Structural basis for the selective inhibition of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa) by a selenium-containing inhibitor with chloro-aminopyridine as a basic group

High-activity recombinant human carboxypeptidase B expression in Pichia pastoris through rational protein engineering and enhancing secretion from the Golgi apparatus to the plasma membrane

Human carboxypeptidase B1 (hCPB1) is vital for recombinant insulin production, holding substantial value in the pharmaceutical industry. Current challenges include limited hCPB1 enzyme activity. In this study, recombinant hCPB1 efficient expression in Pichia pastoris was achieved. To enhance hCPB1 secretion, we conducted signal peptides screening and deleted the Vps10 sortilin domain, reducing vacuolar mis-sorting. Overexpression of Sec4p increased the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane and improved hCPB1 secretion by 20%. Rational protein engineering generated twenty-two single-mutation mutants and identified the A178L mutation resulted in a 30% increase in hCPB1 specific activity. However, all combinational mutations that increased specific activities decreased protein expression levels. Therefore, computer-aided global protein design with PROSS was employed for the aim of improving specific activities and preserving good protein expression. Among the six designed mutants, hCPB1-P6 showed a remarkable 114% increase in the catalytic rate constant (kcat), a 137% decrease in the Michaelis constant (Km), and a 490% increase in catalytic efficiency. Most mutations occurred on the surface of hCPB1-P6, with eight sites mutated to proline. In a 5 L fermenter, hCPB1-P6 was produced by the secretion-enhanced P. pastoris chassis to 199.6 ± 20 mg L-1 with a specific activity of 96 ± 0.32 U mg-1, resulting in a total enzyme activity of 19137 ± 1131 U L-1, demonstrating significant potential for industrial applications.

Small molecule selenium-containing compounds: Recent development and therapeutic applications

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient of organism and has important function. It participates in the functions of selenoprotein in several manners. In recent years, Se has attracted much attention because of its therapeutic potential against several diseases. Many natural and synthetic organic Se-containing compounds were studied and explored for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Studies have showed that incorporation of Se atom into small molecules significantly enhanced their bioactivities. In this paper, according to different applications and structural characteristics, the research progress and therapeutic application of Se-containing compounds are reviewed, and more than 110 Se-containing compounds were selected as representatives which showed potent activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, antifibrolytic, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and central nervous system related effects. This review is expected to provide a basis for further study of new promising Se-containing compounds.