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Pillai K, Akhter J, Mekkawy AH, Valle SJ, Morris DL. Development and Validation of Micro-Azocasein Assay for Quantifying Bromelain. Methods Protoc 2024; 7:25. [PMID: 38525783 PMCID: PMC10961761 DOI: 10.3390/mps7020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The proteolytic activity of enzymes may be evaluated by a colorimetric method with azocasein. Hence, we developed a micro-assay to quantify bromelain using azocasein. A total of 250 µL of 1.0% azocasein in dH2O was added to 250 µL of test solution, vortexed and incubated at ambient room temperature/30 min. The reaction was terminated with 1500 µL of 5% trichloroacetic acid, vortexed and centrifuged. A total of 150 µL of 0.5M NaOH was added to 150 µL of supernatant in triplicates, and absorbance was recorded at 410 nm. The linearity of the calibration curve was tested with 200-800 µg/mL serial dilutions. The detection limit, precision, accuracy, and robustness were tested along with the substrate enzyme reaction time and solvent matrix effect. Good linearity was seen with serially diluted 200 µg/mL bromelain. The limit of quantification and limit of detection were 5.412 and 16.4 µg/mL, respectively. Intra-day and inter-day analyses showed a relative standard deviation below 2.0%. The assay was robust when tested over 400-450 nm wavelengths. The assays performed using dH2O or PBS diluents indicated a higher sensitivity in dH2O. The proteolytic activity of bromelain was enhanced with L-cysteine or N-acetylcysteine. Hence, this micro-azocasein assay is reliable for quantifying bromelain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Pillai
- Mucpharm Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; (K.P.); (J.A.); (A.H.M.); (S.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Javed Akhter
- Mucpharm Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; (K.P.); (J.A.); (A.H.M.); (S.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Ahmed H. Mekkawy
- Mucpharm Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; (K.P.); (J.A.); (A.H.M.); (S.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
- St. George & Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Sarah J. Valle
- Mucpharm Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; (K.P.); (J.A.); (A.H.M.); (S.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
- Intensive Care Unit, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - David L. Morris
- Mucpharm Pty Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia; (K.P.); (J.A.); (A.H.M.); (S.J.V.)
- Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
- St. George & Sutherland Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2217, Australia
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Siniakova TS, Raikov AV, Kudryasheva NS. Water-Soluble Polymer Polyethylene Glycol: Effect on the Bioluminescent Reaction of the Marine Coelenterate Obelia and Coelenteramide-Containing Fluorescent Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076345. [PMID: 37047313 PMCID: PMC10094403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The current paper considers the effects of a water-soluble polymer (polyethylene glycol (PEG)) on the bioluminescent reaction of the photoprotein obelin from the marine coelenterate Obelia longissima and the product of this bioluminescent reaction: a coelenteramide-containing fluorescent protein (CCFP). We varied PEG concentrations (0–1.44 mg/mL) and molecular weights (1000, 8000, and 35,000 a.u.). The presence of PEG significantly increased the bioluminescent intensity of obelin but decreased the photoluminescence intensity of CCFP; the effects did not depend on the PEG concentration or the molecular weight. The photoluminescence spectra of CCFP did not change, while the bioluminescence spectra changed in the course of the bioluminescent reaction. The changes can be explained by different rigidity of the media in the polymer solutions affecting the stability of the photoprotein complex and the efficiency of the proton transfer in the bioluminescent reaction. The results predict and explain the change in the luminescence intensity and color of the marine coelenterates in the presence of water-soluble polymers. The CCFP appeared to be a proper tool for the toxicity monitoring of water-soluble polymers (e.g., PEGs).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander V. Raikov
- Biophysics Department, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Nadezhda S. Kudryasheva
- Biophysics Department, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, FRC KSC SB RAS, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Correspondence: n ; Tel.: +7-391-249-42-42
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Kolesnik OV, Rozhko TV, Kudryasheva NS. Marine Bacteria under Low-Intensity Radioactive Exposure: Model Experiments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010410. [PMID: 36613854 PMCID: PMC9820739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Radioactive contaminants create problems all over world, involving marine ecosystems, with their ecological importance increasing in the future. The review focuses on bioeffects of a series of alpha and beta emitting radioisotopes (americium-241, uranium-(235 + 238), thorium-232, and tritium) and gamma radiation. Low-intensity exposures are under special consideration. Great attention has been paid to luminous marine bacteria as representatives of marine microorganisms and a conventional bioassay system. This bioassay uses bacterial bioluminescence intensity as the main testing physiological parameter; currently, it is widely applied due to its simplicity and sensitivity. Dependences of the bacterial luminescence response on the exposure time and irradiation intensity were reviewed, and applicability of hormetic or threshold models was discussed. A number of aspects of molecular intracellular processes under exposure to low-intensity radiation were analyzed: (a) changes in the rates of enzymatic processes in bacteria with the bioluminescent system of coupled enzymatic reactions of NADH:FMN-oxidoreductase and bacterial luciferase taken as an example; (b) consumption of an intracellular reducer, NADH; (c) active role of reactive oxygen species; (d) repairing of the DNA damage. The results presented confirm the function of humic substances as natural radioprotectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Kolesnik
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center ‘Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS’, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Biophysics Department, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Rozhko
- FSBEI HE V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky KrasSMU MOH, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Nadezhda S. Kudryasheva
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center ‘Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS’, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Biophysics Department, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Basu S, Huynh L, Zhang S, Rabara R, Nguyen H, Velásquez Guzmán J, Hao G, Miles G, Shi Q, Stover E, Gupta G. Two Liberibacter Proteins Combine to Suppress Critical Innate Immune Defenses in Citrus. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:869178. [PMID: 35586217 PMCID: PMC9108871 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.869178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We adopted a systems-based approach to determine the role of two Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) proteins, LasP 235 and Effector 3, in Huanglongbing (HLB) pathogenesis. While a published work suggests the involvement of these CLas proteins HLB pathogenesis, the exact structure-based mechanism of their action has not been elucidated. We conducted the following experiments to determine the structure-based mechanisms of action. First, we immunoprecipitated the interacting citrus protein partners of LasP 235 and Effector 3 from the healthy and CLas-infected Hamlin extracts and identified them by Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Second, we performed a split green fluorescent protein (GFP) assay in tobacco to validate that the interactions observed in vitro are also retained in planta. The notable in planta citrus targets of LasP 235 and Effector 3 include citrus innate immune proteins. Third, in vitro and in planta studies were performed to show that LasP 235 and Effector 3 interact with and inhibit the functions of multiple citrus proteins belonging to the innate immune pathways. These inhibitory interactions led to a high level of reactive oxygen species, blocking of bactericidal lipid transfer protein (LTP), and induction of premature programed cell death (PCD), all of which are beneficial to CLas lifecycle and HLB pathogenesis. Finally, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to visualize the interactions of LasP 235 and Effector 3, respectively, with LTP and Kunitz protease inhibitor. This led to the design of an LTP mimic, which sequestered and blocked LasP 235 and rescued the bactericidal activity of LTP thereby proving that LasP 235 , indeed, participates in HLB pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supratim Basu
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Loan Huynh
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Shujian Zhang
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Roel Rabara
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Hau Nguyen
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | | | - Guixia Hao
- Horticulture and Breeding, U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Godfrey Miles
- Horticulture and Breeding, U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Qingchun Shi
- Horticulture and Breeding, U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Ed Stover
- Horticulture and Breeding, U. S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, United States
| | - Goutam Gupta
- Biolab, New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM, United States
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Bazhin AA, Chambon M, Vesin J, Bortoli J, Collins JW, Turcatti G, Chou CJ, Goun EA. A Universal Assay for Aminopeptidase Activity and Its Application for Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Drug Discovery. Anal Chem 2018; 91:1098-1104. [PMID: 30511572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aminopeptidases, such as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, CD26), are potent therapeutic targets for pharmacological interventions because they play key roles in many important pathological pathways. To analyze aminopeptidase activity in vitro (including high-throughput screening [HTS]), in vivo, and ex vivo, we developed a highly sensitive and quantitative bioluminescence-based readout method. We successfully applied this method to screening drugs with potential DPP-4 inhibitory activity. Using this method, we found that cancer drug mitoxantrone possesses significant DPP-4 inhibitory activity both in vitro and in vivo. The pharmacophore of mitoxantrone was further investigated by testing a variety of its structural analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chieh Jason Chou
- Microbiome and Metabolism , Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA , Lausanne 1015 , Switzerland
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Kovács AK, Hegyes P, Szebeni GJ, Nagy LI, Puskás LG, Tóth GK. Synthesis of N-peptide-6-amino-D-luciferin Conjugates. Front Chem 2018; 6:120. [PMID: 29725588 PMCID: PMC5917020 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A general strategy for the synthesis of N-peptide-6-amino-D-luciferin conjugates has been developed. The applicability of the strategy was demonstrated with the preparation of a known substrate, N-Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-6-amino-D-luciferin (N-Z-DEVD-aLuc). N-Z-DEVD-aLuc was obtained via a hybrid liquid/solid phase synthesis method, in which the appropriately protected C-terminal amino acid was coupled to 6-amino-2-cyanobenzothiazole and the resulting conjugate was reacted with D-cysteine in order to get the protected amino acid-6-amino-D-luciferin conjugate, which was then attached to resin. The resulting loaded resin was used for the solid-phase synthesis of the desired N-peptide-6-amino-D-luciferin conjugate without difficulties, which was then attested with NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS, and successfully tested in a bioluminescent system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita K Kovács
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Avidin Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Gábor J Szebeni
- Avidin Ltd., Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Genetics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - László G Puskás
- Avidin Ltd., Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Genetics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor K Tóth
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Kudryasheva NS, Rozhko TV. Effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on luminous marine bacteria: radiation hormesis and toxicity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 142:68-77. [PMID: 25644753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Revised: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The paper summarizes studies of effects of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides (americium-241, uranium-235+238, and tritium) on marine microorganisms under conditions of chronic low-dose irradiation in aqueous media. Luminous marine bacteria were chosen as an example of these microorganisms; bioluminescent intensity was used as a tested physiological parameter. Non-linear dose-effect dependence was demonstrated. Three successive stages in the bioluminescent response to americium-241 and tritium were found: 1--absence of effects (stress recognition), 2--activation (adaptive response), and 3--inhibition (suppression of physiological function, i.e. radiation toxicity). The effects were attributed to radiation hormesis phenomenon. Biological role of reactive oxygen species, secondary products of the radioactive decay, is discussed. The study suggests an approach to evaluation of non-toxic and toxic stages under conditions of chronic radioactive exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Kudryasheva
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Akademgorodok 50, 660036, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Siberian Federal University, Svobodny 79, 660041, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
| | - T V Rozhko
- Siberian Federal University, Svobodny 79, 660041, Krasnoyarsk, Russia; Krasnoyarsk State Medical Academy, P. Zheleznyaka 1, 660022, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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Paley MA, Prescher JA. Bioluminescence: a versatile technique for imaging cellular and molecular features. MEDCHEMCOMM 2014; 5:255-267. [PMID: 27594981 PMCID: PMC5006753 DOI: 10.1039/c3md00288h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bioluminescence is a ubiquitous imaging modality for visualizing biological processes in vivo. This technique employs visible light and interfaces readily with most cell and tissue types, making it a versatile technology for preclinical studies. Here we review basic bioluminescence imaging principles, along with applications of the technology that are relevant to the medicinal chemistry community. These include noninvasive cell tracking experiments, analyses of protein function, and methods to visualize small molecule metabolites. In each section, we also discuss how bioluminescent tools have revealed insights into experimental therapies and aided drug discovery. Last, we highlight the development of new bioluminescent tools that will enable more sensitive and multi-component imaging experiments and, thus, expand our broader understanding of living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda A. Paley
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Prescher
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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A bioluminescence assay for aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Anal Biochem 2013; 434:226-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2012.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Revised: 11/12/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Li J, Chen L, Du L, Li M. Cage the firefly luciferin! – a strategy for developing bioluminescent probes. Chem Soc Rev 2013; 42:662-76. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35249d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Park K, Jeong J, Chung BH. Cascade imaging of proteolytic pathways in cancer cells using fluorescent protein-conjugated gold nanoquenchers. Chem Commun (Camb) 2012; 48:10547-9. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cc35687b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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