2013-01-01

    The exposure of IgG1 in aqueous solution to light with λ = 254 nm or λ > 295 nm yields products consistent with Trp radical cation formation followed by αC-βC cleavage of the Trp side chain. The resulting glycyl radicals are either reduced to Gly, or add oxygen prior to reduction to Gly hydroperoxide. Photoirradiation at λ = 254 nm targets Trp at positions 191 (light chain), 309 and 377 (heavy chain) while photoirradiation at λ > 295 nm targets Trp at position 309 (heavy chain). Mechanistically, the formation of Trp radical cations likely proceeds via photo-induced electron- or hydrogen-transfer to disulfide bonds, yielding thiyl radicals and thiols, where thiols may serve as reductants for the intermediary glycyl or glycylperoxyl radicals. PMID:23363477

  19. Evolution of thiol protective systems in prokaryotes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, R. C.; Newton, G. L.

    1986-01-01

    Biological thiols are essential elements in most aspects of cell function but undergo rapid oxidation to disulfides in the presence of oxygen. The evolution of systems to protect against such oxygen toxicity was essential to the emergence of aerobic life. The protection system used by eukaryotes is based upon glutathione (GSH) and GSH-dependent enzymes but many bacteria lack GSH and apparently use other mechanisms. The objective of this research is to elaborate the thiol protective mechanisms employed by prokaryotes of widely divergent evolutionary origin and to understand why GSH became the central thiol employed in essentially all higher organisms. Thiol-selective fluorescent labeling and HPLC analysis has been used to determine key monothiol components.

  20. Redox-activated MRI contrast agents based on lanthanide and transition metal ions.

    PubMed

    Tsitovich, Pavel B; Burns, Patrick J; McKay, Adam M; Morrow, Janet R

    2014-04-01

    The reduction/oxidation (redox) potential of tissue is tightly regulated in order to maintain normal physiological processes, but is disrupted in disease states. Thus, the development of new tools to map tissue redox potential may be clinically important for the diagnosis of diseases that lead to redox imbalances. One promising area of chemical research is the development of redox-activated probes for mapping tissue through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, we summarize several strategies for the design of redox-responsive MRI contrast agents. Our emphasis is on both lanthanide(III) and transition metal(II/III) ion complexes that provide contrast either as T1 relaxivity MRI contrast agents or as paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) contrast agents. These agents are redox-triggered by a variety of chemical reactions or switches including redox-activated thiol groups, and heterocyclic groups that interact with the metal ion or influence properties of other ancillary ligands. Metal ion centered redox is an approach which is ripe for development by coordination chemists. Redox-triggered metal ion approaches have great potential for creating large differences in magnetic properties that lead to changes in contrast. An attractive feature of these agents is the ease of fine-tuning the metal ion redox potential over a biologically relevant range. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Determination of thiol metabolites in human urine by stable isotope labeling in combination with pseudo-targeted mass spectrometry analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Ping; Qi, Chu-Bo; Zhu, Quan-Fei; Yuan, Bi-Feng; Feng, Yu-Qi

    2016-02-01

    Precursor ion scan and multiple reaction monitoring scan (MRM) are two typical scan modes in mass spectrometry analysis. Here, we developed a strategy by combining stable isotope labeling (IL) with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) under double precursor ion scan (DPI) and MRM for analysis of thiols in 5 types of human cancer urine. Firstly, the IL-LC-DPI-MS method was applied for non-targeted profiling of thiols from cancer samples. Compared to traditional full scan mode, the DPI method significantly improved identification selectivity and accuracy. 103 thiol candidates were discovered in all cancers and 6 thiols were identified by their standards. It is worth noting that pantetheine, for the first time, was identified in human urine. Secondly, the IL-LC-MRM-MS method was developed for relative quantification of thiols in cancers compared to healthy controls. All the MRM transitions of light and heavy labeled thiols were acquired from urines by using DPI method. Compared to DPI method, the sensitivity of MRM improved by 2.1-11.3 folds. In addition, the concentration of homocysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine and pantetheine enhanced more than two folds in cancer patients compared to healthy controls. Taken together, the method demonstrated to be a promising strategy for identification and comprehensive quantification of thiols in human urines.

  2. Determination of thiol metabolites in human urine by stable isotope labeling in combination with pseudo-targeted mass spectrometry analysis

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Ping; Qi, Chu-Bo; Zhu, Quan-Fei; Yuan, Bi-Feng; Feng, Yu-Qi

    2016-01-01

    Precursor ion scan and multiple reaction monitoring scan (MRM) are two typical scan modes in mass spectrometry analysis. Here, we developed a strategy by combining stable isotope labeling (IL) with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) under double precursor ion scan (DPI) and MRM for analysis of thiols in 5 types of human cancer urine. Firstly, the IL-LC-DPI-MS method was applied for non-targeted profiling of thiols from cancer samples. Compared to traditional full scan mode, the DPI method significantly improved identification selectivity and accuracy. 103 thiol candidates were discovered in all cancers and 6 thiols were identified by their standards. It is worth noting that pantetheine, for the first time, was identified in human urine. Secondly, the IL-LC-MRM-MS method was developed for relative quantification of thiols in cancers compared to healthy controls. All the MRM transitions of light and heavy labeled thiols were acquired from urines by using DPI method. Compared to DPI method, the sensitivity of MRM improved by 2.1–11.3 folds. In addition, the concentration of homocysteine, γ-glutamylcysteine and pantetheine enhanced more than two folds in cancer patients compared to healthy controls. Taken together, the method demonstrated to be a promising strategy for identification and comprehensive quantification of thiols in human urines. PMID:26888486

  3. Adsorptive removal of patulin from aqueous solution using thiourea modified chitosan resin.

    PubMed

    Liu, Bingjie; Peng, Xiaoning; Chen, Wei; Li, Yang; Meng, Xianghong; Wang, Dongfeng; Yu, Guangli

    2015-09-01

    In the present paper, thiourea modified chitosan resin (TMCR) was firstly prepared through converting hydroxyl groups of chitosan resin into thiol groups, using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent and thiourea as modification agent. TMCR was characterized by FTIR, EDXS, SEM, XRD and AFM technologies. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to study the adsorption capacity of TMCR for patulin at different pH, temperature, contact time and patulin concentration. The result showed that TMCR was effective in removal of patulin from aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity of TMCR for patulin was 1.0 mg/g at pH 4.0, 25 °C for 24 h. Adsorption process could be well described by pseudo-first order model, Freundlich isotherm model and intraparticle diffusion model. It indicated that TMCR is expected to be a new material for patulin adsorption from aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Formation of methemoglobin and phenoxyl radicals from p-hydroxyanisole and oxyhemoglobin.

    PubMed

    Stolze, K; Nohl, H

    1991-01-01

    The reaction of p-hydroxyanisole with oxyhemoglobin was investigated using electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) and visible spectroscopy. As a reactive reaction intermediate we found the p-methoxyphenoxyl radical, the one-electron oxidation product of p-hydroxyanisole. Detection of this species required the rapid flow device elucidating the instability of this radical intermediate. The second reaction product formed is methemoglobin. Catalase or SOD had no effect upon the reaction kinetics. Accordingly, reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals or superoxide could not be observed although the spin trapping agent DMPO was used to make these short-lived species detectable. When the sulfhydryl blocking agents N-ethylmaleimide or mersalyl acid were used, an increase of the methemoglobin formation rate and of the phenoxyl radical concentration were observed. We have interpreted this observation in terms of a side reaction of free radical intermediates with thiol groups.

  5. Green chemistry of carbon nanomaterials.

    PubMed

    Basiuk, Elena V; Basiuk, Vladimir A

    2014-01-01

    The global trend of looking for more ecologically friendly, "green" techniques manifested itself in the chemistry of carbon nanomaterials. The main principles of green chemistry emphasize how important it is to avoid the use, or at least to reduce the consumption, of organic solvents for a chemical process. And it is precisely this aspect that was systematically addressed and emphasized by our research group since the very beginning of our work on the chemistry of carbon nanomaterials in early 2000s. The present review focuses on the results obtained to date on solvent-free techniques for (mainly covalent) functionalization of fullerene C60, single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs and MWNTs, respectively), as well as nanodiamonds (NDs). We designed a series of simple and fast functionalization protocols based on thermally activated reactions with chemical compounds stable and volatile at 150-200 degrees C under reduced pressure, when not only the reactions take place at a high rate, but also excess reagents are spontaneously removed from the functionalized material, thus making its purification unnecessary. The main two classes of reagents are organic amines and thiols, including bifunctional ones, which can be used in conjunction with different forms of nanocarbons. The resulting chemical processes comprise nucleophilic addition of amines and thiols to fullerene C60 and to defect sites of pristine MWNTs, as well as direct amidation of carboxylic groups of oxidized nanotubes (mainly SWNTs) and ND. In the case of bifunctional amines and thiols, reactions of the second functional group can give rise to cross-linking effects, or be employed for further derivatization steps.

  6. N-acetylcysteine improves coronary and peripheral vascular function.

    PubMed

    Andrews, N P; Prasad, A; Quyyumi, A A

    2001-01-01

    We investigated whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a reduced thiol that modulates redox state and forms adducts of nitric oxide (NO), improves endothelium-dependent vasomotion. Coronary atherosclerosis is associated with endothelial dysfunction and reduced NO activity. In 16 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, seven with and nine without atherosclerosis, we assessed endothelium-dependent vasodilation with acetylcholine (ACH) and endothelium-independent vasodilation with nitroglycerin (NTG) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) before and after intracoronary NAC. In 14 patients femoral vascular responses to ACH, NTG and SNP were measured before and after NAC. Intraarterial NAC did not change resting coronary or peripheral vascular tone. N-acetylcysteine potentiated ACH-mediated coronary vasodilation; coronary blood flow was 36 +/- 11% higher (p < 0.02), and epicardial diameter changed from -1.2 +/- 2% constriction to 4.7 +/- 2% dilation after NAC (p = 0.03). Acetylcholine-mediated femoral vasodilation was similarly potentiated by NAC (p = 0.001). Augmentation of the ACH response was similar in patients with or without atherosclerosis. N-acetylcysteine did not affect NTG-mediated vasodilation in either the femoral or coronary circulations and did not alter SNP responses in the femoral circulation. In contrast, coronary vasodilation with SNP was significantly greater after NAC (p < 0.05). Thiol supplementation with NAC improves human coronary and peripheral endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Nitroglycerin responses are not enhanced, but SNP-mediated responses are potentiated only in the coronary circulation. These NO-enhancing effects of thiols reflect the importance of the redox state in the control of vascular function and may be of therapeutic benefit in treating acute and chronic manifestations of atherosclerosis.

  7. Mitochondria As the Target for the Modulatory Effect of Curcumin in Oxaliplatin-induced Toxicity in Isolated Rat Liver Mitochondria.

    PubMed

    Waseem, Mohammad; Parvez, Suhel; Tabassum, Heena

    2017-01-01

    To explore hepatoprotective action of curcumin (CMN, a bioflavonoid) on oxaliplatin (Oxa)-triggered mitochondrial oxidative stress and respiratory chain complexes in liver of rats. Oxa is a ubiquitously utilized platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent commonly used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Mitochondria have recently emerged as targets for anticancer drugs in several kinds of toxicity including hepatotoxicity that can lead to neoplastic disease. There is a dearth of evidence involving the role of mitochondria in mediating Oxa-evoked hepatotoxicity and its underlying mechanism is still debatable. The study was performed in mitochondria isolated from liver of Wistar rats. Oxa (200 μg/mL) and CMN (5 μmol) were incubated under in vitro conditions. Oxa evoked a significant increase in the membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, protein carbonyl (PC) contents, decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and nonprotein thiol (NP-SH) levels. Oxa also caused a marked decline in the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and respiratory chain enzymes (I, II, III and V) in liver mitochondria. CMN pre-treatment significantly prevented the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes. CMN also restored the LPO and PC contents, GSH and NP-SH levels in liver mitochondria. CMN intake might be effective in regulation of Oxa-evoked mitotoxicity during chemotherapy. Moreover, it is included in the armamentarium for anticancer agent-induced oxidative stress. Copyright © 2017 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Oxidative stress and decreased thiol level in patients with migraine: cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Eren, Yasemin; Dirik, Ebru; Neşelioğlu, Salim; Erel, Özcan

    2015-12-01

    Although migraine is a neurological disorder known since long, its physiopathology remains unclear. Recent studies suggest that migraine is associated with oxidative stress; however, they report divergent results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and serum thiol level in migraine patients with or without aura. The study group consisted of 141 migraine patients. The control group included 70 healthy subjects. TAS, TOS, OSI were evaluated using a method developed by Erel. Serum thiol level was measured using the Hu method. No difference was found in TAS, TOS, OSI between the patients and controls. The level of thiol was significantly lower in patients than in controls. Negative correlations were detected between thiol level and Migraine Disability Assessment score in patients. Although TAS, TOS, and OSI were similar to those of the control group, serum thiol level, an important marker of antioxidant capacity, was significantly lower in migraines compared with controls, and caused more serious disability. Novel treatment approaches may be developed based on these data, and compounds containing thiol, such as alpha lipoic acid and N-acetyl cysteine, may be used in prophylaxis.

  9. Stable isotope labeling-solid phase extraction-mass spectrometry analysis for profiling of thiols and aldehydes in beer.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Shu-Jian; Wang, Ya-Lan; Liu, Ping; Zhang, Zheng; Yu, Lei; Yuan, Bi-Feng; Feng, Yu-Qi

    2017-12-15

    In this study, we developed a strategy for profiling of thiols and aldehydes in beer samples by stable isotope labeling-solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-double precursor ion scan/double neutral loss scan-mass spectrometry analysis (SIL-SPE-LC-DPIS/DNLS-MS). A pair of isotope reagents (ω-bromoacetonylquinolinium bromide, BQB; ω-bromoacetonylquinolinium-d 7 bromide, BQB-d 7 ) were used to label thiols; while for the aldehydes, a pair of isotope reagents (4-(2-(trimethylammonio) ethoxy) benzenaminium halide, 4-APC; 4-(2-(trimethylammonio) ethoxy) benzenaminium halide-d 4 , 4-APC-d 4 ) were used. The labeled thiols and aldehydes were extracted and purified with solid-phase extraction, respectively, followed by LC-MS analysis. Using the proposed SIL-SPE-LC-DPIS/DNLS-MS methods, 76 thiol and 25 aldehyde candidates were found in beer. Furthermore, we established SIL-SPE-LC-MRM-MS methods for the relative quantitation of thiols and aldehydes in different beer samples. The results showed that the contents of thiols and aldehydes are closely related to the brands and origins of beers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Degradable Networks Containing Silyl Ether Bonds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bassampour, Zahra S.

    Degradable networks possess applications in many fields such as medical implants, electrical devices, industrial coatings, adhesives, and aerospace. Silyl ether bonds are reactive functionalities capable of degrading under physiological condition without significantly affecting the pH of the surrounding environment. This dissertation focuses on preparative methods of degradable networks utilizing silyl ether functionalities. Epoxy polymers are broadly utilized in many different applications. Despite the broad utilization of epoxy polymer thermosets in long-term applications, these thermosets are not very popular candidates in short-term applications. This unpopularity is mostly due to the fact that epoxy networks are non-degradable systems, which results in their recycling being very costly and environmentally unfriendly. In the first and second part of this dissertation, the synthesis of various amine and thiol curing agents containing hydrolyzable silyl ether bonds is described. Using these curing agents, thermosetting epoxy polymers with degradable properties were prepared. The degradation behavior and thermal properties of the cured networks were studied. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in the industrialized world. The high prevalence of AMD and the complications and shortcomings of available treatment options give rise to a great need for the development of novel types of biodegradable implants to provide sustainable drug release. The third part of this dissertation describes the utilization of hydrolyzable silyl ether bonds in the synthesis of novel implants capable of reserving and releasing a drug in a controlled manner in order to treat AMD. Base- catalyzed thiol-Michael reactions were exploited to prepare a series of biodegradable cross- linked networks. The networks were characterized by FTIR, TGA, and DMA. The effect of monomer structure on degradation, release behavior, and thermal properties was investigated.

  11. Modeling the chelation of As(III) in lewisite by dithiols using density functional theory and solvent-assisted proton exchange.

    PubMed

    Harper, Lenora K; Bayse, Craig A

    2015-12-01

    Dithiols such as British anti-lewisite (BAL, rac-2,3-dimercaptopropanol) are an important class of antidotes for the blister agent lewisite (trans-2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine) and, more generally, are chelating agents for arsenic and other toxic metals. The reaction of the vicinal thiols of BAL with lewisite through the chelation of the As(III) center has been modeled using density functional theory (DFT) and solvent-assisted proton exchange (SAPE), a microsolvation method that uses a network of water molecules to mimic the role of bulk solvent in models of aqueous phase chemical reactions. The small activation barriers for the stepwise SN2-type nucleophilic attack of BAL on lewisite (0.7-4.9kcal/mol) are consistent with the favorable leaving group properties of the chloride and the affinity of As(III) for soft sulfur nucleophiles. Small, but insignificant, differences in activation barriers were found for the initial attack of the primary versus secondary thiol of BAL and the R vs S enantiomer. An examination of the relative stability of various dithiol-lewisite complexes shows that ethanedithiols like BAL form the most favorable chelation complexes because the angles formed in five-membered ring are most consistent with the hybridization of As(III). More obtuse S-As-S angles are required for larger chelate rings, but internal As⋯N or As⋯O interactions can enhance the stability of moderate-sized rings. The low barriers for lewisite detoxification by BAL and the greater stability of the chelation complexes of small dithiols are consistent with the rapid reversal of toxicity demonstrated in previously reported animal models. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Gold nanorods coupled with upconverting nanophosphors for targeted thermal ablation and imaging of bladder cancer cells (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cho, Suehyun K.; Su, Lih-Jen; Flaig, Thomas W.; Park, Wounjhang

    2016-09-01

    NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconverting nanophosphors (UCNPs) are robust and stable nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared (NIR) photons and emit green and red visible photons through energy transfer upconversion. This mechanism provides UCNPs several advantages as a bioimaging agent over traditional fluorescence imaging agent in that NIR excitation allows high-contrast imaging without autofluorescence and that they can be used for deep-tissue imaging. However, additional surface modification of UCNPs is necessary for them to be biocompatible. We use an amphiphilic polymer (poly(maleic anhydride-alt-octadecene) (PMAO) and a hetero-functional polyethylene glycol with amine and thiol ends (NH2-PEG-SH)) to make the UCNPs water-soluble. This reaction yields a carboxylic group that allows functionalization with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (aEGFR), which provides specific binding of UCNPs to EGFR-expressing bladder cancer cells. Additionally, the thiol ends of the PEGylated UCNPs are able to bind with gold nanorods (AuNRs) to create UCNP-AuNR complexes. The localized surface plasmon of the AuNR then allow localized heating of HTB9 bladder cancer cells, enabling in situ cell killing upon detection by UCNP fluorescence. Here, we report a successful synthesis, surface modification and conjugation of aEGFR functionalized UCNP-AuNR complexes and in vitro imaging and thermal ablation studies using them. Synthesis and surface modification of UCNP-AuNR complexes are confirmed by electron microscopy. Then, a combination of brightfield, NIR confocal fluorescence, and darkfield microscopy on the UCNP-AuNR treated bladder cancer cells revealed successful cancer targeting and imaging capabilities of the complex. Finally, cell viability assay showed that NIR irradiation of UCNP-AuNR conjugated cells resulted highly selective cell killing.

  13. Vimang (Mangifera indica L. extract) induces permeability transition in isolated mitochondria, closely reproducing the effect of mangiferin, Vimang's main component.

    PubMed

    Pardo-Andreu, Gilberto L; Dorta, Daniel Junqueira; Delgado, René; Cavalheiro, Renata A; Santos, Antonio C; Vercesi, Anibal E; Curti, Carlos

    2006-02-01

    Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a Ca(2+)-dependent, cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive, non-selective inner membrane permeabilization process. It is often associated with apoptotic cell death, and is induced by a wide range of agents or conditions, usually involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we demonstrated that Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang), in the presence of 20 microM Ca(2+), induces MPT in isolated rat liver mitochondria, assessed as CsA-sensitive mitochondrial swelling, closely reproducing the same effect of mangiferin, the main component of the extract, as well as MPT-linked processes like oxidation of membrane protein thiols, mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and Ca(2+) release from organelles. The flavonoid catechin, the second main component of Vimang, also induces MPT, although to a lesser extent; the minor, but still representative Vimang extract components, gallic and benzoic acids, show respectively, low and high MPT inducing abilities. Nevertheless, following exposure to H(2)O(2)/horseradish peroxidase, the visible spectra of these compounds does not present the same changes previously reported for mangiferin. It is concluded that Vimang-induced MPT closely reproduces mangiferin effects, and proposed that this xanthone is the main agent responsible for the extract's MPT inducing ability, by the action on mitochondrial membrane protein thiols of products arising as a consequence of the mangiferin's antioxidant activity. While this effect would oppose the beneficial effect of Vimang's antioxidant activity, it could nevertheless benefit cells exposed to over-production of ROS as occurring in cancer cells, in which triggering of MPT-mediated apoptosis may represent an important defense mechanism to their host.

  14. Inactivation of Penicillins by Thiol Broth

    PubMed Central

    Murray, Patrick R.; Niles, Ann C.

    1982-01-01

    Thiol broth with sodium polyanetholesulfonate inactivated penicillin G, carbenicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, and gentamicin, but had no effect on cephalothin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Only Thiol broth was capable of this inactivation, which was not influenced by the presence of blood. PMID:7153352

  15. Development of reliable analytical tools for evaluating the influence of reductive winemaking on the quality of Lugana wines.

    PubMed

    Mattivi, Fulvio; Fedrizzi, Bruno; Zenato, Alberto; Tiefenthaler, Paolo; Tempesta, Silvano; Perenzoni, Daniele; Cantarella, Paolo; Simeoni, Federico; Vrhovsek, Urska

    2012-06-30

    This paper presents methods for the definition of important analytical tools, such as the development of sensitive and rapid methods for analysing reduced and oxidised glutathione (GSH and GSSG), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), bound thiols (GSH-3MH and Cys-3MH) and free thiols (3MH and 3MHA), and their first application to evaluate the effect of reductive winemaking on the composition of Lugana juices and wines. Lugana is a traditional white wine from the Lake Garda region (Italy), produced using a local grape variety, Trebbiano di Lugana. An innovative winemaking procedure based on preliminary cooling of grape berries followed by crushing in an inert environment was implemented and explored on a winery scale. The effects of these procedures on hydroxycinnamic acids, GSH, GSSG, free and bound thiols and flavanols content were investigated. The juices and wines produced using different protocols were examined. Moreover, wines aged in tanks for 1, 2 and 3 months were analysed. The high level of GSH found in Lugana grapes, which can act as a natural antioxidant and be preserved in must and young wines, thus reducing the need of exogenous antioxidants, was particularly interesting. Moreover, it was clear that polyphenol concentrations (hydroxycinnamic acids and catechins) were strongly influenced by winemaking and pressing conditions, which required fine tuning of pressing. Above-threshold levels of 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3MH) and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA) were found in the wines and changed according to the winemaking procedure applied. Interestingly, the evolution during the first three months also varied depending on the procedure adopted. Organic synthesis of cysteine and glutathione conjugates was carried out and juices and wines were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis. These two molecules appeared to be strongly affected by the winemaking procedure, but did not show any significant change during the first 3 months of post-bottling ageing. This supports the theory, already proposed in the literature, that there are other synthetic pathways for free thiol formation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Redox mediators in visible light photocatalysis: photocatalytic radical thiol-ene additions.

    PubMed

    Tyson, Elizabeth L; Niemeyer, Zachary L; Yoon, Tehshik P

    2014-02-07

    Synthetically useful radical thiol-ene reactions can be initiated by visible light irradiation in the presence of transition metal polypyridyl photocatalysts. The success of this method relies upon the use of p-toluidine as an essential additive. Using these conditions, high-yielding thiol-ene reactions of cysteine-containing biomolecules can be accomplished using biocompatibile wavelengths of visible light, under aqueous conditions, and with the thiol component as the limiting reagent. We present evidence that p-toluidine serves as a redox mediator that is capable of catalyzing the otherwise inefficient photooxidation of thiols to the key thiyl radical intermediate. Thus, we show that co-catalytic oxidants can be important in the design of synthetic reactions involving visible light photoredox catalysis.

  17. Selective chromogenic detection of thiol-containing biomolecules using carbonaceous nanospheres loaded with silver nanoparticles as carrier.

    PubMed

    Hu, Bo; Zhao, Yang; Zhu, Hai-Zhou; Yu, Shu-Hong

    2011-04-26

    Thiol-containing biomolecules show strong affinity with noble metal nanostructures and could not only stably protect them but also control the self-assembly process of these special nanostructures. A highly selective and sensitive chromogenic detection method has been designed for the low and high molecular weight thiol-containing biomolecules, including cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, and bovine serum albumin, using a new type of carbonaceous nanospheres loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as carrier. This strategy relies upon the place-exchange process between the reporter dyes on the surface of Ag NPs and the thiol groups of thiol-containing biomolecules. The concentration of biomolecules can be determined by monitoring with the fluorescence intensity of reporter dyes dispersed in solution. This new chromogenic assay method could selectively detect these biomolecules in the presence of various other amino acids and monosaccharides and even sensitively detect the thiol-containing biomolecules with different molecular weight, even including proteins.

  18. Heavy metal ion removal by thiol functionalized aluminum oxide hydroxide nanowhiskers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xia, Zhiyong; Baird, Lance; Zimmerman, Natasha; Yeager, Matthew

    2017-09-01

    In this study, we developed a cost effective method of using thiol functionalized γ-aluminum oxide hydroxide (γ-AlOOH) filters for removing three key heavy metals from water: mercury, lead, and cadmium under non-concomitant conditions. Compared to non-thiol treated γ-AlOOH filters, the introduction of thiol functional groups greatly improved the heavy metal removal efficiency under both static and dynamic filtration conditions. The adsorption kinetics of thiol functionalized γ-AlOOH were investigated using the Lagergren first order and pseudo-second order kinetics models; whereas the isothermal adsorption behavior of these membranes was revealed through the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Heavy metal concentration was quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy, and the thiol level on γ-AlOOH surface was measured by a colorimetric assay using Ellman's reagent. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to further address the surface sulfur state on the membranes after heavy metal exposure. Mechanisms for heavy metal adsorption were also discussed.

  19. Cathepsin S-cleavable, multi-block HPMA copolymers for improved SPECT/CT imaging of pancreatic cancer.

    PubMed

    Fan, Wei; Shi, Wen; Zhang, Wenting; Jia, Yinnong; Zhou, Zhengyuan; Brusnahan, Susan K; Garrison, Jered C

    2016-10-01

    This work continues our efforts to improve the diagnostic and radiotherapeutic effectiveness of nanomedicine platforms by developing approaches to reduce the non-target accumulation of these agents. Herein, we developed multi-block HPMA copolymers with backbones that are susceptible to cleavage by cathepsin S, a protease that is abundantly expressed in tissues of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Specifically, a bis-thiol terminated HPMA telechelic copolymer containing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Three maleimide modified linkers with different sequences, including cathepsin S degradable oligopeptide, scramble oligopeptide and oligo ethylene glycol, were subsequently synthesized and used for the extension of the HPMA copolymers by thiol-maleimide click chemistry. All multi-block HPMA copolymers could be labeled by (177)Lu with high labeling efficiency and exhibited high serum stability. In vitro cleavage studies demonstrated highly selective and efficient cathepsin S mediated cleavage of the cathepsin S-susceptible multi-block HPMA copolymer. A modified multi-block HPMA copolymer series capable of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) was utilized to investigate the rate of cleavage of the multi-block HPMA copolymers in monocyte-derived macrophages. Confocal imaging and flow cytometry studies revealed substantially higher rates of cleavage for the multi-block HPMA copolymers containing the cathepsin S-susceptible linker. The efficacy of the cathepsin S-cleavable multi-block HPMA copolymer was further examined using an in vivo model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Based on the biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies, the copolymer extended with the cathepsin S susceptible linker exhibited significantly faster clearance and lower non-target retention without compromising tumor targeting. Overall, these results indicate that exploitation of the cathepsin S activity in MPS tissues can be utilized to substantially lower non-target accumulation, suggesting this is a promising approach for the development of diagnostic and radiotherapeutic nanomedicine platforms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Detoxification of Atrazine by Low Molecular Weight Thiols in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jing Jing; Xu, Jiang Yan; Lu, Feng Fan; Jin, She Feng; Yang, Hong

    2017-10-16

    Low molecular weight (LMW) thiols in higher plants are a group of sulfur-rich nonprotein compounds and play primary and multiple roles in cellular redox homeostasis, enzyme activities, and xenobiotics detoxification. This study focused on identifying thiols-related protein genes from the legume alfalfa exposed to the herbicide atrazine (ATZ) residues in environment. Using high-throughput RNA-sequencing, a set of ATZ-responsive thiols-related protein genes highly up-regulated and differentially expressed in alfalfa was identified. Most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in regulation of biotic and abiotic stress responses. By analyzing the genes involved in thiols-mediated redox homeostasis, we found that many of them were thiols-synthetic enzymes such as γ-glutamylcysteine synthase (γECS), homoglutathione synthetase (hGSHS), and glutathione synthetase (GSHS). Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we further characterized a group of ATZ-thiols conjugates, which are the detoxified forms of ATZ in plants. Cysteine S-conjugate ATZ-HCl+Cys was the most important metabolite detected by MS. Several other ATZ-conjugates were also examined as ATZ-detoxified metabolites. Such results were validated by characterizing their analogs in rice. Our data showed that some conjugates under ATZ stress were detected in both plants, indicating that some detoxified mechanisms and pathways can be shared by the two plant species. Overall, these results indicate that LMW thiols play critical roles in detoxification of ATZ in the plants.

  1. Intact protein folding in the glutathione-depleted endoplasmic reticulum implicates alternative protein thiol reductants

    PubMed Central

    Tsunoda, Satoshi; Avezov, Edward; Zyryanova, Alisa; Konno, Tasuku; Mendes-Silva, Leonardo; Pinho Melo, Eduardo; Harding, Heather P; Ron, David

    2014-01-01

    Protein folding homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) requires efficient protein thiol oxidation, but also relies on a parallel reductive process to edit disulfides during the maturation or degradation of secreted proteins. To critically examine the widely held assumption that reduced ER glutathione fuels disulfide reduction, we expressed a modified form of a cytosolic glutathione-degrading enzyme, ChaC1, in the ER lumen. ChaC1CtoS purged the ER of glutathione eliciting the expected kinetic defect in oxidation of an ER-localized glutathione-coupled Grx1-roGFP2 optical probe, but had no effect on the disulfide editing-dependent maturation of the LDL receptor or the reduction-dependent degradation of misfolded alpha-1 antitrypsin. Furthermore, glutathione depletion had no measurable effect on induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR); a sensitive measure of ER protein folding homeostasis. These findings challenge the importance of reduced ER glutathione and suggest the existence of alternative electron donor(s) that maintain the reductive capacity of the ER. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03421.001 PMID:25073928

  2. [Physico-chemical features of dinitrosyl iron complexes with natural thiol-containing ligands underlying biological activities of these complexes].

    PubMed

    Vanin, A F; Borodulin, R R; Kubrina, L N; Mikoian, V D; Burbaev, D Sh

    2013-01-01

    Current notions and new experimental data of the authors on physico-chemical features of dinitrosyl iron complexes with natural thiol-containing ligands (glutathione or cysteine), underlying the ability of the complexes to act as NO molecule and nitrosonium ion donors, are considered. This ability determines various biological activities of dinitrosyl iron complexes--inducing long-lasting vasodilation and thereby long-lasting hypotension in human and animals, inhibiting pellet aggregation, increasing red blood cell elasticity, thereby stimulating microcirculation, and reducing necrotic zone in animals with myocardial infarction. Moreover, dinitrosyl iron complexes are capable of accelerating skin wound healing, improving the function of penile cavernous tissue, blocking apoptosis development in cell cultures. When decomposed dinitrosyl iron complexes can exert cytotoxic effect that can be used for curing infectious and carcinogenic pathologies.

  3. Thiol biochemistry of prokaryotes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, Robert C.

    1986-01-01

    The present studies have shown that GSH metabolism arose in the purple bacteria and cyanobacteria where it functions to protect against oxygen toxicity. Evidence was obtained indicating that GSH metabolism was incorporated into eucaryotes via the endosymbiosis giving rise to mitochrondria and chloroplasts. Aerobic bacteria lacking GSH utilize other thiols for apparently similar functions, the thiol being coenzyme A in Gram positive bacteria and chi-glutamylcysteine in the halobacteria. The thiol biochemistry of prokaryotes is thus seen to be much more highly diversified than that of eucaryotes and much remains to be learned about this subject.

  4. Au-thiol interaction chemistry to influence the structural transformation of semiconductor nanocrystals and formation of giant nanostructures.

    PubMed

    Bose, Riya; Manna, Goutam; Pradhan, Narayan

    2014-04-09

    Giant nanostructures which are difficult to design by the classical growth process can be fabricated in a facilitated and well programmed surface ligand removal protocol employing the thiol-gold strong interaction chemistry. When thiol capped small ZnSe seed nanocrystals are treated with amine capped gold particles, gold snatches the thiol ligands from ZnSe and forces them to agglomerate leading to the giant crystalline ZnSe nanostructures. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. Nitroolefin-based BODIPY as a novel water-soluble ratiometric fluorescent probe for detection of endogenous thiols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kang, Jin; Huo, Fangjun; Chao, Jianbin; Yin, Caixia

    2018-04-01

    Small molecule biothiols, including cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), play many crucial roles in physiological processes. In this work, we have prepared a nitroolefin-based BODIPY fluorescent probe with excellent water solubility for detection thiols, which displayed ratiometric fluorescent signal for thiols. Incorporation of a nitroolefin unit to the BODIPY dye would transform it into a strong Michael acceptor, which would be highly susceptible to sulfhydryl nucleophiles. This probe shows an obvious ratio change upon response with thiols, an increase of the emission at 517 nm along with a concomitant decrease of fluorescence peak at 573 nm. Moreover, these successes of intracellular imaging experiments in A549 cells indicated that this probe is suitable for imaging of ex-/endogenous thiols in living cells.

  6. Soft-lithography fabrication of microfluidic features using thiol-ene formulations.

    PubMed

    Ashley, John F; Cramer, Neil B; Davis, Robert H; Bowman, Christopher N

    2011-08-21

    In this work, a novel thiol-ene based photopolymerizable resin formulation was shown to exhibit highly desirable characteristics, such as low cure time and the ability to overcome oxygen inhibition, for the photolithographic fabrication of microfluidic devices. The feature fidelity, as well as various aspects of the feature shape and quality, were assessed as functions of various resin attributes, particularly the exposure conditions, initiator concentration and inhibitor to initiator ratio. An optical technique was utilized to evaluate the feature fidelity as well as the feature shape and quality. These results were used to optimize the thiol-ene resin formulation to produce high fidelity, high aspect ratio features without significant reductions in feature quality. For structures with aspect ratios below 2, little difference (<3%) in feature quality was observed between thiol-ene and acrylate based formulations. However, at higher aspect ratios, the thiol-ene resin exhibited significantly improved feature quality. At an aspect ratio of 8, raised feature quality for the thiol-ene resin was dramatically better than that achieved by using the acrylate resin. The use of the thiol-ene based resin enabled fabrication of a pinched-flow microfluidic device that has complex channel geometry, small (50 μm) channel dimensions, and high aspect ratio (14) features. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

  7. Short communication: characterization of soluble thiols in bovine milk.

    PubMed

    Niero, G; De Marchi, M; Masi, A; Penasa, M; Cassandro, M

    2015-09-01

    Antioxidants are molecules essential for the maintenance of cell homeostasis and their intake through the diet has positive effects on human health. Among antioxidants, low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols represent an important class of compounds. The aim of this study was to identify LMW thiols in bovine milk. A total of 96 individual milk samples from Brown Swiss, Holstein-Friesian, Alpine Grey, and Simmental cattle breeds were collected in 8 herds. The LMW thiols were extracted from the soluble fraction of milk and, following a derivatization protocol, they were separated by reverse phase HPLC and detected fluorimetrically. Six thiol species were detected and 2, glutathione (GSH) and cysteine-glycine (Cys-Gly), were identified and quantified. Regardless of the breed, the average concentration of Cys-Gly in milk was greater than that of GSH. Overall, milk from dual-purpose breeds (Simmental and Alpine Grey) was richer in LMW thiols than milk from dairy cows (Holstein-Friesian and Brown Swiss). Glutathione and Cys-Gly, closely linked metabolically, were strongly correlated. Pearson correlations of Cys-Gly with protein and casein contents were moderately low, and no relationship was found between GSH and milk chemical composition. Future research should focus on the identification of all detected LMW thiol species. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Induction of apoptosis in human T-cells by methyl mercury: temporal relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of reductive reserve.

    PubMed

    Shenker, B J; Guo, T L; O, I; Shapiro, I M

    1999-05-15

    The objective of our study was to define the mechanism by which MeHgCl induces human T-cell apoptosis. We asked the question: does mercury disrupt the Deltapsim and induce a mitochondrial permeability transition state? Using two fluorescent reagents, JC-1 and DiOC6(3), we demonstrated that MeHgCl exposure resulted in a decrease in the Deltapsim. Since a decline in Deltapsim can disturb the pHi, we employed SNARF-1 to assess pHi; results indicate that mercury treatment reduced the pHi from 7.0 to 6.5. Consistent with these observations, we noted that uncoupled electron transfer reactions generated ROS, while cardiolipin, a mitochondrial phospholipid, was oxidized. In concert with the biochemical changes, there was a decrease in overall dimension of the mitochondria of mercury-treated cells and a loss in cristae architecture. The toxicant also depleted the thiol reserves of the cell and promoted translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol. Furthermore, when T cells were thiol-depleted, there was increased susceptibility to MeHgCl-induced apoptosis. Finally, we established a temporal relationship between the decline in Deltapsim, generation of ROS, and depletion of thiol reserves. The earliest detectable event was at the level of the mitochondrion; in the presence of MeHgCl there was a profound reduction in mitochondrial Deltapsim and a decline in GSH levels within 1 h. Subsequently, a further decrease in thiol reserves was linked to the generation of ROS. We propose that the target organelle for MeHgCl is the mitochondrion and that induction of oxidative stress leads to activation of death-signaling pathways. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  9. Evidence for function of the ferredoxin/thioredoxin system in the reductive activation of target enzymes of isolated intact chloroplasts.

    PubMed

    Crawford, N A; Droux, M; Kosower, N S; Buchanan, B B

    1989-05-15

    Results obtained with isolated intact chloroplasts maintained aerobically under light and dark conditions confirm earlier findings with reconstituted enzyme assays and indicate that the ferredoxin/thioredoxin system functions as a light-mediated regulatory thiol chain. The results were obtained by application of a newly devised procedure in which a membrane-permeable thiol labeling reagent, monobromobimane (mBBr), reacts with sulfhydryl groups and renders the derivatized protein fluorescent. The mBBr-labeled protein in question is isolated individually from chloroplasts by immunoprecipitation and its thiol redox status is determined quantitatively by combining sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorescence measurements. The findings indicate that each member of the ferredoxin/thioredoxin system containing a catalytically active thiol group is reduced in isolated intact chloroplasts after a 2-min illumination. The extents of reduction were FTR, 38%; thioredoxin m, 75% (11-kDa form) and 87% (13-kDa form); thioredoxin f, 95%. Reduction of each of these components was negligible both in the dark and when chloroplasts were transferred from light to dark conditions. The target enzyme, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, also underwent net reduction in illuminated intact chloroplasts. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase showed increased mBBr labeling under these conditions, but due to interfering gamma globulin proteins it was not possible to determine whether this was a result of net reduction as is known to take place in reconstituted assays. Related experiments demonstrated that mBBr, as well as N-ethylmaleimide, stabilized photoactivated NADP-malate dehydrogenase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase so that they remained active in the dark. By contrast, phosphoribulokinase, another thioredoxin-linked enzyme, was immediately deactivated following mBBr addition. These latter results provide new information on the relation between the regulatory and active sites of these enzymes.

  10. Bisphosphonate-coated BSA nanoparticles lack bone targeting after systemic administration.

    PubMed

    Wang, Guilin; Kucharski, Cezary; Lin, Xiaoyue; Uludağ, Hasan

    2010-09-01

    A polymeric conjugate of polyethyleneimine-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) and 2-(3-mercaptopropylsulfanyl)-ethyl-1,1-bisphosphonic acid (PEI-PEG-thiolBP) was prepared and used for surface coating of bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles (NPs) designed for bone-specific delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The NP coating was achieved with a dialysis and an evaporation method, and the obtained NPs were characterized by particle size, zeta-potential, morphology, and cytotoxicity in vitro. The particle size and surface charge of the NPs could be effectively tuned by the PEG and thiolBP substitution ratios of the conjugate, the coating method, and the polymer concentration used for coating. The PEG modification on PEI reduced the toxicity of PEI and the coated NPs, based on in vitro assessment with human C2C12 cells and rat bone marrow stromal cells. On the basis of an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction assay, the NP-encapsulated BMP-2 displayed full retention of its bioactivity, except for BMP-2 in PEI-coated NPs. By encapsulating (125)I-labeled BMP-2, the polymer-coated NPs were assessed for hydroxyapatite (HA) affinity; all NP-encapsulated BMP-2 showed significant affinity to HA as compared with free BMP-2 in vitro, and the PEI-PEG-thiolBP coated NPs improved the in vivo retention of BMP-2 compared with uncoated NPs. However, the biodistribution of NPs after intravenous injection in a rat model indicated no beneficial effects of thiolBP-coated NPs for bone targeting. Our results suggested that the BP-conjugated NPs are useful for localized delivery of BMP-2 in bone repair and regeneration, but they are not effective for bone targeting after intravenous administration.

  11. Reduced antioxidant capacity and increased subclinical inflammation markers in prepubescent obese children and their relationship with nutritional markers and metabolic parameters.

    PubMed

    Vehapoglu, Aysel; Turkmen, Serdar; Goknar, Nilufer; Özer, Ömer Faruk

    2016-11-01

    There are associations between some inflammatory and oxidative markers and obesity in adults, but whether prepubescent children of different weights also have such markers has not been studied. We investigated multiple inflammatory markers and levels of erythrocyte oxidant/antioxidant enzymes in prepubescent children of different weights. Children aged 2-11 years were divided into three groups: 80 were underweight, 90 were obese but otherwise healthy, and 80 were healthy age- and sex-matched children of normal-weight. We analyzed inflammatory markers and the total oxidant status, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total thiol level were also determined, and the oxidative stress index was calculated as an indicator of the degree of oxidative stress. The obese group exhibited higher levels of fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as well as lower TAS and total thiol levels than the other two groups (all P < 0.001). Moreover, TAS and total thiols were negatively correlated with age in the obese group (r = -0.212, P = 0.001; r = -0.231, P < 0.001, respectively). CRP levels in plasma were positively correlated with the body mass index (BMI), insulin and glucose levels, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, WBC and neutrophil counts, and the NLR, and were negatively correlated with TAS and total thiol levels in the overall studied population. The coexistence of increased obesity-related subclinical inflammation and decreased antioxidant capacity can be observed even in prepubescence, and may eventually increase the risk of long-term vascular damage.

  12. Real-time Kinetics of High-mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Oxidation in Extracellular Fluids Studied by in Situ Protein NMR Spectroscopy*

    PubMed Central

    Zandarashvili, Levani; Sahu, Debashish; Lee, Kwanbok; Lee, Yong Sun; Singh, Pomila; Rajarathnam, Krishna; Iwahara, Junji

    2013-01-01

    Some extracellular proteins are initially secreted in reduced forms via a non-canonical pathway bypassing the endoplasmic reticulum and become oxidized in the extracellular space. One such protein is HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1). Extracellular HMGB1 has different redox states that play distinct roles in inflammation. Using a unique NMR-based approach, we have investigated the kinetics of HMGB1 oxidation and the half-lives of all-thiol and disulfide HMGB1 species in serum, saliva, and cell culture medium. In this approach, salt-free lyophilized 15N-labeled all-thiol HMGB1 was dissolved in actual extracellular fluids, and the oxidation and clearance kinetics were monitored in situ by recording a series of heteronuclear 1H-15N correlation spectra. We found that the half-life depends significantly on the extracellular environment. For example, the half-life of all-thiol HMGB1 ranged from ∼17 min (in human serum and saliva) to 3 h (in prostate cancer cell culture medium). Furthermore, the binding of ligands (glycyrrhizin and heparin) to HMGB1 significantly modulated the oxidation kinetics. Thus, the balance between the roles of all-thiol and disulfide HMGB1 proteins depends significantly on the extracellular environment and can also be artificially modulated by ligands. This is important because extracellular HMGB1 has been suggested as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Our work demonstrates that the in situ protein NMR approach is powerful for investigating the behavior of proteins in actual extracellular fluids containing an enormous number of different molecules. PMID:23447529

  13. Subchronic effects of methylmercury on plasma and organ biochemistries in great egret nestlings

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hoffman, D.J.; Spalding, M.G.; Frederick, P.C.

    2005-01-01

    In recent years, high concentrations of mercury have been found in wading birds in Florida, USA. Great egret (Ardea alba) chicks (2 weeks old) were dosed orally daily with the equivalent of 0, 0.5, or 5 ug/g Hg as methylmercury chloride in the diet for up to 12 weeks. Weakness of the legs or paralysis occurred in all high-dosed birds. Geometric mean blood Hg concentrations were 0.17, 10.3, and 78.5 ug/g (wet wt), respectively. Mercury concentrations for organs (ug/g wet wt), including brain (0.22, 3.4, and 35, respectively), liver (0.34, 15.1, 138, respectively), and kidney (0.28, 8.1, and 120, respectively), increased in a dose-dependent manner. Total glutathione (GSH) peroxidase activity was significantly lower in the plasma, brain, liver, and kidney of the high-dosed group. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity increased with mercury treatment, whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased. Four other plasma chemistries were decreased significantly in the high-dosed group and included uric acid, total protein, albumin, and inorganic phosphorus. Lipid peroxidation increased in liver (low and high dose) and brain (high dose). Tissue changes in concentrations of reduced thiols included decreased total thiols and protein-bound thiols in liver, decreased protein-bound thiols in kidney, and increased GSH in kidney and brain. Activities of GSH S-transferase and oxidized glutathione reductase increased in liver. In kidney, GSH S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities increased with mercury dose. These findings, including apparent compensatory changes, are compared to other Hg studies where oxidative stress was reported in egrets, herons, and diving ducks in the field and mallards in the laboratory.

  14. Sulphate, more than a nutrient, protects the microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii from cadmium toxicity.

    PubMed

    Mera, Roi; Torres, Enrique; Abalde, Julio

    2014-03-01

    Sulphur is an essential macroelement that plays important roles in living organisms. The thiol rich sulphur compounds, such as cysteine, γ-Glu-Cys, glutathione and phytochelatins participate in the tolerance mechanisms against cadmium toxicity. Plants, algae, yeasts and most prokaryotes cover their demand for reduced sulphur by reduction of inorganic sulphate. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a bifactorial experimental design, the effect of different sulphate concentrations in the nutrient solution on cadmium toxicity in the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii. Cell growth, kinetic parameters of sulphate utilization and intracellular concentrations of low-molecular mass thiol compounds were determined. A mathematical model to describe the growth of this microalga based on the effects of sulphate and cadmium was obtained. An ANOVA revealed an interaction between them, 16% of the effect sizes was explained by this interaction. A higher amount of sulphate in the culture medium allowed a higher cadmium tolerance due to an increase in the thiol compound biosynthesis. The amount of low-molecular mass thiol compounds, mainly phytochelatins, synthesized by this microalga was significantly dependent on the sulphate and cadmium concentrations; the higher phytochelatin content was obtained in cultures with 4 mg Cd/L and 1mM sulphate. The maximum EC50 value (based on nominal cadmium concentration) reached for this microalga was 4.46 ± 0.42 mg Cd/L when the sulphate concentration added to the culture medium was also 1mM. An increase in the sulphate concentration, in deficient environments, could alleviate the toxic effect of this metal; however, a relative excess is also negative. The results obtained showed a substrate inhibition for this nutrient. An uncompetitive model for sulphate was chosen to establish the mathematical model that links both factors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Gold nanoparticles with different capping systems: an electronic and structural XAS analysis.

    PubMed

    López-Cartes, C; Rojas, T C; Litrán, R; Martínez-Martínez, D; de la Fuente, J M; Penadés, S; Fernández, A

    2005-05-12

    Gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared with three different capping systems: a tetralkylammonium salt, an alkanethiol, and a thiol-derivatized neoglycoconjugate. Also gold NPs supported on a porous TiO(2) substrate have been investigated. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to determine the electronic behavior of the different capped/supported systems regarding the electron/hole density of d states. Surface and size effects, as well as the role of the microstructure, have been also studied through an exhaustive analysis of the EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) data. Very small gold NPs functionalized with thiol-derivatized molecules show an increase in d-hole density at the gold site due to Au-S charge transfer. This effect is overcoming size effects (which lead to a slightly increase of the d-electron density) for high S:Au atomic ratios and core-shell microstructures where an atomically abrupt Au-S interface likely does not exist. It has been also shown that thiol functionalization of very small gold NPs is introducing a strong distortion as compared to fcc order. To the contrary, electron transfer from reduced support oxides to gold NPs can produce a higher increase in d-electron density at the gold site, as compared to naked gold clusters.

  16. Withaferin A induces apoptosis through the generation of thiol oxidation in human head and neck cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Park, Jong Won; Min, Kyoung-Jin; Kim, Dong Eun; Kwon, Taeg Kyu

    2015-01-01

    Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone purified from the Indian medicinal plant, Withania somnifera. Withaferin A has been shown to inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, invasion and angiogenesis of cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated whether withaferin A induces apoptosis in the human head and neck cancer cells, AMC-HN4. Withaferin A markedly increased the sub-G1 cell population and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which are markers of apoptosis. Pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk (z-VAD), markedly inhibited the withaferin A-induced apoptosis. However, the withaferin A-induced increase in the expression of COX-2 was not affected by treatment with z-VAD. Furthermore, withaferin A upregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, reduced the withaferin A-induced production of prostaglandin E2. However, treatment with NS-398 did not affect the sub-G1 population and the cleavage of PARP. In addition, the withaferin A-induced apoptosis was independent of reactive oxygen species production. Thiol donors [N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and dithiothreitol (DTT)] reversed withaferin A-induced apoptosis. Therefore, our data suggest that withaferin A induces apoptosis through the mechanism of thiol oxidation in head and neck carcinoma cells.

  17. Chronic alcoholism in rats induces a compensatory response, preserving brain thiamine diphosphate, but the brain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenases are inactivated despite unchanged coenzyme levels.

    PubMed

    Parkhomenko, Yulia M; Kudryavtsev, Pavel A; Pylypchuk, Svetlana Yu; Chekhivska, Lilia I; Stepanenko, Svetlana P; Sergiichuk, Andrej A; Bunik, Victoria I

    2011-06-01

    Thiamine-dependent changes in alcoholic brain were studied using a rat model. Brain thiamine and its mono- and diphosphates were not reduced after 20 weeks of alcohol exposure. However, alcoholism increased both synaptosomal thiamine uptake and thiamine diphosphate synthesis in brain, pointing to mechanisms preserving thiamine diphosphate in the alcoholic brain. In spite of the unchanged level of the coenzyme thiamine diphosphate, activities of the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate and pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes decreased in alcoholic brain. The inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was caused by its increased phosphorylation. The inactivation of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDHC) correlated with a decrease in free thiols resulting from an elevation of reactive oxygen species. Abstinence from alcohol following exposure to alcohol reactivated OGDHC along with restoration of the free thiol content. However, restoration of enzyme activity occurred before normalization of reactive oxygen species levels. Hence, the redox status of cellular thiols mediates the action of oxidative stress on OGDHC in alcoholic brain. As a result, upon chronic alcohol consumption, physiological mechanisms to counteract the thiamine deficiency and silence pyruvate dehydrogenase are activated in rat brain, whereas OGDHC is inactivated due to impaired antioxidant ability. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Neurochemistry © 2011 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  18. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia and stress oxidative state in healthy people.

    PubMed

    Yousefzade, Gholamreza; Nakhaee, Akram

    2012-12-01

    The purpose of this study is to assess the immediate effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on the natural antioxidant superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde concentration, total antioxidative capacity and total thiol group concentration in young healthy subjects. In this clinical trial, 16 healthy men with the mean age of 29.3 ± 5.3 years (range 21-39 years) became volunteers to participate the study. Hypoglycemia was induced by intravenous administration of regular insulin 0.1 U/kg. Before and after inducing hypoglycemia, SOD activity was determined in red blood cells, whereas the MDA concentration was determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance method, total thiol groups by high-performance liquid chromatography method and total antioxidant capacity by ferric reducing/antioxidant power. A significant increase was seen in the TBARS levels following insulin-induced hypoglycemia (0.19 ± 0.07 vs. 0.38 ± 0.16 nmol/g, P < 0.001), while a significant decrement occurred in the antioxidant power (FRAP value) (321.4 ± 63.4 vs. 231.4 ± 57.5, P < 0.001), total thiol concentration (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5, P = 0.001) and SOD enzyme activity (29.4 ± 8.2 vs. 23.1 ± 6.1, P < 0.001) subsequent the hypoglycemia with insulin.

  19. Thiol-reactive amphiphilic block copolymer for coating gold nanoparticles with neutral and functionable surfaces

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Hongwei; Zou, Hao; Paholak, Hayley J.; Ito, Masayuki; Qian, Wei; Che, Yong; Sun, Duxin

    2014-01-01

    Nanoparticles designed for biomedical applications are often coated with polymers containing reactive functional groups, such as –COOH and –NH2, to conjugate targeting ligands or drugs. However, introducing highly charged surfaces promotes binding of the nanoparticles to biomolecules in biological systems through ionic interactions, causing the nanoparticles to aggregate in biological environments and consequently undergo strong non-specific binding to off-target cells and tissues. Developing a unique polymer with neutral surfaces that can be further functionalized directly would be critical to develop suitable nanomaterials for nanomedicine. Here, we report a thiol-reactive amphiphilic block copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(pyridyldisulfide ethylmeth acrylate) (PEO-b-PPDSM) for coating gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The resultant polymer-coated AuNPs have almost neutral surfaces with slightly negative zeta potentials from -10 to 0 mV over a wide pH range from 2 to 12. Although the zeta potential is close to zero we show that the PEO-b-PPDSM copolymer-coated AuNPs have both good stability in various physiological conditions and reduced non-specific adsorption of proteins/biomolecules. Because of the multiple pyridyldisulfide groups on the PPDSM block, these individually dispersed nanocomplexes with an overall hydrodynamic size around 43.8 nm can be directly functionalized via disulfide-thiol exchange chemistry. PMID:24729795

  20. Simple and Rapid Quantitative Determination of Thiol-Containing Toxicants Using Silver Nanoparticles as an Affinity Probe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sharma, A.; Tapadia, K.

    2017-01-01

    A rapid and low-cost nano-drop spectrophotometric method using citrate-modified silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the determination of thiol-containing toxicants was developed. The introduction of thioglycolic acid (TGA) and thiourea (TU) reduced the overall surface charge of Ag NPs, resulting in aggregation of Ag NPs, and a colorimetric response that was individually correlated with the concentration of TGA and TU. Under optimum experimental conditions, the maximum molar absorptivity values for TGA and TU were 1.04 × 105 and 2.13 × 105 L × mol-1 × cm-1, respectively, at λmax of 415 nm. The linear range used was 0.5-2.5 mg/L for TGA, and 0.3-1.5 mg/L for TU. The detection limits (3S) and % relative standard deviation (RSD) for the method were found to be 3 ppb, 2 ppb, and ±1.13%, ±0.96% for TGA and TU, respectively. This new chromogenic method provided a facile and sensitive scheme for the determination of TGA and TU, and could be applied for the determination of thiol-containing biomolecules. This scheme was tested for the analysis of real samples such as urine, blood, and environmental samples.

  1. In Vitro Inhibitory Activity of Acca sellowiana Fruit Extract on End Products of Advanced Glycation.

    PubMed

    Muñiz, Alethia; Garcia, Abraham H; Pérez, Rosa M; García, Efren V; González, Daphne E

    2018-02-01

    Hyperglycemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, as it increases protein glycation, as well as the progressive accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are complex structures that produce fluorescence. The glycation reaction raises the levels of protein carbonyl, N ε -(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), and fructosamine and decreases the level of thiol groups. In the present study, the antiglycation activity was determined by fluorescence intensity using the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/glucose, CML method, and the level of fructosamine. The oxidation of proteins was determined by the carbonyl protein content and thiol groups. The results show that the hexane extract of Acca sellowiana (FOH) at different concentrations (0.30-5 mg/ml) significantly inhibited the formation of AGEs in the BSA/glucose model during the 4 weeks of the study. FOH reduced the levels of fructosamine and CML. Our results showed a significant effect of FOH in the prevention of oxidative damage of proteins, as well as an effect on the oxidation of thiol groups and carbonyl proteins. The present study indicates that FOH is effective in inhibiting the glycation of proteins in vitro, so it can prevent or ameliorate the chronic conditions of diabetes associated with the formation of AGEs.

  2. 3-Bromopyruvate inhibits calcium uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles but not SERCA ATP hydrolysis activity.

    PubMed

    Jardim-Messeder, Douglas; Camacho-Pereira, Juliana; Galina, Antonio

    2012-05-01

    3-Bromopyruvate (3BrPA) is an antitumor agent that alkylates the thiol groups of enzymes and has been proposed as a treatment for neoplasias because of its specific reactivity with metabolic energy transducing enzymes in tumor cells. In this study, we show that the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca(2+)) ATPase (SERCA) type 1 is one of the target enzymes of 3BrPA activity. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum vesicles (SRV) were incubated in the presence of 1mM 3BrPA, which was unable to inhibit the ATPase activity of SERCA. However, Ca(2+)-uptake activity was significantly inhibited by 80% with 150 μM 3BrPA. These results indicate that 3BrPA has the ability to uncouple the ATP hydrolysis from the calcium transport activities. In addition, we observed that the inclusion of 2mM reduced glutathione (GSH) in the reaction medium with different 3BrPA concentrations promoted an increase in 40% in ATPase activity and protects the inhibition promoted by 3BrPA in calcium uptake activity. This derivatization is accompanied by a decrease of reduced cysteine (Cys), suggesting that GSH and 3BrPA increases SERCA activity and transport by pyruvylation and/or S-glutathiolation mediated by GSH at a critical Cys residues of the SERCA. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. A New Class of Stable Heptamethine Cyanine Fluorophores and Biomedical Applications Thereof | NCI Technology Transfer Center | TTC

    Cancer.gov

    Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed an improved class of heptamethine cyanine fluorophore dyes useful for imaging applications in the near-IR range (750-850 nm). A new chemical reaction has been developed that provides easy access to novel molecules with improved properties. Specifically, the dyes display greater resistance to thiol nucleophiles, and are more robust while maintaining excellent optical properties. The dyes have been successfully employed in various in vivo imaging applications and in vitro labeling and microscopy applications. The NCI seek co-development or licensees to develop them as targetable agents for optical-guided surgical interventions.

  4. [Dinitrosyl iron complexes are endogenous signaling agents in animal and human cells and tissues (a hypothesis)].

    PubMed

    Vanin, A F

    2004-01-01

    The hypothesis was advanced that dinitrosyl iron complexes generated in animal and human cells and tissues producing nitric oxide can function as endogenous universal regulators of biochemical and physiological processes. This function is realized by the ability of dinitrosyl iron complexes to act as donors of free nitric oxide molecules interacting with the heme groups of proteins, nitrosonium ions, or Fe+(NO+)2 interacting with the thiol groups of proteins. The effect of dinitrosyl iron complexes on the activity of some enzymes and the expression of the genome at the translation and transcription levels was considered.

  5. Maillard reaction products as "natural antibrowning" agents in fruit and vegetable technology.

    PubMed

    Billaud, Catherine; Maraschin, Christelle; Chow, Yin-Naï; Chériot, Sophie; Peyrat-Maillard, Marie-Nöelle; Nicolas, Jacques

    2005-07-01

    The effects of Maillard reaction products (MRPs), synthesized from a sugar (pentose, hexose, or disaccharide) and either a cysteine-related compound, an amino acid, or a sulfur compound, were investigated on polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity from apple, mushroom, and eggplant. The optimal conditions for the production of inhibitory MRPs were performed using two-factor and five-level central experimental designs. It resulted that thiol-derived MRPs were highly prone to give rise to inhibitory compounds of PPO activity. Technological assays were also performed to test the efficiency of selected MRPs in the prevention of enzymatic browning in raw and minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

  6. The Chemical Biology of HNO Signaling

    PubMed Central

    Bianco, Christopher L.; Toscano, John P.; Bartberger, Michael D.; Fukuto, Jon M.

    2016-01-01

    Nitroxyl (HNO) is a simple molecule with significant potential as a pharmacological agent. For example, its use in the possible treatment of heart failure has received recent attention due to its unique therapeutic properties. Recent progress has been made on the elucidation of the mechanisms associated with its biological signaling. Importantly, the biochemical mechanisms described for HNO bioactivity are consistent with its unique and novel chemical properties/reactivity. To date, much of the biology of HNO can be associated with interactions and modification of important regulatory thiol proteins. Herein will be provided a description of HNO chemistry and how this chemistry translates to some of its reported biological effects. PMID:27555493

  7. A ω-mercaptoundecylphosphonic acid chemically modified gold electrode for uranium determination in waters in presence of organic matter.

    PubMed

    Merli, Daniele; Protti, Stefano; Labò, Matteo; Pesavento, Maria; Profumo, Antonella

    2016-05-01

    A chemically modified electrode (CME) on a gold surface assembled with a ω-phosphonic acid terminated thiol was investigated for its capability to complex uranyl ions. The electrode, characterized by electrochemical techniques, demonstrated to be effective for the determination of uranyl at sub-μgL(-1) level by differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV) in environmental waters, also in presence of humic matter and other potential chelating agents. The accuracy of the measurements was investigated employing as model probes ligands of different complexing capability (humic acids and EDTA). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Formulation of glutathione responsive anti-proliferative nanoparticles from thiolated Akt1 siRNA and disulfide-crosslinked PEI for efficient anti-cancer gene therapy.

    PubMed

    Muthiah, Muthunarayanan; Che, Hui-Lian; Kalash, Santhosh; Jo, Jihoon; Choi, Seok-Yong; Kim, Won Jong; Cho, Chong Su; Lee, Jae Young; Park, In-Kyu

    2015-02-01

    In this study, thiol-modified siRNA (SH-siRNA) was delivered by bioreducible polyethylenimine (ssPEI), to enhance physicochemical properties of polyplexes and function of siRNA through disulfide bonding between SH-siRNA and ssPEI. The ssPEI was utilized to deliver Akt1 SH-siRNA for suppression of Akt1 mRNA and blockage of Akt1 protein translation, resulting in reduced cellular proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. Disulfide bondings between the ssPEI and SH-siRNA through thiol groups in both were confirmed by DTT treatment. Complexation between ssPEI and Akt1SH-siRNA was enhanced and reduced surface charge of ssPEI/Akt1SH-siRNA complexes with smaller average particle sizes even at lower N/P ratios was obtained compared with PEI/Akt1siRNA ones. Cellular uptake of ssPEI/Akt1SH-siRNA complexes in CT-26 mouse colon cancer cells was also enhanced. The ssPEI/Akt1SH-siRNA complexes reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of mouse colon cancer cells in vitro. In an in vivo mouse tumor model, the complexes reduced tumor proliferation and downregulation of Akt1 compared to controls. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Gel-based methods in redox proteomics.

    PubMed

    Charles, Rebecca; Jayawardhana, Tamani; Eaton, Philip

    2014-02-01

    The key to understanding the full significance of oxidants in health and disease is the development of tools and methods that allow the study of proteins that sense and transduce changes in cellular redox. Oxidant-reactive deprotonated thiols commonly operate as redox sensors in proteins and a variety of methods have been developed that allow us to monitor their oxidative modification. This outline review specifically focuses on gel-based methods used to detect, quantify and identify protein thiol oxidative modifications. The techniques we discuss fall into one of two broad categories. Firstly, methods that allow oxidation of thiols in specific proteins or the global cellular pool to be monitored are discussed. These typically utilise thiol-labelling reagents that add a reporter moiety (e.g. affinity tag, fluorophore, chromophore), in which loss of labelling signifies oxidation. Secondly, we outline methods that allow specific thiol oxidation states of proteins (e.g. S-sulfenylation, S-nitrosylation, S-thionylation and interprotein disulfide bond formation) to be investigated. A variety of different gel-based methods for identifying thiol proteins that are sensitive to oxidative modifications have been developed. These methods can aid the detection and quantification of thiol redox state, as well as identifying the sensor protein. By understanding how cellular redox is sensed and transduced to a functional effect by protein thiol redox sensors, this will help us better appreciate the role of oxidants in health and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Current methods to study reactive oxygen species - pros and cons and biophysics of membrane proteins. Guest Editor: Christine Winterbourn. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Analysis of volatile thiols in alcoholic beverages by simultaneous derivatization/extraction and liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Vichi, Stefania; Cortés-Francisco, Nuria; Caixach, Josep

    2015-05-15

    A simultaneous derivatization/extraction method followed by liquid chromatography-electrospray-high resolution mass spectrometry for the determination of volatile thiols in hydroalcoholic matrixes was optimized and used to identify and quantify volatile thiols in wine and beer samples. The method was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, precision, accuracy and selectivity. The experimental LOQs of eleven thiols tested ranged between 0.01 ng/L and 10 ng/L. Intra-day relative standard deviation (RSD) was in general lower than 10% and inter-day RSD ranged between 10% and 30%. Recovery in the model and real matrixes ranged from 45% to 129%. The method was then applied for the analysis of four white wines and six beers. Five out of the eleven reference thiols were identified and quantified in the samples analyzed. The non-target approach, carried out by monitoring the diagnostic ion at m/z 275.9922 [C13H10ONSe](+) in the fragmentation spectrum, allowed detecting, in the same samples, fourteen non-target thiols. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Inhibition of Glutathione Biosynthesis Alters Compartmental Redox Status and the Thiol Proteome in Organogenesis-Stage Rat Conceptuses

    PubMed Central

    Harris, Craig; Shuster, Daniel Z.; Gomez, Rosaicela Roman; Sant, Karilyn E.; Reed, Matthew S.; Pohl, Jan; Hansen, Jason M.

    2013-01-01

    Developmental signals that control growth and differentiation are regulated by environmental factors that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alter steady state redox environments in tissues and fluids. Protein thiols are selectively oxidized and reduced in distinct spatial and temporal patterns in conjunction with changes in glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) and cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) redox potentials (E0) to regulate developmental signaling. The purpose of this study was to measure compartment specific thiol redox status in cultured organogenesis-stage rat conceptuses and to evaluate the impact of thiol oxidation on the redox proteome. The visceral yolk sac (VYS) has the highest initial (0 hr) total intracellular GSH (GSH + 2GSSG) concentrations (5.5 mM) and the lowest Eh (−223 mV) as determined by HPLC analysis. Total embryo (EMB) GSH concentrations ranged lower (3.2 mM) and were only slightly more oxidized than the VYS. Total GSH concentrations in yolk sac fluid (YSF) and amniotic fluid (AF) are >500-fold lower than in tissues and are highly oxidized (YSF Eh = −121 mV and AF Eh = −49 mV). Steady state total Cys concentrations (Cys + 2CySS) were significantly lower than GSH in tissues but were otherwise equal in VYS and EMB near 0.5 mM. On gestational day 11, total GSH and Cys concentrations in EMB and VYS increase significantly over the 6 hr time course while Eh remains relatively constant. The Eh (GSH/GSSG) in YSF and AF become more reduced over time while Eh (Cys/CySS) become more oxidized. Addition of L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BS0) to selectively inhibit GSH synthesis and mimic the effects of some GSH-depleting environmental chemicals, significantly decreased VYS and EMB GSH and cys concentrations and increased Eh over the 6 hr exposure period, showing a greater overall oxidation. In the YSF, BSO caused a significant increase in total Cys concentrations to 1.7 mM but did not significantly change the Eh for Cys/CySS. A significant net oxidation was seen in the BSO-treated AF compartment after 6 hr. Biotinylated iodoacetamide (BIAM) labeling of proteins revealed the significant thiol-oxidation of many EMB proteins following BSO treatment. Quantitative changes in the thiol proteome, associated with developmentally-relevant pathways, were detected using isotope coded affinity tag (ICAT) labeling and mass spectroscopy. Adaptive pathways were selectively enriched with increased concentrations of proteins involved in mRNA processing (splicesome) and mRNA stabilization (glycolysis, GAPDH), as well as, protein synthesis (aminoacyl-tRNA) and protein folding (antigen processing, Hsp70, protein disulfide isomerase). These results show the ability of chemical and environmental modulators to selectively alter compartmental intracellular and extracellular GSH and Cys concentrations and change their corresponding Eh within the intact viable conceptus. The altered Eh were also of sufficient magnitude to alter the redox proteome and change relative protein concentrations suggesting that the mechanistic links through which environmental factors inform and regulate developmental signaling pathways may be discovered using systems developmental biology techniques. PMID:23736079

  12. Inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis alters compartmental redox status and the thiol proteome in organogenesis-stage rat conceptuses.

    PubMed

    Harris, Craig; Shuster, Daniel Z; Roman Gomez, Rosaicela; Sant, Karilyn E; Reed, Matthew S; Pohl, Jan; Hansen, Jason M

    2013-10-01

    Developmental signals that control growth and differentiation are regulated by environmental factors that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alter steady-state redox environments in tissues and fluids. Protein thiols are selectively oxidized and reduced in distinct spatial and temporal patterns in conjunction with changes in glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) and cysteine/cystine (Cys/CySS) redox potentials (E(h)) to regulate developmental signaling. The purpose of this study was to measure compartment-specific thiol redox status in cultured organogenesis-stage rat conceptuses and to evaluate the impact of thiol oxidation on the redox proteome. The visceral yolk sac (VYS) has the highest initial (0 h) total intracellular GSH (GSH+2GSSG) concentration (5.5 mM) and the lowest Eh (-223 mV) as determined by HPLC analysis. Total embryo (EMB) GSH concentrations ranged lower (3.2 mM) and were only slightly more oxidized than the VYS. Total GSH concentrations in yolk sac fluid (YSF) and amniotic fluid (AF) are >500-fold lower than in tissues and are highly oxidized (YSF E(h)=-121 mV and AF E(h)=-49 mV). Steady-state total Cys concentrations (Cys+2CySS) were significantly lower than GSH in tissues but were otherwise equal in VYS and EMB near 0.5 mM. On gestational day 11, total GSH and Cys concentrations in EMB and VYS increase significantly over the 6h time course while E(h) remains relatively constant. The Eh (GSH/GSSG) in YSF and AF become more reduced over time while E(h) (Cys/CySS) become more oxidized. Addition of L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BS0) to selectively inhibit GSH synthesis and mimic the effects of some GSH-depleting environmental chemicals significantly decreased VYS and EMB GSH and Cys concentrations and increased Eh over the 6h exposure period, showing a greater overall oxidation. In the YSF, BSO caused a significant increase in total Cys concentrations to 1.7 mM but did not significantly change the E(h) for Cys/CySS. A significant net oxidation was seen in the BSO-treated AF compartment after 6 h. Biotinylated iodoacetamide (BIAM) labeling of proteins revealed the significant thiol oxidation of many EMB proteins following BSO treatment. Quantitative changes in the thiol proteome, associated with developmentally relevant pathways, were detected using isotope coded affinity tag (ICAT) labeling and mass spectroscopy. Adaptive pathways were selectively enriched with increased concentrations of proteins involved in mRNA processing (splicesome) and mRNA stabilization (glycolysis, GAPDH), as well as protein synthesis (aminoacyl-tRNA) and protein folding (antigen processing, Hsp70, protein disulfide isomerase). These results show the ability of chemical and environmental modulators to selectively alter compartmental intracellular and extracellular GSH and Cys concentrations and change their corresponding E(h) within the intact viable conceptus. The altered E(h) were also of sufficient magnitude to alter the redox proteome and change relative protein concentrations, suggesting that the mechanistic links through which environmental factors inform and regulate developmental signaling pathways may be discovered using systems developmental biology techniques. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on oxidative stress status and alveolar inflammation in people exposed to asbestos: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Alfonso, Helman; Franklin, Peter; Ching, Simon; Croft, Kevin; Burcham, Phil; Olsen, Nola; Reid, Alison; Joyce, David; de Klerk, Nick; Musk, Aw Bill

    2015-10-01

    Many of the pathological consequences in the lung following inhalation of asbestos fibres arise as a consequence of persistent oxidative stress and inflammation. Inflammatory responses can be observed in asymptomatic asbestos-exposed individuals. There are currently no interventions to reduce inflammatory or oxidative responses to asbestos before disease develops. We investigated the effects of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on indicators of inflammation or oxidative stress in asymptomatic people previously exposed to asbestos. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of 1800 mg of NAC given orally over a period of 4 months. This was a proof of principle study. Effectiveness was assessed using indicators of inflammation or oxidation as primary end-points. Serum levels of total combined thiols (cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and homocysteine) were used to monitor the NAC supplementation. Thirty-four subjects were randomly allocated to NAC and 32 to placebo. Serum levels of total combined thiols were similar between the groups after intervention. There were no differences in levels of inflammatory or oxidative stress end-points between the groups. No adverse effects were identified. No evidence was found that NAC supplementation replenishes total combined thiols in the blood of healthy subjects with a history of asbestos exposure. There was also no evidence of reduced indicators of inflammation or oxidative stress. Further studies should determine the conditions required to increase levels of total anti-oxidant capacity in the blood and in the lungs of subjects with either asbestos-related diseases or subclinical lung inflammation. © 2015 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

  14. Amaranth addition to enzymatically modified wheat flour improves dough functionality, bread immunoreactivity and quality.

    PubMed

    Heredia-Sandoval, N G; Calderón de la Barca, A M; Carvajal-Millán, E; Islas-Rubio, A R

    2018-01-24

    Consumers with gluten-related disorders require gluten-free (GF) foods to avoid an immune response. Alternative to the use of non-gluten containing grains to prepare GF bread, the gluten reactivity has been greatly reduced using a proline specific cleavage enzyme, however, the gluten functionality was lost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding an amaranth flour blend (AFB) to enzymatically modified wheat-flour proteins on dough functionality and to evaluate the immunoreactivity and acceptability of the prepared bread. First, wheat flour (20% w/v, substrate) was hydrolyzed using 8.4 U mg -1 protein Aspergillus niger prolyl-endopeptidase (AnPEP) for 8 h at 40 °C under constant agitation. Four types of breads were prepared with the same formulation except for the type of flour (14% w.b.): wheat flour (WF), WF-AFB unmodified not incubated, WF-AFB unmodified incubated and WF-AFB modified. The protein composition and free thiols were analyzed before and after amaranth addition, and the flour and bread proteins were run using SDS-PAGE and immune-detected in blots with IgA from celiac disease patients. The immunoreactive gluten content, specific volume and bread acceptability were evaluated. The polymeric proteins and free thiol groups of WF decreased after AnPEP treatment. The electrophoretic patterns of the modified flour and bread proteins were different and the IgA-immunodetection in blots was highly reduced, particularly for the higher molecular weight subunits. The addition of AFB to the modified wheat flour prepared using AnPEP improved the dough functionality by increasing the thiol groups and allowed the preparation of a sensorially acceptable bread with only 60 mg kg -1 immunoreactive gluten.

  15. Design, synthesis, fabrication and in vitro evalution of mucoadhesive 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole chitosan as low water soluble drug carriers.

    PubMed

    Kongsong, Mullika; Songsurang, Kultida; Sangvanich, Polkit; Siralertmukul, Krisana; Muangsin, Nongnuj

    2014-11-01

    Mucoadhesive thiolated chitosan suitable as a carrier for low water soluble drugs was designed and synthesized by conjugating 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) using methylacrylate (MA) as the linking agent. A 14.4% degree of substitution of MA, as determined by (1)H NMR analysis, and 11.86±0.01μmol thiol groups/g of polymer, as determined by Ellman's method, was obtained. The MBI-MA-chitosan had an 11-fold stronger mucoadhesive property compared to unmodified chitosan at pH 1.2, as determined by the periodic acid: Schiff colorimetric method. Chitosan, MA-chitosan and MBI-MA-chitosan were fabricated as well-formed microspheres using electrospray ionization, including an entrapment efficiency of simvastatin (SV) of over 80% for the MBI-MA-chitosan. The mucoadhesiveness of the SV-loaded MBI-MA-CS microspheres was still higher than that for SV-loaded chitosan at pH 1.2 and 6.4. The SV-loaded MBI-MA-CS microspheres revealed a reduced burst effect and an increased release rate (more than fivefold higher than pure SV) of SV over 12h. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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

    Xiong, Xiu-Fang; Li, Hui; Cao, En-Hua

    PIG11 (p53-induced protein 11), one of early transcriptional targets of tumor suppressor p53, was up-regulated in the induction of apoptosis or cell growth inhibition by multiple chemopreventive agents. However, its biological role remains unclear. Here, we expressed His{sub 6}-tagged PIG11 protein in Escherichia coli and demonstrated the recombinant His{sub 6}-tagged PIG11 protein could bind to supercoiled and relaxed closed circular plasmid DNA or linear DNA with different length using gel retardation assays in vitro. The interaction between DNA and PIG11 protein was sequence-independent and related to charge effect. The reducing thiol group in PIG11 protein was involved in the bindingmore » activity of PIG11 to DNA. Furthermore, the images of atomic force microscopy directly confirmed the binding of DNA and PIG11 protein and showed the PIG11-DNA complex formed a beads-on-a-string appearance in which PIG11 protein associated with DNA as polymer. These findings suggest that PIG11 protein may play an important role by interaction with other biological molecules in the regulation of apoptosis and provided us a novel angel of view to explore the possible function of PIG11 in vivo.« less

  17. The Combination of Vitamin K3 and Vitamin C Has Synergic Activity against Forms of Trypanosoma cruzi through a Redox Imbalance Process

    PubMed Central

    Cristina Desoti, Vânia; Lazarin-Bidóia, Danielle; Martins Ribeiro, Fabianne; Cardoso Martins, Solange; da Silva Rodrigues, Jean Henrique; Ueda-Nakamura, Tania; Vataru Nakamura, Celso; Farias Ximenes, Valdecir; de Oliveira Silva, Sueli

    2015-01-01

    Chagas’ disease is an infection that is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting millions of people worldwide. Because of severe side effects and variable efficacy, the current treatments for Chagas’ disease are unsatisfactory, making the search for new chemotherapeutic agents essential. Previous studies have reported various biological activities of naphthoquinones, such as the trypanocidal and antitumor activity of vitamin K3. The combination of this vitamin with vitamin C exerted better effects against various cancer cells than when used alone. These effects have been attributed to an increase in reactive oxygen species generation. In the present study, we evaluated the activity of vitamin K3 and vitamin C, alone and in combination, against T. cruzi. The vitamin K3 + vitamin C combination exerted synergistic effects against three forms of T. cruzi, leading to morphological, ultrastructural, and functional changes by producing reactive species, decreasing reduced thiol groups, altering the cell cycle, causing lipid peroxidation, and forming autophagic vacuoles. Our hypothesis is that the vitamin K3 + vitamin C combination induces oxidative imbalance in T. cruzi, probably started by a redox cycling process that leads to parasite cell death. PMID:26641473

  18. The Combination of Vitamin K3 and Vitamin C Has Synergic Activity against Forms of Trypanosoma cruzi through a Redox Imbalance Process.

    PubMed

    Cristina Desoti, Vânia; Lazarin-Bidóia, Danielle; Martins Ribeiro, Fabianne; Cardoso Martins, Solange; da Silva Rodrigues, Jean Henrique; Ueda-Nakamura, Tania; Vataru Nakamura, Celso; Farias Ximenes, Valdecir; de Oliveira Silva, Sueli

    2015-01-01

    Chagas' disease is an infection that is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting millions of people worldwide. Because of severe side effects and variable efficacy, the current treatments for Chagas' disease are unsatisfactory, making the search for new chemotherapeutic agents essential. Previous studies have reported various biological activities of naphthoquinones, such as the trypanocidal and antitumor activity of vitamin K3. The combination of this vitamin with vitamin C exerted better effects against various cancer cells than when used alone. These effects have been attributed to an increase in reactive oxygen species generation. In the present study, we evaluated the activity of vitamin K3 and vitamin C, alone and in combination, against T. cruzi. The vitamin K3 + vitamin C combination exerted synergistic effects against three forms of T. cruzi, leading to morphological, ultrastructural, and functional changes by producing reactive species, decreasing reduced thiol groups, altering the cell cycle, causing lipid peroxidation, and forming autophagic vacuoles. Our hypothesis is that the vitamin K3 + vitamin C combination induces oxidative imbalance in T. cruzi, probably started by a redox cycling process that leads to parasite cell death.

  19. Protective effects of cyanidin-3-rutinoside against monosaccharides-induced protein glycation and oxidation.

    PubMed

    Thilavech, Thavaree; Ngamukote, Sathaporn; Abeywardena, Mahinda; Adisakwattana, Sirichai

    2015-04-01

    Cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R), a naturally occurring anthocyanin, is present in various fruits and vegetables as a colorant. C3R has been well characterized and demonstrated a number of biological activities attributed to its antioxidant properties. The present study compared the effectiveness of C3R against monosaccharide-induced protein glycation and oxidation in vitro using bovine serum albumin (BSA).The results demonstrated that C3R (0.125-1.00 mM) inhibited the formation of fluorescent AGEs in ribose-glycated BSA (2-52%), fructose-glycated BSA (81-93%), glucose-glycated BSA (30-74%) and galactose-glycated BSA (6-79%).Correspondingly, C3R (1.00 mM) decreased the level of N(ɛ)-(carboxymethyl) lysine (56-86%) in monosaccharide-induced glycation in BSA. C3R also reduced the level of fructosamine, β-amyloid cross structure, protein carbonyl content as well as the depletion of thiol in BSA/monosaccharide system. In summary, C3R might offer a new promising antiglycation agent for the prevention of diabetic complications by inhibiting AGE formation and oxidation-dependent protein damage. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Poly(ethyl glyoxylate)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Nanoparticles: Stimuli-Responsive Drug Release via End-to-End Polyglyoxylate Depolymerization.

    PubMed

    Fan, Bo; Gillies, Elizabeth R

    2017-08-07

    The ability to disrupt polymer assemblies in response to specific stimuli provides the potential to release drugs selectively at certain sites or conditions in vivo. However, most stimuli-responsive delivery systems require many stimuli-initiated events to release drugs. "Self-immolative polymers" offer the potential to provide amplified responses to stimuli as they undergo complete end-to-end depolymerization following the cleavage of a single end-cap. Herein, linker end-caps were developed to conjugate self-immolative poly(ethyl glyoxylate) (PEtG) with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) to form amphiphilic block copolymers. These copolymers were self-assembled to form nanoparticles in aqueous solution. Cleavage of the linker end-caps were triggered by a thiol reducing agent, UV light, H 2 O 2 , and combinations of these stimuli, resulting in nanoparticle disintegration. Low stimuli concentrations were effective in rapidly disrupting the nanoparticles. Nile red, doxorubin, and curcumin were encapsulated into the nanoparticles and were selectively released upon application of the appropriate stimulus. The ability to tune the stimuli-responsiveness simply by changing the linker end-cap makes this new platform highly attractive for applications in drug delivery.

  1. Reduced protein carbonylation of cube steak and catfish fillet using antioxidative coatings containing cheddar whey, casein hydrolyzate and oolong tea extract

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydrolysis of casein using chymotrypsin results in the formation of polypeptides (casein hydrolyzate, CH) with a hydrophobic aromatic amino acid on one end of the chain because the enzyme selectively cleaves the adjacent peptide-bond. Due to resonance of the aromatic micro-domain, thiols become redo...

  2. Proteome-wide Light/Dark Modulation of Thiol Oxidation in Cyanobacteria Revealed by Quantitative Site-specific Redox Proteomics*

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Jia; Nguyen, Amelia Y.; Dai, Ziyu; Su, Dian; Gaffrey, Matthew J.; Moore, Ronald J.; Jacobs, Jon M.; Monroe, Matthew E.; Smith, Richard D.; Koppenaal, David W.; Pakrasi, Himadri B.; Qian, Wei-Jun

    2014-01-01

    Reversible protein thiol oxidation is an essential regulatory mechanism of photosynthesis, metabolism, and gene expression in photosynthetic organisms. Herein, we present proteome-wide quantitative and site-specific profiling of in vivo thiol oxidation modulated by light/dark in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, an oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryote, using a resin-assisted thiol enrichment approach. Our proteomic approach integrates resin-assisted enrichment with isobaric tandem mass tag labeling to enable site-specific and quantitative measurements of reversibly oxidized thiols. The redox dynamics of ∼2,100 Cys-sites from 1,060 proteins under light, dark, and 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (a photosystem II inhibitor) conditions were quantified. In addition to relative quantification, the stoichiometry or percentage of oxidation (reversibly oxidized/total thiols) for ∼1,350 Cys-sites was also quantified. The overall results revealed broad changes in thiol oxidation in many key biological processes, including photosynthetic electron transport, carbon fixation, and glycolysis. Moreover, the redox sensitivity along with the stoichiometric data enabled prediction of potential functional Cys-sites for proteins of interest. The functional significance of redox-sensitive Cys-sites in NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, peroxiredoxin (AhpC/TSA family protein Sll1621), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was further confirmed with site-specific mutagenesis and biochemical studies. Together, our findings provide significant insights into the broad redox regulation of photosynthetic organisms. PMID:25118246

  3. Interfacial thiol-ene photoclick reactions for forming multilayer hydrogels.

    PubMed

    Shih, Han; Fraser, Andrew K; Lin, Chien-Chi

    2013-03-13

    Interfacial visible light-mediated thiol-ene photoclick reactions were developed for preparing step-growth hydrogels with multilayer structures. The effect of a noncleavage type photoinitiator eosin-Y on visible-light-mediated thiol-ene photopolymerization was first characterized using in situ photorheometry, gel fraction, and equilibrium swelling ratio. Next, spectrophotometric properties of eosin-Y in the presence of various relevant macromer species were evaluated using ultraviolet-visible light (UV-vis) spectrometry. It was determined that eosin-Y was able to reinitiate the thiol-ene photoclick reaction, even after light exposure. Because of its small molecular weight, most eosin-Y molecules readily leached out from the hydrogels. The diffusion of residual eosin-Y from preformed hydrogels was exploited for fabricating multilayer step-growth hydrogels. Interfacial hydrogel coating was formed via the same visible-light-mediated gelation mechanism without adding fresh initiator. The thickness of the thiol-ene gel coating could be easily controlled by adjusting visible light exposure time, eosin-Y concentration initially loaded in the core gel, or macromer concentration in the coating solution. The major benefits of this interfacial thiol-ene coating system include its simplicity and cytocompatibility. The formation of thiol-ene hydrogels and coatings neither requires nor generates any cytotoxic components. This new gelation chemistry may have great utilities in controlled release of multiple sensitive growth factors and encapsulation of multiple cell types for tissue regeneration.

  4. The effect of the antioxidant on the properties of thiolated poly(aspartic acid) polymers in aqueous ocular formulations.

    PubMed

    Budai-Szűcs, Mária; Horvát, Gabriella; Gyarmati, Benjámin; Szilágyi, Barnabás Áron; Szilágyi, András; Berkó, Szilvia; Ambrus, Rita; Szabó-Révész, Piroska; Sandri, Giuseppina; Bonferoni, Maria Cristina; Caramella, Carla; Csányi, Erzsébet

    2017-04-01

    Thiolated polymers are a promising new group of excipients, but their stability against atmospheric oxidation has not been investigated in detail, and only a few efforts have been made to improve their stability. The oxidation of the thiol groups in solutions of thiolated polymers may result in a decrease of mucoadhesion and unpredictable in situ gelation. The aims of our work were to study the stability of aqueous solutions of thiolated polymers and the effects of stabilizing agents. We investigated thiolated poly(aspartic acid) polymers stabilized with dithiothreitol, glutathione or acetylcysteine. The effects of these antioxidants on the gel structure, mucoadhesion and drug release were determined by means of scanning electron microscopy, swelling, rheology, adhesion and drug release tests. It was concluded that the stability of polymer solutions containing antioxidants is sufficient for one day. Polymers stabilized with dithiotreitol demonstrated fast swelling and drug release, but weaker mucoadhesion as compared with the other samples. Polymers stabilized with glutathione displayed the weakest cohesive properties, resulting in fast and uncontrolled drug release and moderate mucoadhesion. Acetylcysteine-stabilized polymers exhibited an optimum cross-linked structure, with free thiol groups ensuring polymer-mucin interactions, resulting in the best mucoadhesive properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Destruction of Opportunistic Pathogens via Polymer Nanoparticle-Mediated Release of Plant-Based Antimicrobial Payloads.

    PubMed

    Amato, Dahlia N; Amato, Douglas V; Mavrodi, Olga V; Braasch, Dwaine A; Walley, Susan E; Douglas, Jessica R; Mavrodi, Dmitri V; Patton, Derek L

    2016-05-01

    The synthesis of antimicrobial thymol/carvacrol-loaded polythioether nanoparticles (NPs) via a one-pot, solvent-free miniemulsion thiol-ene photopolymerization process is reported. The active antimicrobial agents, thymol and carvacrol, are employed as "solvents" for the thiol-ene monomer phase in the miniemulsion to enable facile high capacity loading (≈50% w/w), excellent encapsulation efficiencies (>95%), and elimination of all postpolymerization purification processes. The NPs serve as high capacity reservoirs for slow-release and delivery of thymol/carvacrol-combination payloads that exhibit inhibitory and bactericidal activity (>99.9% kill efficiency at 24 h) against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including both saprophytic (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) and pathogenic species (E. coli ATCC 43895, Staphylococcus aureus RN6390, and Burkholderia cenocepacia K56-2). This report is among the first to demonstrate antimicrobial efficacy of essential oil-loaded nanoparticles against B. cenocepacia - an innately resistant opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with debilitating respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis. Although a model platform, these results point to promising pathways to particle-based delivery of plant-derived extracts for a range of antimicrobial applications, including active packaging materials, topical antiseptics, and innovative therapeutics. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Unusual thiol-based redox metabolism of parasitic flukes.

    PubMed

    Tripathi, Timir; Suttiprapa, Sutas; Sripa, Banchob

    2017-08-01

    Parasitic flukes are exposed to free radicals and, to a greater extent, reactive oxygen species (ROS) during their life cycle. Despite being relentlessly exposed to ROS released by activated immune cells, these parasites can survive for many years in the host. Cellular thiol-based redox metabolism plays a crucial role in parasite survival within their hosts. Evidence shows that oxidative stress and redox homeostasis maintenance are important clinical and pathobiochemical as well as effective therapeutic principles in various diseases. The characterization of redox and antioxidant enzymes is likely to yield good target candidates for novel drugs and vaccines. The absence of active catalase in fluke parasites offers great potential for the development of chemotherapeutic agents that act by perturbing the redox equilibrium of the cell. One of the redox-sensitive enzymes, thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR), has been accepted as a drug target against blood fluke infections, and related clinical trials are in progress. TGR is the sole enzyme responsible for Trx and GSH reduction in parasitic flukes. The availability of helminth genomes has accelerated the research on redox metabolism of flukes; however, significant achievements have yet to be attained. The present review summarizes current knowledge on the redox and antioxidant system of the parasitic flukes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Bromo- and thiomaleimides as a new class of thiol-mediated fluorescence 'turn-on' reagents.

    PubMed

    Youziel, Judith; Akhbar, Ahmed R; Aziz, Qadeer; Smith, Mark E B; Caddick, Stephen; Tinker, Andrew; Baker, James R

    2014-01-28

    Bromo- and thiomaleimides are shown to serve as highly effective quenchers of a covalently attached fluorophore. Reactions with thiols that lead to removal of the maleimide conjugation, or detachment of the fluorophore from the maleimide, result in 'turn-on' of the fluorescence. These reagents thus offer opportunities in thiol sensing and intracellular reporting.

  8. Mechanism of protein decarbonylation.

    PubMed

    Wong, Chi-Ming; Marcocci, Lucia; Das, Dividutta; Wang, Xinhong; Luo, Haibei; Zungu-Edmondson, Makhosazane; Suzuki, Yuichiro J

    2013-12-01

    Ligand/receptor stimulation of cells promotes protein carbonylation that is followed by the decarbonylation process, which might involve thiol-dependent reduction (C.M. Wong et al., Circ. Res. 102:301-318; 2008). This study further investigated the properties of this protein decarbonylation mechanism. We found that the thiol-mediated reduction of protein carbonyls is dependent on heat-labile biologic components. Cysteine and glutathione were efficient substrates for decarbonylation. Thiols decreased the protein carbonyl content, as detected by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, but not the levels of malondialdehyde or 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts. Mass spectrometry identified proteins that undergo thiol-dependent decarbonylation, which include peroxiredoxins. Peroxiredoxin-2 and -6 were carbonylated and subsequently decarbonylated in response to the ligand/receptor stimulation of cells. siRNA knockdown of glutaredoxin inhibited the decarbonylation of peroxiredoxin. These results strengthen the concept that thiol-dependent decarbonylation defines the kinetics of protein carbonylation signaling. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Mechanism of protein decarbonylation

    PubMed Central

    Wong, Chi-Ming; Marcocci, Lucia; Das, Dividutta; Wang, Xinhong; Luo, Haibei; Zungu-Edmondson, Makhosazane; Suzuki, Yuichiro J.

    2013-01-01

    Ligand/receptor-stimulation of cells promotes protein carbonylation that is followed by the decarbonylation process, which might involve thiol-dependent reduction (Wong et al., Circ. Res. 102 301-318, 2008). The present study further investigated the properties of this protein decarbonylation mechanism. We found that the thiol-mediated reduction of protein carbonyls is dependent on heat-labile biologic components. Cysteine and glutathione were found to be efficient substrates for decarbonylation. Thiols decreased the protein carbonyl content, as detected by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, but not the levels of malondialdehyde or 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts. Mass spectrometry identified proteins that undergo thiol-dependent decarbonylation, which include peroxiredoxins. Peroxiredoxins-2 and -6 were found to be carbonylated and subsequent decarbonylated in response to the ligand/receptor-stimulation of cells. siRNA knockdown of glutaredoxin inhibited the decarbonylation of peroxiredoxin. These results strengthen the concept that thiol-dependent decarbonylation defines the kinetics of protein carbonylation signaling. PMID:24044890

  10. The compromise of dynamic disulfide/thiol homeostasis as a biomarker of oxidative stress in trichloroethylene exposure.

    PubMed

    Bal, C; Büyükşekerci, M; Koca, C; Ağış, E R; Erdoğan, S; Baran, P; Gündüzöz, M; Yilmaz, Öh

    2016-09-01

    In this study, we aimed to investigate disulfide/thiol homeostasis in trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure. The study was carried out in 30 nonsmoker TCE-exposed workers with a variety of occupations. Additionally, 30 healthy nonsmoker volunteers were recruited as the control group. TCE exposure was determined by measuring urinary trichloroacetic acid (TCA) concentration. Median urinary TCA levels of exposed workers (20.5 mg/L) were significantly higher than control subjects (5 mg/L). Thiol and disulfide concentrations were determined using a novel automated method. Disulfide/thiol ratio was significantly higher in the exposed group (p < 0.001). Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was found to be disturbed in TCE-exposed workers. We predict that in TCE-exposed workers this disturbance can be a therapeutic target, and the efficiency of the treatment can easily be monitored by the novel method we used. © The Author(s) 2015.

  11. Identification of Thiols in Yellow Onion (Allium cepa L.) Using Solvent Vented Large Volume Injection GC-MS.

    PubMed

    Wermes, Clint; Cannon, Robert; Haasnoot, Sytze; Colstee, Hans; Niedeveld, Cor; Koopmanschap, Gijs; Da Costa, Neil C

    2017-11-01

    Thiols are often highly odor active molecules and as such can significantly contribute to aroma while being present at extremely low concentrations. This paper details the identification of thiols in yellow onion juice by solvent extraction followed by thiol enrichment using a mercuric agarose gel column. Due to the inherent thermal instability and low concentrations of thiols in onion, chromatographic analysis utilized larger volume solvent elimination injections. New sulfur compounds in onion included 1,1-propanedithiol, bis-(1-sulfanylpropyl)-sulfide, 1-methylsulfanyl-1-propanethiol, 1-propylsulfanyl-1-propanethiol, and 1-allylsulfanyl-1-propanethiol. A discussion on the potential route of formation for each compound is included along with the orthonasal and retronasal evaluations of the synthesized molecules. This work investigated and identified 5 newly identified compounds present in onions that can impart onion character at low concentrations levels. © 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.

  12. Mass Spectrometry in Studies of Protein Thiol Chemistry and Signaling: Opportunities and Caveats

    PubMed Central

    Devarie Baez, Nelmi O.; Reisz, Julie A.; Furdui, Cristina M.

    2014-01-01

    Mass spectrometry (MS) has become a powerful and widely utilized tool in the investigation of protein thiol chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. Very early biochemical studies of metabolic enzymes have brought to light the broad spectrum of reactivity profiles that distinguish cysteine thiols with functions in catalysis and protein stability from other cysteine residues in proteins. The development of MS methods for the analysis of proteins using electrospray ionization (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) coupled with the emergence of high-resolution mass analyzers have been instrumental in advancing studies of thiol modifications, both in single proteins and within the cellular context. This article reviews MS instrumentation and methods of analysis employed in investigations of thiols and their reactivity toward a range of small biomolecules. A selected number of studies are detailed to highlight the advantages brought about by the MS technologies along with the caveats associated with these analyses. PMID:25261734

  13. Hepatic glutathione metabolism and lipid peroxidation in response to excess dietary selenomethionine and selenite in mallard ducklings

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hoffman, D.J.; Heinz, G.H.; Krynitsky, A.J.

    1989-01-01

    Selenium from selenomethionine accumulated in a dose-dependent manner in the liver, resulting in a decrease in hepatic-reduced glutathione with a corresponding decrease in total hepatic thiols. There was a dose-dependent increase in the oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio, and an increase in lipid peroxidation. These findings indicate that Se in the diet at 10 ppm and higher causes significant sublethal alterations in mallard ducklings, and 20-40 ppm causes significant hepatotoxicity.

  14. Advanced Oxidation Protein Products-Modified Albumin Induces Differentiation of RAW264.7 Macrophages into Dendritic-Like Cells Which Is Modulated by Cell Surface Thiols.

    PubMed

    Garibaldi, Silvano; Barisione, Chiara; Marengo, Barbara; Ameri, Pietro; Brunelli, Claudio; Balbi, Manrico; Ghigliotti, Giorgio

    2017-01-10

    Local accumulation of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) induces pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic processes in kidneys and is an independent predictor of renal fibrosis and of rapid decline of eGFR in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition to kidney damage, circulating AOPP may be regarded as mediators of systemic oxidative stress and, in this capacity, they might play a role in the progression of atherosclerotic damage of arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves activation of innate and adaptive immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are key cells in this process, due to their role in antigen presentation, inflammation resolution and T cell activation. AOPP consist in oxidative modifications of proteins (such as albumin and fibrinogen) that mainly occur through myeloperoxidase (MPO)-derived hypochlorite (HOCl). HOCl modified proteins have been found in atherosclerotic lesions. The oxidizing environment and the shifts in cellular redox equilibrium trigger inflammation, activate immune cells and induce immune responses. Thus, surface thiol groups contribute to the regulation of immune functions. The aims of this work are: (1) to evaluate whether AOPP-proteins induce activation and differentiation of mature macrophages into dendritic cells in vitro; and (2) to define the role of cell surface thiol groups and of free radicals in this process. AOPP-proteins were prepared by in vitro incubation of human serum albumin (HSA) with HOCl. Mouse macrophage-like RAW264.7 were treated with various concentrations of AOPP-HSA with or without the antioxidant N -acetyl cysteine (NAC). Following 48 h of HSA-AOPP treatment, RAW264.7 morphological changes were evaluated by microscopic observation, while markers of dendritic lineage and activation (CD40, CD86, and MHC class II) and allogeneic T cell proliferation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell surface thiols were measured by AlexaFluor-maleimide binding, and ROS production was assessed as DCF fluorescence by flow cytometry. HSA-AOPP induced the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells into a dendritic-like phenotype, as shown by morphological changes, by increased CD40, CD86 and MHC class II surface expression and by induction of T cell proliferation. The cell surface thiols dose dependently decreased following HSA-AOPP treatment, while ROS production increased. NAC pre-treatment enhanced the amount of cell surface thiols and prevented their reduction due to treatment with AOPP. Both ROS production and RAW264.7 differentiation into DC-like cells induced by HSA-AOPP were reduced by NAC. Our results highlight that oxidized plasma proteins modulate specific immune responses of macrophages through a process involving changes in the thiol redox equilibrium. We suggest that this mechanism may play a role in determining the rapid progression of the atherosclerotic process observed in CKD patients.

  15. Efficacy of chitosan in inhibiting the oxidation of (+)-catechin in white wine model solutions.

    PubMed

    Chinnici, Fabio; Natali, Nadia; Riponi, Claudio

    2014-10-08

    The efficacy of chitosan and sulfites in inhibiting the oxidation of (+)-catechin in aerated model white wines has been compared by monitoring the browning development and the generation of oxidized phenolic compounds. In addition, the protecting effects of these two additives toward the oxidative decay of varietal thiols were investigated. Chitosan effectively contrasted the browning onset in model solutions all along the entire duration of the experimentation. Color development was limited and comparable in both the sulfite and chitosan added samples. Thanks to its polyelectrolyte behavior, chitosan adsorbed up to 80% of the more hydrophilic oxidized phenolic species and chelated 70 and 30% of Fe and Cu added to the solutions, respectively. Thiol oxidation was significantly lowered by chitosan, suggesting that this additive could contribute to maintain the varietal character of wines coming from aromatic grapes and vinified with reduced sulfite amounts.

  16. Applications of reversible covalent chemistry in analytical sample preparation.

    PubMed

    Siegel, David

    2012-12-07

    Reversible covalent chemistry (RCC) adds another dimension to commonly used sample preparation techniques like solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) or immuno-affinity cleanup (IAC): chemical selectivity. By selecting analytes according to their covalent reactivity, sample complexity can be reduced significantly, resulting in enhanced analytical performance for low-abundance target analytes. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the applications of RCC in analytical sample preparation. The major reactions covered include reversible boronic ester formation, thiol-disulfide exchange and reversible hydrazone formation, targeting analyte groups like diols (sugars, glycoproteins and glycopeptides, catechols), thiols (cysteinyl-proteins and cysteinyl-peptides) and carbonyls (carbonylated proteins, mycotoxins). Their applications range from low abundance proteomics to reversible protein/peptide labelling to antibody chromatography to quantitative and qualitative food analysis. In discussing the potential of RCC, a special focus is on the conditions and restrictions of the utilized reaction chemistry.

  17. Why dissolved organic matter (DOM) enhances photodegradation of methylmercury

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

    Qian, Yun; Yin, Xiangping Lisa; Brooks, Scott C

    2014-01-01

    Methylmercury (MeHg) is known to degrade photochemically, but it remains unclear what roles naturally dissolved organic matter (DOM) and complexing organic ligands play in MeHg photodegradation. Here we investigate the rates and mechanisms of MeHg photodegradation using DOM samples with varying oxidation states and origins as well as organic ligands with known molecular structures. All DOM and organic ligands increased MeHg photodegradation under solar irradiation, but the first-order rate constants varied depending on the oxidation state of DOM and the type and concentration of the ligands. Compounds containing both thiols and aromatics (e.g., thiosalicylate and reduced DOM) increased MeHg degradationmore » rates far greater than those containing only aromatic or thiol functional groups (e.g., salicylate or glutathione). Our results suggest that, among other factors, the synergistic effects of thiolate and aromatic moieties in DOM greatly enhance MeHg photodegradation.« less

  18. Biological Chemistry and Functionality of Protein Sulfenic Acids and Related Thiol Modifications

    PubMed Central

    Devarie-Baez, Nelmi O.; Silva Lopez, Elsa I.; Furdui, Cristina M.

    2016-01-01

    Selective modification of proteins at cysteine residues by reactive oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur species formed under physiological and pathological states is emerging as a critical regulator of protein activity impacting cellular function. This review focuses primarily on protein sulfenylation (-SOH), a metastable reversible modification connecting reduced cysteine thiols to many products of cysteine oxidation. An overview is first provided on the chemistry principles underlining synthesis, stability and reactivity of sulfenic acids in model compounds and proteins, followed by a brief description of analytical methods currently employed to characterize these oxidative species. The following chapters present a selection of redox-regulated proteins for which the -SOH formation was experimentally confirmed and linked to protein function. These chapters are organized based on the participation of these proteins in the regulation of signaling, metabolism and epigenetics. The last chapter discusses the therapeutic implications of altered redox microenvironment and protein oxidation in disease. PMID:26340608

  19. Automated tagging of pharmaceutically active thiols under flow conditions using monobromobimane.

    PubMed

    Tzanavaras, Paraskevas D; Karakosta, Theano D

    2011-03-25

    The thiol-specific derivatization reagent monobromobimane (MBB) is applied--for the first time--under flow conditions. Sequential injection analysis allows the handling of precise volumes of the reagent in the micro-liter range. The effect of the main chemical and instrumental variables was investigated using captopril (CAP), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and penicillamine (PEN) as representative pharmaceutically active thiols. Previously reported hydrolysis of MBB due to interaction with nucleophilic components of the buffers was avoided kinetically under flow conditions. The proposed analytical scheme is suitable for the fluorimetric determination of thiols at a sampling rate of 36 h(-1). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Enzymatic Continuous Flow Synthesis of Thiol-Terminated Poly(δ-Valerolactone) and Block Copolymers.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Ning; Huang, Weijun; Hu, Xin; Liu, Yihuan; Fang, Zheng; Guo, Kai

    2018-04-01

    Thiol-terminated poly(δ-valerolactone) is directly synthesized via enzymatic 6-mercapto-1-hexanol initiated ring-opening polymerization in both batch and microreactor. By using Candida antartica Lipase B immobilized tubular reactor, narrowly dispersed poly(δ-valerolactone) with higher thiol fidelity is more efficiently prepared in contrast to the batch reactor. Moreover, the integrated enzyme packed tubular reactor system is established to perform the chain extension experiments. Thiol-terminated poly(δ-valerolactone)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(δ-valerolactone) are easily prepared by modulating the monomer introduction sequence. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  1. Can thiol compounds be used as biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem contamination by cadmium?

    PubMed Central

    Kovářová, Jana; Svobodová, Zdeňka

    2009-01-01

    Due to anthropogenic activities, heavy metals still represent a threat for various trophic levels. If aquatic animals are exposed to heavy metals we can obviously observe considerable toxicity. It is well known that an organism affected by cadmium (Cd) synthesize low molecular mass thiol compounds rich in cysteine (Cys), such as metallothioneins (MT) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). The aim of this study was to summarize the effect of Cd on level of thiol compounds in aquatic organisms, and evaluate that the concentrations of thiol compounds are effective indicators of Cd water pollution and explain their potential use in biomonitoring applications. PMID:21217850

  2. The yeast Hsp70 Ssa1 is a sensor for activation of the heat shock response by thiol-reactive compounds

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Yanyu; Gibney, Patrick A.; West, James D.; Morano, Kevin A.

    2012-01-01

    The heat shock transcription factor HSF1 governs the response to heat shock, oxidative stresses, and xenobiotics through unknown mechanisms. We demonstrate that diverse thiol-reactive molecules potently activate budding yeast Hsf1. Hsf1 activation by thiol-reactive compounds is not consistent with the stresses of misfolding of cytoplasmic proteins or cytotoxicity. Instead, we demonstrate that the Hsp70 chaperone Ssa1, which represses Hsf1 in the absence of stress, is hypersensitive to modification by a thiol-reactive probe. Strikingly, mutation of two conserved cysteine residues to serine in Ssa1 rendered cells insensitive to Hsf1 activation and subsequently induced thermotolerance by thiol-reactive compounds, but not by heat shock. Conversely, substitution with the sulfinic acid mimic aspartic acid resulted in constitutive Hsf1 activation. Cysteine 303, located within the nucleotide-binding domain, was found to be modified in vivo by a model organic electrophile, demonstrating that Ssa1 is a direct target for thiol-reactive molecules through adduct formation. These findings demonstrate that Hsp70 is a proximal sensor for Hsf1-mediated cytoprotection and can discriminate between two distinct environmental stressors. PMID:22809627

  3. Chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides containing a free sulphydryl group and subsequent attachment of thiol specific probes.

    PubMed Central

    Connolly, B A; Rider, P

    1985-01-01

    Oligonucleotides containing a free sulphydryl group at their 5'-termini have been synthesised and further derivatised with thiol specific probes. The nucleotide sequence required is prepared using standard solid phase phosphoramidite techniques and an extra round of synthesis is then performed using the S-triphenylmethyl O-methoxymorpholinophosphite derivatives of 2-mercaptoethanol, 3-mercaptopropan (1) ol or 6-mercaptohexan (1) ol. After cleavage from the resin and removal of the phosphate and base protecting groups, this yields an oligonucleotide containing an S-triphenylmethyl group attached to the 5'-phosphate group via a two, three or six carbon chain. The triphenylmethyl group can be readily removed with silver nitrate to give the free thiol. With the three and six carbon chain oligonucleotides, this thiol can be used, at pH 8, for the attachment of thiol specific probes as illustrated by the reaction with fluorescent conjugates of iodoacetates and maleiimides. However, oligonucleotides containing a thiol attached to the 5'-phosphate group via a two carbon chain are unstable at pH 8 decomposing to the free 5'-phosphate and so are unsuitable for further derivatisation. PMID:4011448

  4. A Central Role for Thiols in Plant Tolerance to Abiotic Stress

    PubMed Central

    Zagorchev, Lyuben; Seal, Charlotte E.; Kranner, Ilse; Odjakova, Mariela

    2013-01-01

    Abiotic stress poses major problems to agriculture and increasing efforts are being made to understand plant stress response and tolerance mechanisms and to develop new tools that underpin successful agriculture. However, the molecular mechanisms of plant stress tolerance are not fully understood, and the data available is incomplete and sometimes contradictory. Here, we review the significance of protein and non-protein thiol compounds in relation to plant tolerance of abiotic stress. First, the roles of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, are discussed, followed by an extensive discussion of the low-molecular-weight tripeptide, thiol glutathione, which plays a central part in plant stress response and oxidative signalling and of glutathione-related enzymes, including those involved in the biosynthesis of non-protein thiol compounds. Special attention is given to the glutathione redox state, to phytochelatins and to the role of glutathione in the regulation of the cell cycle. The protein thiol section focuses on glutaredoxins and thioredoxins, proteins with oxidoreductase activity, which are involved in protein glutathionylation. The review concludes with a brief overview of and future perspectives for the involvement of plant thiols in abiotic stress tolerance. PMID:23549272

  5. Confirmation of 1-Phenylethane-1-thiol as the Character Impact Aroma Compound in Curry Leaves and Its Behavior during Tissue Disruption, Drying, and Frying.

    PubMed

    Steinhaus, Martin

    2017-03-15

    The most odor-active compounds previously identified by application of an aroma extract dilution analysis were quantitated in freshly picked curry leaves, either by stable isotope dilution assays in combination with GC-GC-MS or by GC-FID after simultaneous extraction/fractionation. Odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated as ratios of concentrations to odor threshold values. The topmost OAVs were obtained for (3Z)-hex-3-enal (grassy; OAV 180 000), (1S)-1-phenylethane-1-thiol (sulfury, burnt; OAV 150 000), (1R)-1-phenylethane-1-thiol (sulfury, burnt; OAV 120 000), (3R)-linalool (citrusy; OAV 58 000), and myrcene (geranium leaf-like; OAV 23 000). The high OAVs calculated for its enantiomers confirmed 1-phenylethane-1-thiol as character impact compound of the typical sulfury and burnt aroma of curry leaves. The 1-phenylethane-1-thiol concentration in curry leaves decreased upon tissue disruption and drying, as well as upon frying of fresh leaves. By contrast, frying of dried leaves led to an increase of 1-phenylethane-1-thiol, indicating a yet unknown thermolabile precursor.

  6. Near-infrared (NIR) emitting conjugated polymers for biomedical applications (Presentation Recording)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Repenko, Tatjana; Kuehne, Alexander J. C.

    2015-10-01

    Fluorescent biomedical markers of today such as dye-infiltrated colloids, microgels and quantum dots suffer from fast bleaching, lack surface functionality (for targets or pharmaceutical agents) and potentially leach heavy metals in case of quantum dots (e.g. Cd). By contrast, conjugated polymer particles are non-cytotoxic, exhibit reduced bleaching, as the entire particle consists of fluorophore, they are hydrophobic and show high quantum yields. Consequently, conjugated polymer particles represent ideal materials for biological applications and imaging. However currently, conjugated polymer particles for biomedical imaging usually lack near-infrared (NIR) emission and are polydisperse. Fluorescent agents with emission in the NIR spectrum are interesting for biomedical applications due to their low photo-damage towards biological species and the ability of NIR radiation to penetrate deep into biological tissue.. I will present the development and synthesis of new conjugated polymers particles with fluorescence in the NIR spectral region for bio-imaging and clinical diagnosis. The particle synthesis proceeds in a one-step Pd or Ni-catalyzed dispersion polymerization of functional NIR emitters. The resulting monodisperse conjugated polymer particles are obtained as a dispersion in a non-hazardous solvent. Different sizes in the sub-micrometer range with a narrow size distribution can be produced. Furthermore biological recognition motifs can be easily attached to the conjugated polymers via thiol-yne click-chemistry providing specific tumor targeting without quenching of the fluorescence. References [1] Kuehne AJC, Gather MC, Sprakel J., Nature Commun. 2012, 3, 1088. [2] Repenko T, Fokong S, De Laporte L, Go D, Kiessling F, Lammers T, Kuehne AJC.,Chem Commun 2015, accepted.

  7. Thiol-redox signaling, dopaminergic cell death, and Parkinson's disease.

    PubMed

    Garcia-Garcia, Aracely; Zavala-Flores, Laura; Rodriguez-Rocha, Humberto; Franco, Rodrigo

    2012-12-15

    Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, which has been widely associated with oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms by which redox signaling regulates cell death progression remain elusive. Early studies demonstrated that depletion of glutathione (GSH), the most abundant low-molecular-weight thiol and major antioxidant defense in cells, is one of the earliest biochemical events associated with PD, prompting researchers to determine the role of oxidative stress in dopaminergic cell death. Since then, the concept of oxidative stress has evolved into redox signaling, and its complexity is highlighted by the discovery of a variety of thiol-based redox-dependent processes regulating not only oxidative damage, but also the activation of a myriad of signaling/enzymatic mechanisms. GSH and GSH-based antioxidant systems are important regulators of neurodegeneration associated with PD. In addition, thiol-based redox systems, such as peroxiredoxins, thioredoxins, metallothioneins, methionine sulfoxide reductases, transcription factors, as well as oxidative modifications in protein thiols (cysteines), including cysteine hydroxylation, glutathionylation, and nitrosylation, have been demonstrated to regulate dopaminergic cell loss. In this review, we summarize major advances in the understanding of the role of thiol-redox signaling in dopaminergic cell death in experimental PD. Future research is still required to clearly understand how integrated thiol-redox signaling regulates the activation of the cell death machinery, and the knowledge generated should open new avenues for the design of novel therapeutic approaches against PD.

  8. Functional characterization of Mia40p, the central component of the disulfide relay system of the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

    PubMed

    Grumbt, Barbara; Stroobant, Vincent; Terziyska, Nadia; Israel, Lars; Hell, Kai

    2007-12-28

    Mia40p and Erv1p are components of a translocation pathway for the import of cysteine-rich proteins into the intermembrane space of mitochondria. We have characterized the redox behavior of Mia40p and reconstituted the disulfide transfer system of Mia40p by using recombinant functional C-terminal fragment of Mia40p, Mia40C, and Erv1p. Oxidized Mia40p contains three intramolecular disulfide bonds. One disulfide bond connects the first two cysteine residues in the CPC motif. The second and the third bonds belong to the twin CX(9)C motif and bridge the cysteine residues of two CX(9)C segments. In contrast to the stabilizing disulfide bonds of the twin CX(9)C motif, the first disulfide bond was easily accessible to reducing agents. Partially reduced Mia40C generated by opening of this bond as well as fully reduced Mia40C were oxidized by Erv1p in vitro. In the course of this reaction, mixed disulfides of Mia40C and Erv1p were formed. Reoxidation of fully reduced Mia40C required the presence of the first two cysteine residues in Mia40C. However, efficient reoxidation of a Mia40C variant containing only the cysteine residues of the twin CX(9)C motif was observed when in addition to Erv1p low amounts of wild type Mia40C were present. In the reconstituted system the thiol oxidase Erv1p was sufficient to transfer disulfide bonds to Mia40C, which then could oxidize the variant of Mia40C. In summary, we reconstituted a disulfide relay system consisting of Mia40C and Erv1p.

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

    Fu, Na; Su, Dian; Cort, John R.

    Reversible disulfide oxidation between proximal cysteines in proteins represents a common regulatory control mechanism to modulate flux through metabolic pathways in response to changing environmental conditions. To enable in vivo measurements of cellular redox changes linked to disulfide bond formation, we have synthesized a cell-permeable monosubstituted cyanine dye derivatized with arsenic (i.e., TRAP_Cy3) to trap and visualize dithiols in cytosolic proteins. Alkylation of reactive thiols prior to displacement of the bound TRAP-Cy3 by ethanedithiol permits facile protein capture and mass spectrometric identification of proximal reduced dithiols to the exclusion of individual cysteines. Applying TRAP_Cy3 to evaluate cellular responses to increasesmore » in oxygen and light levels in the photosynthetic microbe Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, we observe large decreases in the abundance of reduced dithiols in cellular proteins, which suggest redox-dependent mechanisms involving the oxidation of proximal disulfides. Under these same growth conditions that result in the oxidation of proximal thiols, there is a reduction in the abundance of post-translational oxidative modifications involving nitrotyrosine and methionine sulfoxide formation. These results suggest that the redox status of proximal cysteines respond to environmental conditions, acting to regulate metabolic flux and minimize the formation of reactive oxygen species to decrease oxidative protein damage.« less

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

    Gomez, Leyre; Cebrian, Virginia; Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPAZ, Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Morphological changes are observed for CTABr capped gold nanorods over time. • Polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) coated nanorods are stable. • Re-suspendible and sterilizable colloids are prepared using those capping agents. • Those materials are efficient heat sinks potentially used in photothermal therapy. - Abstract: Suspensions in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) of gold nanorods stabilized with cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (CTABr), polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and methyl-polyethyleneglycol-thiol (m-PEG-SH) have been prepared and the evolution of their colloidal stability and plasmonic response over time has been evaluated. Their performance after lyophilization, alcoholic sterilization and resuspension has also beenmore » characterized. Sub-cytotoxic doses on HeLa cells were calculated for the three surface functionalizations used. Their heating efficiency at different exposure times was also evaluated after being irradiated with near infrared light. The best results were obtained for m-PEG-SH stabilized rods, which were not only stable, sterilizable and lyophilizable, but also biocompatible at all doses tested, showing potential as a stable, re-suspendible and biocompatible hyperthermic agent.« less

  11. A chromenoquinoline-based fluorescent off-on thiol probe for bioimaging.

    PubMed

    Kand, Dnyaneshwar; Kalle, Arunasree Marasanapalli; Varma, Sreejith Jayasree; Talukdar, Pinaki

    2012-03-11

    A new chromenoquinoline-based fluorescent off-on thiol probe 2 is reported. In aqueous buffer solutions at physiological pH, the probe exhibited 223-fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity by a Michael addition of cysteine to the maleimide appended to a chromenoquinoline. Cell permeability and live cell imaging of thiols are also demonstrated. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012

  12. A Novel Tool for the Assessment Oxidative Stress in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis Revisited.

    PubMed

    Arıkan Yorgun, Mücella; Toklu, Yasin; Altınkaynak, Hasan; Tanrıverdi, Burak; Ergin, Merve; Biçer, Cemile

    2016-12-01

    To investigate thiol/disulfide status using a novel automated assay in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to age-matched healthy controls. A total of 64 AMD patients [51 (79%) non-exudative, 13 (21%) exudative AMD] and 21 age-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Plasma total thiol, native thiol, disulfide levels were measured and native thiol/disulfide ratio (TDR) was calculated using a novel spectrophotometric assay. Patients with AMD had significantly lower levels of total thiol (434.8 ± 7.0 μmol/L vs. 472.2 ± 7.9 μmol/L, p < 0.001), native thiol (393.6 ± 6.5 μmol/L vs. 437.5 ± 7.1 μmol/L, p = 0.004) compared to healthy controls. However, plasma disulfide levels were higher in AMD patients (20.6 ± 0.9 μmol/L vs. 17.3 ± 1.3 μmol/L, p = 0.113) compared to healthy controls. The TDR was not statistically different between the early AMD group and healthy controls (24.2 ± 2.3 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.345). However, intermediate and advanced stage AMD groups had significantly lower levels of TDR compared to healthy controls (21.6 ± 2.6 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.023 and 20.3 ± 1.2 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.005, respectively). Native TDR was significantly lower in patients with exudative and non-exudative AMD (19.9 ± 2.3 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.024 and 21.8 ± 1.14 vs. 29.47 ± 3.1 respectively, p = 0.011). A greater extent of thiol consumption occurred in AMD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. However, despite the similar levels of total thiol levels between several grades of AMD, the plasma native TDR value was decreased in accordance with the severity of the disease, which reflected the disease grade better.

  13. Increased Serum Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Uterine Leiomyoma

    PubMed Central

    Santulli, Pietro; Borghese, Bruno; Lemaréchal, Herve; Leconte, Mahaut; Millischer, Anne-Elodie; Batteux, Frédéric

    2013-01-01

    Background Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common gynaecological benign tumors in premenopausal women. Evidences support the role of oxidative stress in the development of uterine leiomyoma. We have analysed oxidative stress markers (thiols, advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP), protein carbonyls and nitrates/nitrites) in preoperative sera from women with histologically proven uterine leiomyoma. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a laboratory study in a tertiary-care university hospital. Fifty-nine women with histologically proven uterine leiomyoma and ninety-two leiomyoma-free control women have been enrolled in this study. Complete surgical exploration of the abdominopelvic cavity was performed in each patient. Preoperative serum samples were obtained from all study participants to assay serum thiols, AOPP, protein carbonyls and nitrates/nitrites. Concentrations of serum protein carbonyl groups and AOPP were higher in leiomyoma patients than in the control group (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). By contrast, serum thiol levels were lower in leiomyoma patients (p<0.001). We found positive correlations between serum AOPP concentrations and total fibroids weight (r=0.339; p=0.028), serum AOPP and serum protein carbonyls with duration of infertility (r=0.762; p=0.006 and r=0.683; p=0.021, respectively). Conclusions/Significance This study, for the first time, reveals a significant increase of protein oxidative stress status and reduced antioxidant capacity in sera from women with uterine leiomyoma. PMID:23951284

  14. A crucial role for thiol antioxidants in estrogen-deficiency bone loss

    PubMed Central

    Lean, Jenny M.; Davies, Julie T.; Fuller, Karen; Jagger, Christopher J.; Kirstein, Barrie; Partington, Geoffrey A.; Urry, Zoë L.; Chambers, Timothy J.

    2003-01-01

    The mechanisms through which estrogen prevents bone loss are uncertain. Elsewhere, estrogen exerts beneficial actions by suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS stimulate osteoclasts, the cells that resorb bone. Thus, estrogen might prevent bone loss by enhancing oxidant defenses in bone. We found that glutathione and thioredoxin, the major thiol antioxidants, and glutathione and thioredoxin reductases, the enzymes responsible for maintaining them in a reduced state, fell substantially in rodent bone marrow after ovariectomy and were rapidly normalized by exogenous 17-β estradiol. Moreover, administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or ascorbate, antioxidants that increase tissue glutathione levels, abolished ovariectomy-induced bone loss, while L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulphoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, caused substantial bone loss. The 17-β estradiol increased glutathione and glutathione and thioredoxin reductases in osteoclast-like cells in vitro. Furthermore, in vitro NAC prevented osteoclast formation and NF-κB activation. BSO and hydrogen peroxide did the opposite. Expression of TNF-α, a target for NF-κB and a cytokine strongly implicated in estrogen-deficiency bone loss, was suppressed in osteoclasts by 17-β estradiol and NAC. These observations strongly suggest that estrogen deficiency causes bone loss by lowering thiol antioxidants in osteoclasts. This directly sensitizes osteoclasts to osteoclastogenic signals and entrains ROS-enhanced expression of cytokines that promote osteoclastic bone resorption. PMID:12975476

  15. Redox regulation of mammalian sperm capacitation

    PubMed Central

    O’Flaherty, Cristian

    2015-01-01

    Capacitation is a series of morphological and metabolic changes necessary for the spermatozoon to achieve fertilizing ability. One of the earlier happenings during mammalian sperm capacitation is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that will trigger and regulate a series of events including protein phosphorylation, in a time-dependent fashion. The identity of the sperm oxidase responsible for the production of ROS involved in capacitation is still elusive, and several candidates are discussed in this review. Interestingly, ROS-induced ROS formation has been described during human sperm capacitation. Redox signaling during capacitation is associated with changes in thiol groups of proteins located on the plasma membrane and subcellular compartments of the spermatozoon. Both, oxidation of thiols forming disulfide bridges and the increase on thiol content are necessary to regulate different sperm proteins associated with capacitation. Reducing equivalents such as NADH and NADPH are necessary to support capacitation in many species including humans. Lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phospohate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase are responsible in supplying NAD (P) H for sperm capacitation. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are newly described enzymes with antioxidant properties that can protect mammalian spermatozoa; however, they are also candidates for assuring the regulation of redox signaling required for sperm capacitation. The dysregulation of PRDXs and of enzymes needed for their reactivation such as thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system and glutathione-S-transferases impairs sperm motility, capacitation, and promotes DNA damage in spermatozoa leading to male infertility. PMID:25926608

  16. 3-(2-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-2(3H)-thione as an ecofriendly sulphur transfer agent to prepare alkanethiols in high yield and high purity.

    PubMed

    Mehdid, Mohammed Amine; Djafri, Ayada; Roussel, Christian; Andreoli, Federico

    2009-11-12

    A new process is described for preparing very pure linear alkanethiols and linear alpha,omega-alkanedithiols using a sequential alkylation of the title compound, followed by a ring closure to quantitatively give the corresponding 3-methyl[1,3]thiazolo[3,2-a]-[3,1]benzimidazol-9-ium salt and the alkanethiol derivative under mild conditions. The alkanethiol and the heteroaromatic salt are easily separated by a simple extraction process. The intermediate thiazolium quaternary salts resulting from the first reaction step can be isolated in quantitative yields, affording an odourless protected form of the thiols.

  17. Backbone degradable multiblock N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide copolymer conjugates via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and thiol-ene coupling reaction.

    PubMed

    Pan, Huaizhong; Yang, Jiyuan; Kopecková, Pavla; Kopecek, Jindrich

    2011-01-10

    Telechelic water-soluble HPMA copolymers and HPMA copolymer-doxorubicin (DOX) conjugates have been synthesized by RAFT polymerization mediated by a new bifunctional chain transfer agent (CTA) that contains an enzymatically degradable oligopeptide sequence. Postpolymerization aminolysis followed by chain extension with a bis-maleimide resulted in linear high molecular weight multiblock HPMA copolymer conjugates. These polymers are enzymatically degradable; in addition to releasing the drug (DOX), the degradation of the polymer backbone resulted in products with molecular weights similar to the starting material and below the renal threshold. The new multiblock HPMA copolymers hold potential as new carriers of anticancer drugs.

  18. Thiols decrease cytokine levels and down-regulate the expression of CD30 on human allergen-specific T helper (Th) 0 and Th2 cells

    PubMed Central

    Bengtsson, Å; Lundberg, M; Avila-Cariño, J; Jacobsson, G; Holmgren, A; Scheynius, A

    2001-01-01

    The thiol antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), known as a precursor of glutathione (GSH), is used in AIDS treatment trials, as a chemoprotectant in cancer chemotherapy and in treatment of chronic bronchitis. In vitro, GSH and NAC are known to enhance T cell proliferation, production of IL-2 and up-regulation of the IL-2 receptor. The 120-kD CD30 surface antigen belongs to the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily. It is expressed by activated T helper (Th) cells and its expression is sustained in Th2 cells. We have analysed the effect of GSH and NAC on the cytokine profile and CD30 expression on human allergen-specific T cell clones (TCC). TCC were stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies in the presence of different concentrations of GSH and NAC. Both thiols caused a dose dependent down-regulation of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-γ levels in Th0 and Th2 clones, with the most pronounced decrease of IL-4. Furthermore, they down-regulated the surface expression of CD30, and the levels of soluble CD30 (sCD30) in the culture supernatants were decreased. In contrast, the surface expression of CD28 or CD40 ligand (CD40L) was not significantly changed after treatment with 20 mm NAC. These results indicate that GSH and NAC favour a Th1 response by a preferential down-regulation of IL-4. In addition, the expression of CD30 was down regulated by GSH and NAC, suggesting that CD30 expression is dependent on IL-4, or modified by NAC. In the likely event that CD30 and its soluble counterpart prove to contribute to the pathogenesis in Th2 related diseases such as allergy, NAC may be considered as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of these diseases. PMID:11298119

  19. Design strategies of fluorescent probes for selective detection among biothiols.

    PubMed

    Niu, Li-Ya; Chen, Yu-Zhe; Zheng, Hai-Rong; Wu, Li-Zhu; Tung, Chen-Ho; Yang, Qing-Zheng

    2015-10-07

    Simple thiol derivatives, such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), play key roles in biological processes, and the fluorescent probes to detect such thiols in vivo selectively with high sensitivity and fast response times are critical for understanding their numerous functions. However, the similar structures and reactivities of these thiols pose considerable challenges to the development of such probes. This review focuses on various strategies for the design of fluorescent probes for the selective detection of biothiols. We classify the fluorescent probes for discrimination among biothiols according to reaction types between the probes and thiols such as cyclization with aldehydes, conjugate addition-cyclization with acrylates, native chemical ligation, and aromatic substitution-rearrangement.

  20. Spray-deposition and photopolymerization of organic-inorganic thiol-ene resins for fabrication of superamphiphobic surfaces.

    PubMed

    Xiong, Li; Kendrick, Laken L; Heusser, Hannele; Webb, Jamie C; Sparks, Bradley J; Goetz, James T; Guo, Wei; Stafford, Christopher M; Blanton, Michael D; Nazarenko, Sergei; Patton, Derek L

    2014-07-09

    Superamphiphobic surfaces, exhibiting high contact angles and low contact angle hysteresis to both water and low surface tension liquids, have attracted a great deal attention in recent years because of the potential of these materials in practical applications such as liquid-resistant textiles, self-cleaning surfaces, and antifouling/anticorrosion coatings. In this work, we present a simple strategy for fabricating of superamphiphobic coatings based on photopolymerization of hybrid thiol-ene resins. Spray-deposition and UV photopolymerization of thiol-ene resins containing hydrophobic silica nanoparticles and perfluorinated thiols provide a multiscale topography and low-energy surface that endows the surface with superamphiphobicity. The wettability and chemical composition of the surfaces were characterized by contact-angle goniometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The hierarchical roughness features of the thiol-ene surfaces were investigated with field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Droplet impact and sandpaper abrasion tests indicate the coatings respectively possess a robust antiwetting behavior and good mechanical durability.

  1. Distribution and abundance of organic thiols

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, R.

    1985-01-01

    The role of glutathione (GSH) in protecting against the toxicity of oxygen and oxygen by products is well established for all eukaryotes studied except Entamoeba histolytica which lacks mitochrondria, chloroplasts, and microtubules. The GSH is not universal among prokaryotes. Entamoeba histolytica does not produce GSH or key enzymes of GSH metabolism. A general method of thiol analysis based upon fluorescent labeling with monobromobimane and HPLC separation of the resulting thiol derivatives was developed to determine the occurrence of GSH and other low molecular weight thiols in bacteria. Glutathione is the major thiol in cyanobacteria and in most bacteria closely related to the purple photosynthetic bacteria, but GSH was not found in archaebacteria, green bacteria, or GRAM positive bacteria. It suggested that glutathione metabolism was incorporated into eukaryotes at the time that mitochondria and chloroplasts were acquired by endosymbiosis. In Gram positive aerobes, coenzyme A occurs at millimolar levels and CoA disulfide reductases are identified. The CoA, rather than glutathione, may function in the oxygen detoxification processes of these organisms.

  2. Synchrotron radiation based STXM analysis and micro-XRF mapping of differential expression of extracellular thiol groups by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans grown on Fe(2+) and S(0).

    PubMed

    Xia, Jin-Lan; Liu, Hong-Chang; Nie, Zhen-Yuan; Peng, An-An; Zhen, Xiang-Jun; Yang, Yun; Zhang, Xiu-Li

    2013-09-01

    The differential expression of extracellular thiol groups by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans grown on substrates Fe(2+) and S(0) was investigated by using synchrotron radiation based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) imaging and microbeam X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) mapping. The extracellular thiol groups (SH) were first alkylated by iodoacetic acid forming Protein-SCH2COOH and then the P-SCH2COOH was marked by calcium ions forming P-SCH2COOCa. The STXM imaging and μ-XRF mapping of SH were based on analysis of SCH2COO-bonded Ca(2+). The results indicated that the thiol group content of A. ferrooxidans grown on S(0) is 3.88 times to that on Fe(2+). Combined with selective labeling of SH by Ca(2+), the STXM imaging and μ-XRF mapping provided an in situ and rapid analysis of differential expression of extracellular thiol groups. © 2013.

  3. An excited state intramolecular proton transfer dye based fluorescence turn-on probe for fast detection of thiols and its applications in bioimaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Yun; Xue, Yuanyuan; Li, Haoyang; Zhu, Ruitao; Ren, Yuehong; Shi, Qinghua; Wang, Song; Guo, Wei

    2017-03-01

    In this study, a new fluorescent probe 2-(2‧-hydroxy-5‧-N-maleimide phenyl)-benzothiazole (probe 1), was designed and synthesized by linking the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fluorophore to the maleimide group for selective detection of thiols in aqueous solution. The fluorescence of probe 1 is strongly quenched by maleimide group through the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism, but after reaction with thiol, the fluorescence of ESIPT fluorophore is restored, affording a large Stokes shifts. Upon addition of cysteine (Cys), probe 1 exhibited a fast response time (complete within 30 s) and a high signal-to-noise ratio (up to 23-fold). It showed a high selectivity and excellent sensitivity to thiols over other relevant biological species, with a detection limit of 3.78 × 10- 8 M (S/N = 3). Moreover, the probe was successfully applied to the imaging of thiols in living cells.

  4. Photogenerated Lectin Sensors Produced by Thiol-Ene/Yne Photo-Click Chemistry in Aqueous Solution

    PubMed Central

    Norberg, Oscar; Lee, Irene H.; Aastrup, Teodor; Yan, Mingdi; Ramström, Olof

    2012-01-01

    The photoinitiated radical reactions between thiols and alkenes/alkynes (thiol-ene and thiol-yne chemistry) have been applied to a functionalization methodology to produce carbohydrate-presenting surfaces for analyses of biomolecular interactions. Polymer-coated quartz surfaces were functionalized with alkenes or alkynes in a straightforward photochemical procedure utilizing perfluorophenylazide (PFPA) chemistry. The alkene/alkyne surfaces were subsequently allowed to react with carbohydrate thiols in water under UV-irradiation. The reaction can be carried out in a drop of water directly on the surface without photoinitiator and any disulfide side products were easily washed away after the functionalization process. The resulting carbohydrate-presenting surfaces were evaluated in real-time studies of protein-carbohydrate interactions using a quartz crystal microbalance flow-through system with recurring injections of selected lectins with intermediate regeneration steps using low pH buffer. The resulting methodology proved fast, efficient and scalable to high-throughput analysis formats, and the produced surfaces showed significant protein binding with expected selectivities of the lectins used in the study. PMID:22341757

  5. Influence of Torulaspora delbrueckii in varietal thiol (3-SH and 4-MSP) release in wine sequential fermentations.

    PubMed

    Belda, Ignacio; Ruiz, Javier; Beisert, Beata; Navascués, Eva; Marquina, Domingo; Calderón, Fernando; Rauhut, Doris; Benito, Santiago; Santos, Antonio

    2017-09-18

    In last years, non-Saccharomyces yeasts have emerged as innovative tools to improve wine quality, being able to modify the concentration of sensory-impact compounds. Among them, varietal thiols released by yeasts, play a key role in the distinctive aroma of certain white wines. In this context, Torulaspora delbrueckii is in the spotlight because of its positive contribution to several wine quality parameters. This work studies the physiological properties of an industrial T. delbrueckii strain, for the production of wines with increased thiol concentrations. IRC7 gene, previously described in S. cerevisiae, has been identified in T. delbrueckii, establishing the genetics basis of its thiol-releasing capability. Fermentations involving T. delbrueckii showed improvements on several parameters (such as glycerol content, ethanol index, and major volatile compounds composition), but especially on thiols release. These results confirm the potential of T. delbrueckii on wine improvement, describing new metabolic features regarding the release of cysteinylated aroma precursors. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Odorant Screening and Quantitation of Thiols in Carmenere Red Wine by Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry and Stable Isotope Dilution Assays.

    PubMed

    Pavez, Carolina; Agosin, Eduardo; Steinhaus, Martin

    2016-05-04

    The sensory impact of thiols in Vitis vinifera 'Carmenere' red wines was evaluated. For this purpose, aroma extract dilution analysis was applied to the thiols isolated from a Carmenere red wine by affinity chromatography with a mercurated agarose gel. Results revealed the presence of four odorants, identified as 2-furanylmethanethiol, 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate, 3-sulfanyl-1-hexanol, and 2-methyl-3-sulfanyl-1-butanol, with the latter being described here for the first time in Carmenere red wines. Quantitation of the four thiols in the Carmenere wine screened by aroma extract dilution analysis and in three additional Carmenere wines by stable isotope dilution assays resulted in concentrations above the respective orthonasal odor detection threshold values. Triangle tests applied to wine model solutions with and without the addition of the four thiols showed significant differences, thus suggesting that the compounds do have the potential to influence the overall aroma of red wine.

  7. Spectroscopic Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens: Suppression using Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations of Bismuth Thiols

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

    Badireddy, Appala R.; Korpol, Bhoom Reddy; Chellam, Shankararaman

    2008-10-21

    Free and capsular EPS produced by Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens were characterized in detail using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Total EPS production decreased upon treatment with sub-inhibitory concentrations of lipophilic bismuth thiols (bismuth dimercaptopropanol, BisBAL; bismuth ethanedithiol, BisEDT; and bismuth pyrithione, BisPYR), BisBAL being most effective. Bismuth thiols also influenced acetylation and carboxylation of polysaccharides in EPS from S. marcescens. Extensive homology between EPS samples in the presence and absence of bismuth was observed with proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids varying predominantly only in the total amount expressed. Secondmore » derivative analysis of the amide I region of FTIR spectra revealed decreases in protein secondary structures in the presence of bismuth thiols. Hence, anti-fouling properties of bismuth thiols appear to originate in their ability to suppress O-acetylation and protein secondary structures in addition to total EPS secretion.« less

  8. Purification and characterization of multiple forms of the pineapple-stem-derived cysteine proteinases ananain and comosain.

    PubMed Central

    Napper, A D; Bennett, S P; Borowski, M; Holdridge, M B; Leonard, M J; Rogers, E E; Duan, Y; Laursen, R A; Reinhold, B; Shames, S L

    1994-01-01

    A mixture of ananain (EC 3.4.22.31) and comosain purified from crude pineapple stem extract was found to contain numerous closely related enzyme forms. Chromatographic separation of the major enzyme forms was achieved after treatment of the mixture with thiol-modifying reagents: reversible modification with 2-hydroxyethyl disulphide provided enzyme for kinetic studies, and irreversible alkylation with bromotrifluoroacetone or iodoacetamide gave enzyme for structural analyses by 19F-n.m.r. and electrospray mass spectrometry respectively. Structural and kinetic analyses revealed comosain to be closely related to stem bromelain (EC 3.4.22.32), whereas ananain differed markedly from both comosain and stem bromelain. Nevertheless, differences were seen between comosain and stem bromelain in amino acid composition and kinetic specificity towards the epoxide inhibitor E-64. Differences between five isolatable alternative forms of ananain were characterized by amidolytic activity, thiol stoichiometry and accurate mass determinations. Three of the enzyme forms displayed ananain-like amidolytic activity, whereas the other two forms were inactive. Thiol-stoichiometry determinations revealed that the active enzyme forms contained one free thiol, whereas the inactive forms lacked the reactive thiol required for enzyme activity. M.s. provided direct evidence for oxidation of the active-site thiol to the corresponding sulphinic acid. Images Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:8053898

  9. Relationship between Extracellular Low-Molecular-Weight Thiols and Mercury Species in Natural Lake Periphytic Biofilms.

    PubMed

    Leclerc, Maxime; Planas, Dolors; Amyot, Marc

    2015-07-07

    The uptake of mercury by microorganisms is a key step in the production of methylmercury, a biomagnifiable toxin. Mercury complexation by low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols can affect its bioavailability and thus the production of methylmercury. Freshwater biofilms were sampled in the summer using artificial Teflon substrates submerged for over a year to allow natural community colonization in the littoral zone of a Boreal Shield lake. Inside biofilms, concentrations of different extracellular thiol species (thioglycolic acid, l-cysteine-l-glycine, cysteine, and glutathione) were up to 3 orders of magnitude greater than in the surrounding water column, potentially more readily controlling mercury speciation than in the water column. All biofilm thiols except thioglycolic acid were highly correlated to chlorophyll a, likely indicating an algal origin. Extracellular total mercury represented 3 ± 1% of all biofilm mercury and was preferentially found in the capsular fraction. Levels of LMW thiols of presumed algal origins were highly correlated with total mercury in the mobile colloidal fraction of biofilms. We propose that periphytic phototrophic microorganisms such as algae likely affect the bioavailability of mercury through the exudation of LMW thiols, and thus they may play a key role in the production of methylmercury in biofilms.

  10. Striped gold nanoparticles: New insights from molecular dynamics simulations

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

    Velachi, Vasumathi, E-mail: vasuphy@gmail.com; Cordeiro, M. Natália D. S., E-mail: ncordeir@fc.up.pt; Bhandary, Debdip

    Recent simulations have improved our knowledge of the molecular-level structure and hydration properties of mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with equal and unequal alkyl thiols at three different arrangements, namely, random, patchy, and Janus. In our previous work [V. Vasumathi et al., J. Phys. Chem. C 119, 3199–3209 (2015)], we showed that the bending of longer thiols over shorter ones clearly depends on the thiols’ arrangements and chemical nature of their terminal groups. In addition, such a thiol bending revealed to have a strong impact on the structural and hydration properties of SAMs coated on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In this paper,more » we extend our previous atomistic simulation study to investigate the bending of longer thiols by increasing the stripe thickness of mixed SAMs of equal and unequal lengths coated on AuNPs. We study also the effect of stripe thickness on the structural morphology and hydration of the coated SAMs. Our results show that the structural and hydration properties of SAMs are affected by the stripe thickness for mixtures of alkyl thiols with unequal chain length but not for equal length. Hence, the stability of the stripe configuration depends on the alkyl’s chain length, the length difference between the thiol mixtures, and solvent properties.« less

  11. Thiol-Based Redox Switches and Gene Regulation

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Abstract Cysteine is notable among the universal, proteinogenic amino acids for its facile redox chemistry. Cysteine thiolates are readily modified by reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive electrophilic species (RES), and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Although thiol switches are commonly triggered by disulfide bond formation, they can also be controlled by S-thiolation, S-alkylation, or modification by RNS. Thiol-based switches are common in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and activate functions that detoxify reactive species and restore thiol homeostasis while repressing functions that would be deleterious if expressed under oxidizing conditions. Here, we provide an overview of the best-understood examples of thiol-based redox switches that affect gene expression. Intra- or intermolecular disulfide bond formation serves as a direct regulatory switch for several bacterial transcription factors (OxyR, OhrR/2-Cys, Spx, YodB, CrtJ, and CprK) and indirectly regulates others (the RsrA anti-σ factor and RegB sensory histidine kinase). In eukaryotes, thiol-based switches control the yeast Yap1p transcription factor, the Nrf2/Keap1 electrophile and oxidative stress response, and the Chlamydomonas NAB1 translational repressor. Collectively, these regulators reveal a remarkable range of chemical modifications exploited by Cys residues to effect changes in gene expression. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 1049—1063. PMID:20626317

  12. Thiol-Disulfide Exchange in Peptides Derived from Human Growth Hormone

    PubMed Central

    Chandrasekhar, Saradha; Epling, Daniel E.; Sophocleous, Andreas M.; Topp, Elizabeth M.

    2014-01-01

    Disulfide bonds stabilize proteins by crosslinking distant regions into a compact three-dimensional structure. They can also participate in hydrolytic and oxidative pathways to form non-native disulfide bonds and other reactive species. Such covalent modifications can contribute to protein aggregation. Here we present experimental data for the mechanism of thiol-disulfide exchange in tryptic peptides derived from human growth hormone in aqueous solution. Reaction kinetics were monitored to investigate the effect of pH (6.0-10.0), temperature (4-50 °C), oxidation suppressants (EDTA and N2 sparging) and peptide secondary structure (amide cyclized vs. open form). The concentrations of free thiol containing peptides, scrambled disulfides and native disulfide-linked peptides generated via thiol-disulfide exchange and oxidation reactions were determined using RP-HPLC and LC-MS. Concentration vs. time data were fitted to a mathematical model using non-linear least squares regression analysis. At all pH values, the model was able to fit the data with R2≥0.95. Excluding oxidation suppressants (EDTA and N2 sparging) resulted in an increase in the formation of scrambled disulfides via oxidative pathways but did not influence the intrinsic rate of thiol-disulfide exchange. In addition, peptide secondary structure was found to influence the rate of thiol-disulfide exchange. PMID:24549831

  13. A periodic mixed gaussians-plane waves DFT study on simple thiols on Au(111): adsorbate species, surface reconstruction, and thiols functionalization.

    PubMed

    Rajaraman, Gopalan; Caneschi, Andrea; Gatteschi, Dante; Totti, Federico

    2011-03-07

    Here we present DFT calculations based on a periodic mixed gaussians/plane waves approach to study the energetics, structure, bonding of SAMs of simple thiols on Au(111). Several open issues such as structure, bonding and the nature of adsorbate are taken into account. We started with methyl thiols (MeSH) on Au(111) to establish the nature of the adsorbate. We have considered several structural models embracing the reconstructed surface scenario along with the MeS˙-Au(ad)-MeS˙ type motif put forward in recent years. Our calculations suggest a clear preference for the homolytic cleavage of the S-H bond leading to a stable MeS˙ on a gold surface. In agreement with the recent literature studies, the reconstructed models of the MeS˙ species are found to be energetically preferred over unreconstructed models. Besides, our calculations reveal that the model with 1:2 Au(ad)/thiols ratio, i.e. MeS˙-Au(ad)-MeS˙, is energetically preferred compared to the clean and 1:1 ratio models, in agreement with the experimental and theoretical evidences. We have also performed Molecular Orbital/Natural Bond Orbital, MO/NBO, analysis to understand the electronic structure and bonding in different structural motifs and many useful insights have been gained. Finally, the studies have then been extended to alkyl thiols of the RSR' (R, R' = Me, Et and Ph) type and here our calculations again reveal a preference for the RS˙ type species adsorption for clean as well as for reconstructed 1:2 Au(ad)/thiols ratio models.

  14. Redox regulation of mitochondrial proteins and proteomes by cysteine thiol switches.

    PubMed

    Nietzel, Thomas; Mostertz, Jörg; Hochgräfe, Falko; Schwarzländer, Markus

    2017-03-01

    Mitochondria are hotspots of cellular redox biochemistry. Respiration as a defining mitochondrial function is made up of a series of electron transfers that are ultimately coupled to maintaining the proton motive force, ATP production and cellular energy supply. The individual reaction steps involved require tight control and flexible regulation to maintain energy and redox balance in the cell under fluctuating demands. Redox regulation by thiol switching has been a long-standing candidate mechanism to support rapid adjustment of mitochondrial protein function at the posttranslational level. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of cysteine thiol switches in the mitochondrial proteome with a focus on their operation in vivo. We assess the conceptual basis for thiol switching in mitochondria and discuss to what extent insights gained from in vitro studies may be valid in vivo, considering thermodynamic, kinetic and structural constraints. We compare functional proteomic approaches that have been used to assess mitochondrial protein thiol switches, including thioredoxin trapping, redox difference gel electrophoresis (redoxDIGE), isotope-coded affinity tag (OxICAT) and iodoacetyl tandem mass tag (iodoTMT) labelling strategies. We discuss conditions that may favour active thiol switching in mitochondrial proteomes in vivo, and appraise recent advances in dissecting their impact using combinations of in vivo redox sensing and quantitative redox proteomics. Finally we focus on four central facets of mitochondrial biology, aging, carbon metabolism, energy coupling and electron transport, exemplifying the current emergence of a mechanistic understanding of mitochondrial regulation by thiol switching in living plants and animals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved.

  15. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of gold nanoparticles functionalized with amine-terminated alkanethiols

    PubMed Central

    Techane, Sirnegeda D.; Gamble, Lara J.; Castner, David G.

    2011-01-01

    Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with a short chain amine-terminated alkanethiol (HS-(CH2)2NH2 or C2 NH2-thiol) are prepared via a direct synthesis method and then ligand-exchanged with a long chain amine-terminated alkanethiol (HS-(CH2)11NH2 or C11 NH2-thiol). Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed the AuNPs were relatively spherical with a median diameter of 24.2±4.3 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to determine surface chemistry of the functionalized and purified AuNPs. The ligand-exchange process was monitored within the time range from 30 min to 61 days. By the fourth day of exchange all the C2 NH2-thiol molecules had been replaced by C11 NH2-thiol molecules. C11 NH2-thiol molecules continued to be incorporated into the C11 NH2 self-assembled monolayer between days 4 and 14 of ligand-exchange. As the length of the exchange time increased, the functionalized AuNPs became more stable against aggregation. The samples were purified by a centrifugation and resuspension method. The C2 NH2 covered AuNPs aggregated immediately when purification was attempted. The C11 NH2 covered AuNPs could be purified with minimal or no aggregation. Small amounts of unbound thiol (∼15%) and oxidized sulfur (∼20%) species were detected on the ligand-exchanged AuNPs. Some of the unbound thiol and all of the oxidized sulfur could be removed by treating the functionalized AuNPs with HCl. PMID:21974680

  16. Modulation of homocysteine toxicity by S-nitrosothiol formation: a mechanistic approach.

    PubMed

    Morakinyo, Moshood K; Strongin, Robert M; Simoyi, Reuben H

    2010-08-05

    The metabolic conversion of homocysteine (HCYSH) to homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) has been reported as the major cause of HCYSH pathogenesis. It was hypothesized that inhibition of the thiol group of HCYSH by S-nitrosation will prevent its metabolic conversion to HTL. The kinetics, reaction dynamics, and mechanism of reaction of HCYSH and nitrous acid to produce S-nitrosohomocysteine (HCYSNO) was studied in mildly to highly acidic pHs. Transnitrosation of this non-protein-forming amino acid by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) was also studied at physiological pH 7.4 in phosphate buffer. In both cases, HCYSNO formed quantitatively. Copper ions were found to play dual roles, catalyzing the rate of formation of HCYSNO as well as its rate of decomposition. In the presence of a transition-metal ions chelator, HCYSNO was very stable with a half-life of 198 h at pH 7.4. Nitrosation by nitrous acid occurred via the formation of more powerful nitrosating agents, nitrosonium cation (NO(+)) and dinitrogen trioxide (N(2)O(3)). In highly acidic environments, NO(+) was found to be the most effective nitrosating agent with a first-order dependence on nitrous acid. N(2)O(3) was the most relevant nitrosating agent in a mildly acidic environment with a second-order dependence on nitrous acid. The bimolecular rate constants for the direct reactions of HCYSH and nitrous acid, N(2)O(3), and NO(+) were 9.0 x 10(-2), 9.50 x 10(3), and 6.57 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. These rate constant values agreed with the electrophilic order of these nitrosating agents: HNO(2) < N(2)O(3) < NO(+). Transnitrosation of HCYSH by GSNO produced HCYSNO and other products including glutathione (reduced and oxidized) and homocysteine-glutathione mixed disulfide. A computer modeling involving eight reactions gave a good fit to the observed formation kinetics of HCYSNO. This study has shown that it is possible to modulate homocysteine toxicity by preventing its conversion to a more toxic HTL by S-nitrosation.

  17. Depletion of Intracellular Thiols and Increased Production of 4-Hydroxynonenal that Occur During Cryopreservation of Stallion Spermatozoa Lead to Caspase Activation, Loss of Motility, and Cell Death.

    PubMed

    Martin Muñoz, Patricia; Ortega Ferrusola, Cristina; Vizuete, Guillermo; Plaza Dávila, Maria; Rodriguez Martinez, Heriberto; Peña, Fernando J

    2015-12-01

    Oxidative stress has been linked to sperm death and the accelerated senescence of cryopreserved spermatozoa. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain poorly understood. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered relevant signaling molecules for sperm function, only becoming detrimental when ROS homeostasis is lost. We hereby hypothesize that a major component of the alteration of ROS homeostasis in cryopreserved spermatozoa is the exhaustion of intrinsic antioxidant defense mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, semen from seven stallions was frozen using a standard technique. The parameters of sperm quality (motility, velocity, and membrane integrity) and markers of sperm senescence (caspase 3, 4-hydroxynonenal, and mitochondrial membrane potential) were assessed before and after cryopreservation. Changes in the intracellular thiol content were also monitored. Cryopreservation caused significant increases in senescence markers as well as dramatic depletion of intracellular thiols to less than half of the initial values (P < 0.001) postthaw. Interestingly, very high and positive correlations were observed among thiol levels with sperm functionality postthaw: total motility (r = 0.931, P < 0.001), progressive motility (r = 0.904, P < 0.001), and percentage of live spermatozoa without active caspase 3 (r = 0.996, P < 0.001). In contrast, negative correlations were detected between active caspase 3 and thiol content both in living (r = -0.896) and dead (r = -0.940) spermatozoa; additionally, 4-hydroxynonenal levels were negatively correlated with thiol levels (r = -0.856). In conclusion, sperm functionality postthaw correlates with the maintenance of adequate levels of intracellular thiols. The accelerated senescence of thawed spermatozoa is related to oxidative and electrophilic stress induced by increased production of 4-hydroxynoneal in thawed samples once intracellular thiols are depleted. © 2015 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

  18. Hydrogen-atom tunneling through a very high barrier; spontaneous thiol → thione conversion in thiourea isolated in low-temperature Ar, Ne, H2 and D2 matrices.

    PubMed

    Rostkowska, Hanna; Lapinski, Leszek; Nowak, Maciej J

    2018-05-23

    Spontaneous thiol → thione hydrogen-atom transfer has been investigated for molecules of thiourea trapped in Ar, Ne, normal-H2 (n-H2) and normal-D2 (n-D2) low-temperature matrices. The most stable thione isomer was the only form of the compound present in the matrices after their deposition. According to MP2/6-311++G(2d,p) calculations, the thiol tautomer should be higher in energy by 62.5 kJ mol-1. This less stable thiol form of the compound was photochemically generated in a thione → thiol process, occurring upon UV irradiation of the matrix. Subsequently, a very slow spontaneous conversion of the thiol tautomer into the thione form was observed for the molecules isolated in Ar, Ne, n-H2 and n-D2 matrices kept at 3.5 K and in the dark. Since the thiol → thione transformation in thiourea is a process involving the dissociation of a chemical bond, the barrier for this hydrogen-atom transfer is very high (104-181 kJ mol-1). Crossing such a high potential-energy barrier at a temperature as low as 3.5 K, is possible only by hydrogen-atom tunneling. The experimentally measured time constants of this tunneling process: 52 h (Ar), 76 h (Ne), 94 h (n-H2) and 94 h (n-D2), do not differ much from one another. Hence, the dependence of the tunneling rate on the matrix environment is not drastic. The progress of the thiol → thione conversion was also monitored for Ar matrices at different temperature: 3.5 K, 9 K and 15 K. For this temperature range, the experiments revealed no detectable temperature dependence of the rate of the tunneling process.

  19. N-acetylcysteine does not influence the activity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in vivo.

    PubMed

    Creager, M A; Roddy, M A; Boles, K; Stamler, J S

    1997-02-01

    Nitric oxide forms complexes with an array of biomolecular carriers that retain biological activity. This reactivity of nitric oxide in physiological systems has led to some dispute as to whether endothelium-derived relaxing factors nitric oxide or a closely related adduct thereof, such as a nitrosothiol. In vitro bioassays used to address this question are limited by the exclusion of biological thiols that are requisite for nitrosothiol formation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to obtain insight into the identity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in vivo. We reasoned that if endothelium-derived relaxing factor in nitric oxide, infusion of physiological concentrations of thiol would potentiate its bioactivity by analogy with effects seen in vitro, whereas nitrosothiol would be resistant to such modulation. We used venous-occlusion plethysmography to study forearm blood flow in normal subjects. Methacholine (0.3 to 10 micrograms/min) and nitroglycerin (1 to 30 micrograms/min) were infused via the brachial artery to elicit endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation, respectively. Dose-response determinations were made for each drug before and after an intra-arterial infusion of the reduced thiol, N-acetylcysteine, at rates estimated to achieve a physiological concentration of 1 mmol/L. Methacholine increased forearm blood flow in a dose-dependent manner. Infusion of N-acetylcysteine did not change the sensitivity (ED50, 1.7 versus 1.7 micrograms/min, P = NS) or maximal response to methacholine. In contrast, thiol increased the sensitivity to nitroglycerin (ED50, 4.7 versus 2.8 micrograms/min, P < .01). Thus, conflicting with reports in vitro, thiol does not modulate endothelium-derived relaxing factor responses in vivo. These data indicate that sulfhydryl groups are not a limiting factor for endothelium-derived relaxing factor responses in forearm resistance vessels in normal humans and are in keeping with reports that nitrosothiol contributes to endothelium-derived relaxing factor bioactivity in plasma and vascular smooth muscle. Potentiation of the effects of nitroglycerin by N-acetylcysteine can be attributed to its enhanced biotransformation to an endothelium-derived relaxing factor equivalent, such as nitrosothiol. These observations support the notion of an equilibrium between nitric oxide and nitrosothiol in biological systems that may be influenced by redox state.

  20. A novel intermediate in the reaction of seleno CYP119 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid.

    PubMed

    Sivaramakrishnan, Santhosh; Ouellet, Hugues; Du, Jing; McLean, Kirsty J; Medzihradszky, Katalin F; Dawson, John H; Munro, Andrew W; Ortiz de Montellano, Paul R

    2011-04-12

    Cytochrome P450-mediated monooxygenation generally proceeds via a reactive ferryl intermediate coupled to a ligand radical [Fe(IV)═O]+• termed Compound I (Cpd I). The proximal cysteine thiolate ligand is a critical determinant of the spectral and catalytic properties of P450 enzymes. To explore the effect of an increased level of donation of electrons by the proximal ligand in the P450 catalytic cycle, we recently reported successful incorporation of SeCys into the active site of CYP119, a thermophilic cytochrome P450. Here we report relevant physical properties of SeCYP119 and a detailed analysis of the reaction of SeCYP119 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Our results indicate that the selenolate anion reduces rather than stabilizes Cpd I and also protects the heme from oxidative destruction, leading to the generation of a new stable species with an absorbance maximum at 406 nm. This stable intermediate can be returned to the normal ferric state by reducing agents and thiols, in agreement with oxidative modification of the selenolate ligand itself. Thus, in the seleno protein, the oxidative damage shifts from the heme to the proximal ligand, presumably because (a) an increased level of donation of electrons more efficiently quenches reactive species such as Cpd I and (b) the protection of the thiolate ligand provided by the protein active site structure is insufficient to shield the more oxidizable selenolate ligand.

  1. Occurrence of low molecular weight thiols in biological systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fahey, Robert C.; Newton, Gerald L.

    1983-01-01

    Bromobimane labeling and high performance chromatography analysis were applied to various species of bacteria, plant tissues, and animal tissues. The reaction between thiols and monobromobimane is studied. Chromatograms revealing peaks produced by nonthiols and thiols are analyzed and compared. It is observed that all the bacteria species contain hydrogen sulfide, and glutathione is contained in facultative and aerobic gram-negative bacteria. For the plant tissues, the data reveal that mung bean sprouts contain homoglutathione and no glutathione; alfalfa sprouts contain homoglutathione and glutathione; the pea seed, nonlegumes, and fungi contain glutathione and no homoglutathione. It is detected that the main thiol in the animal tissues is glutathione. Based on the data, it is suggested that glutathione has an essential function in higher organisms.

  2. Toposelective electrochemical desorption of thiol SAMs from neighboring polycrystalline gold surfaces.

    PubMed

    Tencer, Michal; Berini, Pierre

    2008-11-04

    We describe a method for the selective desorption of thiol self-assembled monolayers from gold surfaces having micrometer-scale separations on a substrate. In an electrolyte solution, the electrical resistance between the adjacent areas can be much lower than the resistance between a surface and the counter electrode. Also, both reductive and oxidative thiol desorption may occur. Therefore, the potentials of the surfaces must be independently controlled with a multichannel potentiostat and operating windows for a given thiol/electrolyte system must be established. In this study operating windows were established for 1-dodecanethiol-based SAMs in phosphate buffer, phosphate-buffered saline, and sodium hydroxide solution, and selective SAM removal was successfully performed in a four-electrode configuration.

  3. The promising anticancer drug 3-bromopyruvate is metabolized through glutathione conjugation which affects chemoresistance and clinical practice: An evidence-based view.

    PubMed

    El Sayed, Salah Mohamed; Baghdadi, Hussam; Zolaly, Mohammed; Almaramhy, Hamdi H; Ayat, Mongi; Donki, Jagadish G

    2017-03-01

    3-Bromopyruvate (3BP) is a promising effective anticancer drug against many different tumors in children and adults. 3BP exhibited strong anticancer effects in both preclinical and human studies e.g. energy depletion, oxidative stress, anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastatic effects, targeting cancer stem cells and antagonizing the Warburg effect. There is no report about 3BP metabolism to guide researchers and oncologists to improve clinical practice and prevent drug resistance. In this article, we provide evidences that 3BP is metabolized through glutathione (GSH) conjugation as a novel report where 3BP was confirmed to be attached to GSH followed by permanent loss of pharmacological effects in a picture similar to cisplatin. Both cisplatin and 3BP are alkylating agents. Reported decrease in endogenous cellular GSH content upon 3BP treatment was confirmed to be due to the formation of 3BP-GSH complex i.e. GSH consumption for conjugation with 3BP. Cancer cells having high endogenous GSH exhibit resistance to 3BP while 3BP sensitive cells acquire resistance upon adding exogenous GSH. Being a thiol blocker, 3BP may attack thiol groups in tissues and serum proteins e.g. albumin and GSH. That may decrease 3BP-induced anticancer effects and the functions of those proteins. We proved here that 3BP metabolism is different from metabolism of hydroxypyruvate that results from metabolism of D-serine using D-amino acid oxidase. Clinically, 3BP administration should be monitored during albumin infusion and protein therapy where GSH should be added to emergency medications. GSH exerts many physiological effects and is safe for human administration both orally and intravenously. Based on that, reported GSH-induced inhibition of 3BP effects makes 3BP effects reversible, easily monitored and easily controlled. This confers a superiority of 3BP over many anticancer agents. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Labelling of living mammalian spermatozoa with the fluorescent thiol alkylating agent, monobromobimane (MB): immobilization upon exposure to ultraviolet light and analysis of acrosomal status

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

    Cummins, J.M.; Fleming, A.D.; Crozet, N.

    1986-03-01

    Living spermatozoa of seven mammalian species were treated with the thiol-alkylating fluorescent labelling compound, monobromobimane (MBBR). MB-labelling alone had no effect on sperm motility, nor on the time course or ability of golden hamster spermatozoa to undergo the acrosome reaction when capacitated in vitro. Exposure of MB-labelled spermatozoa to ultraviolet (UV) light and excitation of the MB fluorochrome resulted in virtually immediate immobilization of the spermatozoa without affecting acrosomal status. UV exposure of unlabelled spermatozoa for up to 30 sec had no effect upon motility. Immobilization of MB-labelled spermatozoa depended on the midpiece being irradiated, as irradiation of the headmore » alone, or of the more distal parts of the principal piece, had little or no effect upon motility. Labelling with MB followed by immobilization of individually selected spermatozoa was most useful for detailing the course and site of occurrence of the acrosome reaction during penetration of the cumulus oophorus by golden hamster spermatozoa in vitro. In these often hyperactivated spermatozoa, precise determination of the acrosomal status could not often otherwise be made due to the difficulty in visualizing the acrosomal region of a vigorously thrashing, hyperactivated spermatozoon. This technique should prove valuable in a variety of studies on sperm motility, capacitation and fertilization, and could also be extended to other cell systems.« less

  5. Monodisperse hexagonal silver nanoprisms: synthesis via thiolate-protected cluster precursors and chiral, ligand-imprinted self-assembly.

    PubMed

    Cathcart, Nicole; Kitaev, Vladimir

    2011-09-27

    Silver nanoprisms of a predominantly hexagonal shape have been prepared using a ligand combination of a strongly binding thiol, captopril, and charge-stabilizing citrate together with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidative etching agent and a strong base that triggered nanoprism formation. The role of the reagents and their interplay in the nanoprism synthesis is discussed in detail. The beneficial role of chloride ions to attain a high degree of reproducibility and monodispersity of the nanoprisms is elucidated. Control over the nanoprism width, thickness, and, consequently, plasmon resonance in the system has been demonstrated. One of the crucial factors in the nanoprism synthesis was the slow, controlled aggregation of thiolate-stabilized silver nanoclusters as the intermediates. The resulting superior monodispersity (better than ca. 10% standard deviation in lateral size and ca. 15% standard deviation in thickness (<1 nm variation)) and charge stabilization of the produced silver nanoprisms enabled the exploration of the rich diversity of the self-assembled morphologies in the system. Regular columnar assemblies of the self-assembled nanoprisms spanning 2-3 μm in length have been observed. Notably, the helicity of the columnar phases was evident, which can be attributed to the chirality of the strongly binding thiol ligand. Finally, the enhancement of Raman scattering has been observed after oxidative removal of thiolate ligands from the AgNPR surface. © 2011 American Chemical Society

  6. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with 3-Mercapto-1-Propansulfonate and 1-Thioglucose Mixed Thiols for Antibacterial Applications

    PubMed Central

    Porcaro, Francesco; Carlini, Laura; Ugolini, Andrea; Visaggio, Daniela; Visca, Paolo; Fratoddi, Ilaria; Venditti, Iole; Meneghini, Carlo; Simonelli, Laura; Marini, Carlo; Olszewski, Wojciech; Ramanan, Nitya; Luisetto, Igor; Battocchio, Chiara

    2016-01-01

    The synthesis, characterization and assessment of the antibacterial properties of hydrophilic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were investigated with the aim to probe their suitability for innovative applications in the field of nanobiotechnology. First, silver nanoparticles were synthetized and functionalized with two capping agents, namely 3-mercapto-1-propansulfonate (3MPS) and 1-β-thio-d-glucose (TG). The investigation of the structural and electronic properties of the nano-systems was carried out by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). XPS data provided information about the system stability and the interactions between the metallic surface and the organic ligands. In addition, XPS data allowed us to achieve a deep understanding of the influence of the thiols stoichiometric ratio on the electronic properties and stability of AgNPs. In order to shed light on the structural and electronic local properties at Ag atoms sites, XAS at Ag K-Edge was successfully applied; furthermore, the combination of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and XAS results allowed determining AgNPs sizes, ranging between 3 and 13 nm. Finally, preliminary studies on the antibacterial properties of AgNPs showed promising results on four of six multidrug-resistant bacteria belonging to the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp.). PMID:28774148

  7. Topology of OxlT, the oxalate transporter of Oxalobacter formigenes, determined by site-directed fluorescence labeling.

    PubMed

    Ye, L; Jia, Z; Jung, T; Maloney, P C

    2001-04-01

    The topology of OxlT, the oxalate:formate exchange protein of Oxalobacter formigenes, was established by site-directed fluorescence labeling, a simple strategy that generates topological information in the context of the intact protein. Accessibility of cysteine to the fluorescent thiol-directed probe Oregon green maleimide (OGM) was examined for a panel of 34 single-cysteine variants, each generated in a His(9)-tagged cysteine-less host. The reaction with OGM was readily scored by examining the fluorescence profile after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of material purified by Ni2+ linked affinity chromatography. A position was assigned an external location if its single-cysteine derivative reacted with OGM added to intact cells; a position was designated internal if OGM labeling required cell lysis. We also showed that labeling of external, but not internal, positions was blocked by prior exposure of cells to the impermeable and nonfluorescent thiol-specific agent ethyltrimethylammonium methanethiosulfonate. Of the 34 positions examined in this way, 29 were assigned unambiguously to either an internal or external location; 5 positions could not be assigned, since the target cysteine failed to react with OGM. There was no evidence of false-positive assignment. Our findings document a simple and rapid method for establishing the topology of a membrane protein and show that OxlT has 12 transmembrane segments, confirming inferences from hydropathy analysis.

  8. Topology of OxlT, the Oxalate Transporter of Oxalobacter formigenes, Determined by Site-Directed Fluorescence Labeling

    PubMed Central

    Ye, Liwen; Jia, Zhenzhen; Jung, Thomas; Maloney, Peter C.

    2001-01-01

    The topology of OxlT, the oxalate:formate exchange protein of Oxalobacter formigenes, was established by site-directed fluorescence labeling, a simple strategy that generates topological information in the context of the intact protein. Accessibility of cysteine to the fluorescent thiol-directed probe Oregon green maleimide (OGM) was examined for a panel of 34 single-cysteine variants, each generated in a His9-tagged cysteine-less host. The reaction with OGM was readily scored by examining the fluorescence profile after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of material purified by Ni2+-linked affinity chromatography. A position was assigned an external location if its single-cysteine derivative reacted with OGM added to intact cells; a position was designated internal if OGM labeling required cell lysis. We also showed that labeling of external, but not internal, positions was blocked by prior exposure of cells to the impermeable and nonfluorescent thiol-specific agent ethyltrimethylammonium methanethiosulfonate. Of the 34 positions examined in this way, 29 were assigned unambiguously to either an internal or external location; 5 positions could not be assigned, since the target cysteine failed to react with OGM. There was no evidence of false-positive assignment. Our findings document a simple and rapid method for establishing the topology of a membrane protein and show that OxlT has 12 transmembrane segments, confirming inferences from hydropathy analysis. PMID:11274108

  9. A lysosome-targetable turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of thiols in living cells based on a 1,8-naphthalimide derivative

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Beibei; Wang, Baiyan; Ma, Qiujuan; Xie, Caixia; Li, Xian; Wang, Suiping

    2018-03-01

    Biological thiols, like cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH), play crucial roles in biological systems and in lysosomal processes. Highly selective probes for detecting biological thiols in lysomes of living cells are rare. In this work, a lysosome-targetable turn-on fluorescent probe for the detection of thiols in living cells was designed and synthesized based on a 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The probe has a 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine unit as a lysosome-targetable group and an acrylate group as the thiol recognition unit as well as a fluorescence quencher. In the absence of biothiols, the probe displayed weak fluorescence due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. Upon the addition of biothiols, the probe exhibited an enhanced fluorescence emission centered at 550 nm due to cleavage of the acrylate moiety. The probe had high selectivity toward biothiols. Moreover, the probe features fast response time, excitation in the visible region and ability of working in a wide pH range. The linear response range covers a concentration range of Cys from 1.5 × 10- 7 to 1.0 × 10- 5 mol·L- 1 and the detection limit is 6.9 × 10- 8 mol·L- 1 for Cys. The probe has been successfully applied to the confocal imaging of biothiols in lysosomes of A549 cells with low cell toxicity. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to the determination of thiols in a complex multicomponent mixture such as human serum, which suggests our proposed method has great potential for diagnostic purposes. All of such good properties prove it can be used to monitor biothiols in lysosomes of living cells and to be a good fluorescent probe for the selective detection of thiols.

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

    PubMed

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

    1994-02-01

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

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

    PubMed Central

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

    1994-01-01

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

  12. Dynamic Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Children and Adolescents with Non-Autoimmune Subclinical Hypothyroidism

    PubMed Central

    Uçaktürk, Seyit Ahmet; Alışık, Murat; Uğur, Çağatay; Elmaoğulları, Selin; Mengen, Eda; Erel, Özcan

    2018-01-01

    Objective To evaluate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in children with non-autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT). Subjects and Methods Thiol/disulphide homeosta sis, involving native thiol (SH), disulphide (SS), and total thiol (SS + SH), was evaluated in 60 children and adolescents who were negative for thyroid auto-antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin) and had a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value of > 5 mIU/L, and in 40 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects who were negative for thyroid autoantibodies and had normal TSH levels. Lipid profiles and urine iodine levels were also determined. Results SH (466 ± 32.8 vs. 462 ± 32.1 μmol/L p = 0.59), SH + SS (508 ± 34.0 vs. 506 ± 32.7 μmol/L, p = 0.81), SS (21 ± 5.5 vs. 22 ± 5.8 μmol/L, p = 0.41), SS/SH (4.5 ± 1.2 vs. 4.8 ± 1.3%, p = 0.36), SS/SH + SS (4.1 ± 1.0 vs. 4.3 ± 1.1%, p = 0.36) and SH/SH + SS (91 ± 2.1 vs. 91 ± 2.1%, p = 0.31) levels were similar in children with SHT and control subjects (p > 0.05). There was no difference between total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels in SHT patients and controls. No difference was detected between the patients with or without iodine deficiency in the SHT group in terms of thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters. Conclusion The status of dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis did not change in children and adolescents with non-autoimmune SHT. Future studies are needed for the evaluation of oxidative stress in patients with long-standing non-autoimmune SHT. PMID:29402856

  13. Oral-Fluid Thiol-Detection Test Identifies Underlying Active Periodontal Disease Not Detected by the Visual Awake Examination.

    PubMed

    Queck, Katherine E; Chapman, Angela; Herzog, Leslie J; Shell-Martin, Tamara; Burgess-Cassler, Anthony; McClure, George David

    Periodontal disease in dogs is highly prevalent but can only be accurately diagnosed by performing an anesthetized oral examination with periodontal probing and dental radiography. In this study, 114 dogs had a visual awake examination of the oral cavity and were administered an oral-fluid thiol-detection test prior to undergoing a a full-mouth anesthetized oral examination and digital dental radiographs. The results show the visual awake examination underestimated the presence and severity of active periodontal disease. The thiol-detection test was superior to the visual awake examination at detecting the presence and severity of active periodontal disease and was an indicator of progression toward alveolar bone loss. The thiol-detection test detected active periodontal disease at early stages of development, before any visual cues were present, indicating the need for intervention to prevent periodontal bone loss. Early detection is important because without intervention, dogs with gingivitis (active periodontal disease) progress to irreversible periodontal bone loss (stage 2+). As suggested in the current AAHA guidelines, a thiol-detection test administered in conjunction with the visual awake examination during routine wellness examinations facilitates veterinarian-client communication and mitigates under-diagnosis of periodontal disease and underutilization of dental services. The thiol-detection test can be used to monitor the periodontal health status of the conscious patient during follow-up examinations based on disease severity.

  14. The chemical foundations of nitroalkene fatty acid signaling through addition reactions with thiols.

    PubMed

    Turell, Lucía; Steglich, Martina; Alvarez, Beatriz

    2018-03-22

    Nitroalkene fatty acids can be formed in vivo and administered exogenously. They exert pleiotropic signaling actions with cytoprotective and antiinflammatory effects. The presence of the potent electron withdrawing nitro group confers electrophilicity to the adjacent β-carbon. Thiols (precisely, thiolates) are strong nucleophiles and can react with nitroalkene fatty acids through reversible Michael addition reactions. In addition, nitroalkene fatty acids can undergo several other processes including metabolic oxidation, reduction, esterification, nitric oxide release and partition into hydrophobic compartments. The signaling actions of nitroalkenes are mainly mediated by reactions with critical thiols in regulatory proteins. Thus, the thio-Michael addition reaction provides a framework for understanding the molecular basis of the biological effects of nitroalkene fatty acids at the crossroads of thiol signaling and electrophilic lipid signaling. In this review, we describe the reactions of nitroalkene fatty acids in biological contexts. We focus on the Michael addition-elimination reaction with thiols and its mechanism, and extrapolate kinetic and thermodynamic considerations to in vivo settings. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Electrophilic Triterpenoid Enones: A Comparative Thiol-Trapping and Bioactivity Study.

    PubMed

    Del Prete, Danilo; Taglialatela-Scafati, Orazio; Minassi, Alberto; Sirignano, Carmina; Cruz, Cristina; Bellido, Maria L; Muñoz, Eduardo; Appendino, Giovanni

    2017-08-25

    Bardoxolone methyl (1) is the quintessential member of triterpenoid cyanoacrylates, an emerging class of bioactive compounds capable of transient covalent binding to thiols. The mechanistic basis for this unusual "pulsed reactivity" profile and the mode of its biological translation are unknown. To provide clues on these issues, a series of Δ 1 -dehydrooleanolates bearing an electron-withdrawing group at C-2 (7a-m) were prepared from oleanolic acid (3a) and comparatively investigated in terms of reactivity with thiols and bioactivity against a series of electrophile-sensitive transcription factors (Nrf2, NF-κB, STAT3). The emerging picture suggests that the triterpenoid scaffold sharply decreases the reactivity of the enone system by steric encumbrance and that only strongly electrophilic and sterically undemanding substituents such as a cyanide or a carboxylate group can re-establish Michael reactivity, albeit in a transient way for the cyanide group. In general, a substantial dissection between the thiol-trapping ability and the modulation of biological end-points sensitive to thiol alkylation was observed, highlighting the role of shape complementarity for the activity of triterpenoid thia-Michael acceptors.

  16. Development of ionic gels using thiol-based monomers in ionic liquid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahmed, Kumkum; Naga, Naofumi; Kawakami, Masaru; Furukawa, Hidemitsu

    2016-04-01

    Ionic gels (IGs) using ionic liquids (ILs) can propose diverse applications in the field of optics, sensors and separation have opened wide prospects in materials science. ILs have attracted remarkable interest for gel polymer electrolytes and batteries based on their useful properties such as non-volatility, non-flammability, a wide electrochemical window, high thermal stability and a high ionic conductivity. The formation of gel in IL media makes it possible to immobilize ILs within organic or inorganic matrices and to take advantage of their unique properties in the solid state, thus eliminating some shortcomings related to shaping and risk of leakage. In this work for the first time we used multifunctional thiol monomers having uniform structure and good compatibility with the IL of our interest. Therefore we focused on developing thiol monomer-based IGs using multifunctional thiol monomers and acrylate crosslinkers utilizing thiol-ene reaction between monomer and crosslinking molecules in an IL medium and characterize their physico-chemical properties like thermal, conductive, mechanical properties etc.. This work has been focused mainly to improve the mechanical strength of IGs and make prospects of IGs in tribology and lubricants.

  17. Acid-Activatable Michael-Type Fluorescent Probes for Thiols and for Labeling Lysosomes in Live Cells.

    PubMed

    Dai, Chun-Guang; Du, Xiao-Jiao; Song, Qin-Hua

    2015-12-18

    A Michael addition is usually taken as a base-catalyzed reaction. Most fluorescent probes have been designed to detect thiols in slightly alkaline solutions (pH 7-9). The sensing reactions of almost all Michael-type fluorescent probes for thiols are faster in a high pH solution than in a low pH solution. In this work, we synthesized a series of 7-substituted 2-(quinolin-2-ylmethylene)malonic acids (QMAs, substituents: NEt2, OH, H, Cl, or NO2) and their ethyl esters (QMEs) as Michael-type fluorescent probes for thiols. The sensing reactions of QMAs and QMEs occur in distinct pH ranges, pH < 7 for QMAs and pH > 7 for QMEs. On the basis of experimental and theoretic studies, we have clarified the distinct pH effects on the sensing reactivity between QMAs and QMEs and demonstrated that two QMAs (NEt2, OH) are highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probes for thiols in acidic solutions (pH < 7) and promising dyes that can label lysosomes in live cells.

  18. A novel route for the removal of bodily heavy metal lead (II)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Huang, Weirong; Zhang, Penghua; Xu, Hui; Chang, Shengli; He, Yongju; Wang, Fei; Liang, Gaowei

    2015-09-01

    The lead ion concentration in bile is considerably higher than in blood, and bile is released into the alimentary tract. Thiol-modified SBA-15 administered orally can combine with lead ions in the alimentary tract. In this paper, the in vitro lead absorption of bile was investigated. This thiol-modified SBA-15 material was used in pharmacodynamics studies on rabbits. The result that the lead content in faeces was notably higher indicates that thiol-modified SBA-15 can efficiently remove lead. The mechanism could include the following: thiol-modified SBA-15 material cuts off the heavy metal lead recirculation in the process of bile enterohepatic circulation by chelating the lead in the alimentary tract, causing a certain proportion of lead to be removed by the thiol mesoporous material, and the lead is subsequently egested out of the body in faeces. The results indicate that this material might be a potential non-injection material for the removal bodily heavy metal lead in the alimentary tract. This material may also be a useful means of lead removal, especially for non-acute sub-poisoning symptoms.

  19. Topography of Escherichia coli ribosomal proteins. The order of reactivity of thiol groups*

    PubMed Central

    Bakardjieva, Anastasia; Crichton, Robert R.

    1974-01-01

    1. 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits of Escherichia coli were treated with N-[2,3-14C]-ethylmaleimide and iodo[14C]acetamide. 2. The proteins in the native subunits which reacted with the reagents were S1,‡ S2, S12, S13, S18, S21, L2, L5, L6, L10, L11, L15, L17, L20, L26+28 and L27. 3. Several proteins, such as S1, S12, S14, S18, L2, L6, L10, L11 and either L26 or 28, had thiol groups in an oxidized form and reacted to a greater extent after reduction with β-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol. 4. The total number of thiol groups in 30S and 50S subunits was determined as 16–17 and 26–27 respectively. The total number of thiol groups in each ribosomal protein was also determined. 5. The reaction of 30S and 50S subunits with iodoacetamide under several different conditions established the order of reactivity of thiol groups. PMID:4618476

  20. Is early cord clamping, delayed cord clamping or cord milking best?

    PubMed

    Vatansever, Binay; Demirel, Gamze; Ciler Eren, Elif; Erel, Ozcan; Neselioglu, Salim; Karavar, Hande Nur; Gundogdu, Semra; Ulfer, Gozde; Bahadir, Selcen; Tastekin, Ayhan

    2018-04-01

    To compare the antioxidant status of three cord clamping procedures (early clamping, delayed clamping and milking) by analyzing the thiol-disulfide balance. This randomized controlled study enrolled 189 term infants who were divided into three groups according to the cord clamping procedure: early clamping, delayed clamping and milking. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical arteries immediately after clamping, and the thiol/disulfide homeostasis was analyzed. The native and total thiol levels were significantly (p < .05) lower in the early cord clamping group compared with the other two groups. The disulfide/total thiol ratio was significantly (p = .026) lower in the delayed cord clamping and milking groups compared with the early clamping groups. Early cord clamping causes the production of more disulfide bonds and lower thiol levels, indicating that oxidation reactions are increased in the early cord clamping procedure compared with the delayed cord clamping and milking procedures. The oxidant capacity is greater with early cord clamping than with delayed clamping or cord milking. Delayed cord clamping or milking are beneficial in neonatal care, and we suggest that they be performed routinely in all deliveries.

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