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Tavares LS, Mancebo BD, Santana LN, Adelson do Nascimento Silva A, Silva RLDO, Benko-Iseppon AM, Ramos MV, Monteiro do Nascimento CT, Grangeiro TB, Sousa JS, Mota RA, Júnior VADS, Lima-Filho JV. Recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from Calotropis procera produced in E. coli BL21(DE3) prevent acute inflammation in a mouse model of listeriosis. Phytomedicine 2022; 102:154186. [PMID: 35617890 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The osmotin from the medicinal plant Calotropis procera (CpOsm) has characteristics similar to adiponectin, a human protein with immunoregulatory actions. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate whether recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from C. procera (IB/rCpOsm) produced in E. coli BL21(DE3) can prevent infection-induced inflammation. A virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes was used as an infection model. METHODS Cells of E. coli BL21(DE3) carrying the plasmid pET303-CpOsm were used to express the recombinant osmotin, which accumulated at reasonable levels as inclusion bodies (IB/rCpOsm). IB/rCpOsm were purified from induced cells and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry analyses confirmed the identity of the major protein band (23 kDa apparent molecular mass) as CpOsm. Peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) from Swiss mice were cultured with IB/rCpOsm (1 or 10 µg/ml) in 96-well plates and then infected with L. monocytogenes. IB/rCpOsm (0.1, 1 or 10 mg/kg) was also administered intravenously to Swiss mice, which were then infected intraperitoneally with L. monocytogenes. RESULTS Pretreatment of the pMØ with IB/rCpOsm significantly increased cell viability after infection and reduced the intracellular bacterial load. The infiltration of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity of mice pretreated with IB/rCpOsm at 10 mg/kg (but not 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) was reduced after infection. In these mice, the bacterial load was high in the peritoneal fluid and the liver, but histological damage was discrete. The treatments with IB/rCpOsm at 10 mg/kg significantly increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. CONCLUSION This study shows that recombinant osmotin inclusion bodies from C. procera were bioactive and prompted anti-inflammatory actions at therapeutic dosages in the L. monocytogenes infection model.
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Jucá TL, Ramos MV, Cilli EM, Neto AEV, Mackessy SP, Monteiro-Moreira ACO. Insights on the inhibition properties of Jatromollistatin (a cyclic heptapeptide) against Crotalus adamanteus metalloendopeptidase using molecular docking analysis. J Mol Recognit 2022; 35:e2957. [PMID: 35218251 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Jatropha mollissima is endemic to Brazil and is used for traditional medicinal purposes, including the treatment of snakebite. In this study, latex obtained from this plant was fractioned using reversed-phase chromatography, and the fractions were then screened for peptides. A 755 Da peptide was obtained, and MS/MS analyses indicated it had a cyclic sequence (Pro-Leu-Gly-Val-Leu-Leu-Tyr). This peptide sequence was present in the Jatropha genome database, and an identity value of 90.71%, an E-value of 0.0 and a score of 883 with NO-associated protein 1/chloroplastic/mitochondria of Jatropha curcas were obtained from the NCBI non-redundant protein sequence (nr) database. Molecular docking analyses performed with the peptide against a metalloendopeptidase belonging to Crotalus adamanteus snake venom suggested the cyclic peptide establishes favorable interactions with the catalytic site of the enzyme. Therefore, it could inhibit enzyme catalysis. This belief was corroborated by the formation of 6 hydrogen bonds with the linear form of the peptide. Tighter complexation of the cyclic form (41 kcal/mol more energetic) revealed better spatial blocking. The linear form outperformed the cyclic form in complexing the required energy, recruiting more catalytic residues (6/2), and in establishing more hydrogen bonds (6/3). However, cyclic folding provided a more significant spatial block within the catalytic site. The set of results suggests that the cycle peptide, here called Jatromollistatin, which was previously described as jatrophidin and pohlianin A in two other species of Jatropha, is a promising candidate to inhibit venom proteases. This belief is corroborated by the topical use of the latex for initial treatment of snakebites. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Lustosa Jucá
- Experimental Biology Centre (NUBEX), University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Federal University of Ceara (UFC), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil, CEP
| | - Eduardo Maffud Cilli
- Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Stephen P Mackessy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, 501 20th St., CB 92, Greeley, Colorado
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Santana LN, Tavares LS, Dorvigny BM, Souza FDAL, Paiva BHDA, Evêncio-Neto J, Hounkonnou SGC, Silva AFB, Ramos MV, Lima-Filho JV. Anti-infective activity of Cratylia argentea lectin (CFL) against experimental infection with virulent Listeria monocytogenes in Swiss mice. Phytomedicine 2022; 94:153839. [PMID: 34781231 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lectin from Cratylia argentea (CFL) is able to modulate the immune system response and is thus a potential phytotherapeutic substance. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE In this study, we investigated the role of CFL on control of bacterial infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of human listeriosis. STUDY DESIGN Swiss mice were infected with L. monocytogenes and then treated with CFL. METHODS Adult Swiss mice weighing with 30-40 g were infected intraperitoneally with a bacterial suspension (0.2 ml; 1 × 107 CFU/ml). After 30 min, the mice were treated with CFL intravenously at concentrations of 0.1 or 10 mg/kg. Control mice received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The animals were euthanized 24 h after infection. RESULTS We observed that i.v. administration of CFL to Swiss mice did not cause acute toxicity, and reduced the leukocyte counts in the bloodstream 24 h after infection with virulent L. monocytogenes. There was a reduction in the bacterial burden within peritoneal macrophages after infection in CFL-treated mice. Accordingly, the bacterial counts in the bloodstream, spleen and liver also decreased in comparison with the PBS group. Histological damage in the spleen and liver was lower in mice that received CFL treatment. In vitro antimicrobial assays demonstrated that CFL does not inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes. The mRNA expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was enhanced with CFL treatment after infection. CONCLUSION The lectin from C. argentea (CFL) has immunomodulatory and anti-infective properties of pharmacological interest for control of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Nunes Santana
- Department of Biology, Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, B. Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE CEP 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Lethicia Souza Tavares
- Department of Biology, Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, B. Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE CEP 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Betty Mancebo Dorvigny
- Department of Biology, Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, B. Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE CEP 52171-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Joaquim Evêncio-Neto
- Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | | | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jose Vitor Lima-Filho
- Department of Biology, Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, B. Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE CEP 52171-900, Brazil.
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Oliveira KAD, Araújo HN, Lima TID, Oliveira AG, Favero-Santos BC, Guimarães DSP, Freitas PAD, Neves RDJD, Vasconcelos RP, Almeida MGGD, Ramos MV, Silveira LR, Oliveira ACD. Phytomodulatory proteins isolated from Calotropis procera latex promote glycemic control by improving hepatic mitochondrial function in HepG2 cells. Saudi Pharm J 2021; 29:1061-1069. [PMID: 34588851 PMCID: PMC8463474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are diverse, yet some of them are based on effects that still lack scientific support. Control of diabetes is one of them. Recently, latex proteins from C. procera latex (LP) have been shown to promote in vivo glycemic control by the inhibition of hepatic glucose production via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Glycemic control has been attributed to an isolated fraction of LP (CpPII), which is composed of cysteine peptidases (95%) and osmotin (5%) isoforms. Those proteins are extensively characterized in terms of chemistry, biochemistry and structural aspects. Furthermore, we evaluated some aspects of the mitochondrial function and cellular mechanisms involved in CpPII activity. The effect of CpPII on glycemic control was evaluated in fasting mice by glycemic curve and glucose and pyruvate tolerance tests. HepG2 cells was treated with CpPII, and cell viability, oxygen consumption, PPAR activity, production of lactate and reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial density and protein and gene expression were analyzed. CpPII reduced fasting glycemia, improved glucose tolerance and inhibited hepatic glucose production in control animals. Additionally, CpPII increased the consumption of ATP-linked oxygen and mitochondrial uncoupling, reduced lactate concentration, increased protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I, III and V, and activity of peroxisome-proliferator-responsive elements (PPRE), reduced the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial density in HepG2 cells by activation of AMPK/PPAR. Our findings strongly support the medicinal use of the plant and suggest that CpPII is a potential therapy for prevention and/or treatment of type-2 diabetes. A common epitope sequence shared among the proteases and osmotin is possibly the responsible for the beneficial effects of CpPII.
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Key Words
- AMPK, AMP-activated kinase protein
- AUC, Area under the curve
- Bioactive proteins
- CTL, Control
- Calotropis procera
- CpPII, Major peptidase fraction treated with iodoacetamide
- DHE, Dihydroethidium
- DMEM, Dulbecco’s minimal essential medium
- DMSO, Dimethyl sulfoxide
- FCCP, Oligomycin carbonyl cyanide 4 (trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazine
- Folk medicine
- Glycemia
- HGP, Hepatic glucose production
- LP, Soluble latex proteins from Calotropis procera
- Latex
- MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
- OCR, Oxygen consumption rate
- OXPHOS, Oxidative phosphorylation
- PPAR, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
- PPRE, PPAR response element
- ROS, Reactive oxygen species
- TBS-T, Tris buffered saline solution containing 0.1% Tween 20
- UCP2, Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ariclecio Cunha de Oliveira
- Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
- Corresponding author.at: Superior Institute of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
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Nunes MO, Fátima Goebel de Souza TD, Pierdoná TM, Ramos MV, Ferreira KQ, Duarte RS, Shahwar DE, Wilke DV, Wong DVT, Alencar NMN. In vitro biocompatibility and wound healing properties of latex proteins dressing. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 76:105230. [PMID: 34343654 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The chronification of ulcers or sores may result in a dramatic outcome such as amputation. Currently, the search for plant based treatments of various diseases/disorders, including complicated ones, is getting the attention of researchers worldwide. The soluble latex protein fraction (CpLP) obtained from Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) was previously demonstrated to accelerate wound healing by topical application or when incorporated in a polyvinyl alcohol biomembrane (BioMemCpLP). Here, in vitro assays were performed to investigate and characterize the biocompatibility and bioactivity of latex proteins dressing. Macrophages (RAW 264.7), fibroblasts (L929) and keratinocytes (HaCaT) cell lines were used to evaluate the effect of CpLP. These cell lines were exposed to concentrations of CpLP comparable to those found in BioMemCpLP during 24-72 h. The cytotoxicity, proliferation, release of wound healing mediators (TGF-β, VEGF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and NO) and migration of cells (E-cadherin and β-catenin) incubated with CpLP was assessed and the cell adhesion to BioMemCpLP as well. The results showed that CpLP has no cytotoxic effects. It induced a suitable balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, enhanced proliferation and re-epithelialization in all cell lines, but the intensity of each effect was different at various doses in all cell strains. The BioMemCpLP stimulated cell adhesion to PVA substrate. The CpLP-PVA based biomembrane can be a good option for healing of different wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília Oliveira Nunes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Tamiris de Fátima Goebel de Souza
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Taiana Magalhães Pierdoná
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Kayanny Queiroz Ferreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Rebeca Silva Duarte
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Dur E Shahwar
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Diego Veras Wilke
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Deysi Viviana Tenazoa Wong
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Nylane Maria Nunes Alencar
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil.
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Sousa BF, Silva AFBD, Lima-Filho JV, Agostinho AG, Oliveira DN, de Alencar NMN, de Freitas CDT, Ramos MV. Latex proteins downregulate inflammation and restores blood-coagulation homeostasis in acute Salmonella infection. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2020; 115:e200458. [PMID: 33237133 PMCID: PMC7682140 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760200458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calotropis procera latex protein fraction (LP) was previously shown to protect animals from septic shock. Further investigations showed that LP modulate nitric oxide and cytokines levels. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether the protective effects of LP, against lethal bacterial infection, is observed in its subfractions (LPPII and LPPIII). METHODS Subfractions (5 and 10 mg/kg) were tested by i.p. administration, 24 h before challenging with lethal injection (i.p.) of Salmonella Typhimurium. LPPIII (5 mg/kg) which showed higher survival rate was assayed to evaluate bacterial clearance, histopathology, leukocyte recruitment, plasma coagulation time, cytokines and NO levels. FINDINGS LPPIII protected 70% of animals of death. The animals given LPPIII exhibited reduced bacterial load in blood and peritoneal fluid after 24 h compared to the control. LPPIII promoted macrophage infiltration in spleen and liver. LPPIII restored the coagulation time of infected animals, increased IL-10 and reduced NO in blood. MAIN CONCLUSIONS LPPIII recruited macrophages to the target organs of bacterial infection. This addressed inflammatory stimulus seems to reduce bacterial colonisation in spleen and liver, down regulate bacterial spread and contribute to avoid septic shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Ferraz Sousa
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | | | - José Vitor Lima-Filho
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Departamento de Biologia, Recife, PE, Brasil
| | - Anderson Gomes Agostinho
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | | | | | | | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
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Silveira SR, Coelho RA, Sousa BFE, Oliveira JSD, Lopez LMI, Lima-Filho JVM, Rocha Júnior PAV, Souza DPD, Freitas CDTD, Ramos MV. Standardized production of a homogeneous latex enzyme source overcoming seasonality and microenvironmental variables. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2020; 51:375-385. [PMID: 32940546 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2020.1818258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Calotropis procera produces a milky sap containing proteolytic enzymes. At low concentrations, they induce milk-clotting (60 µg/ml) and to dehair hides (0.05 and 0.1%). A protocol for obtaining the enzymes is reported. The latex was mixed with distilled water and the mixture was cleaned through centrifugation. It was dialyzed with distilled water and centrifuged again to recover the soluble fraction [EP]. The dialyze is a key feature of the process. EP was characterized in terms of protein profile, chemical stability, among other criteria. Wild plants belonging to ten geographic regions and grown in different ecological conditions were used as latex source. Collections were carried out, spaced at three-month, according to the seasons at the site of the study. Proteolytic activity was measured as an internal marker and for determining stability of the samples. EP was also analyzed for metal content and microbiology. EP showed similar magnitude of proteolysis, chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles of proteins. Samples stored at 25 °C exhibited reduced solubility (11%) and proteolytic capacity (11%) after six months. Enzyme autolysis was negligible. Microbiological and metal analyses revealed standard quality of all the samples tested. EP induced milk clotting and hide dehairing after storage for up to six months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Rios Silveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Raphael Alves Coelho
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Brandon Ferraz E Sousa
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Soares de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Plantas laticíferas (LABPL), Universidade Federal do Delta do Parnaíba, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Laura Maria Isabel Lopez
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología del Cuero, Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires & INTI-Cueros, Gonnet, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | - Diego Pereira de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil
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de Sousa JS, Freire RS, Sousa FD, Radmacher M, Silva AFB, Ramos MV, Monteiro-Moreira ACO, Mesquita FP, Moraes MEA, Montenegro RC, Oliveira CLN. Double power-law viscoelastic relaxation of living cells encodes motility trends. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4749. [PMID: 32179816 PMCID: PMC7075927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61631-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Living cells are constantly exchanging momentum with their surroundings. So far, there is no consensus regarding how cells respond to such external stimuli, although it reveals much about their internal structures, motility as well as the emergence of disorders. Here, we report that twelve cell lines, ranging from healthy fibroblasts to cancer cells, hold a ubiquitous double power-law viscoelastic relaxation compatible with the fractional Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model. Atomic Force Microscopy measurements in time domain were employed to determine the mechanical parameters, namely, the fast and slow relaxation exponents, the crossover timescale between power law regimes, and the cell stiffness. These cell-dependent quantities show strong correlation with their collective migration and invasiveness properties. Beyond that, the crossover timescale sets the fastest timescale for cells to perform their biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S de Sousa
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-970, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - R S Freire
- Central Analítica, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-970, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - F D Sousa
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-970, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - M Radmacher
- Institute of Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn Allee 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - A F B Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - M V Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60440-554, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - A C O Monteiro-Moreira
- Centro de Biologia Experimental, Universidade de Fortaleza, 60811-905, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - F P Mesquita
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60430-275, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - M E A Moraes
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60430-275, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - R C Montenegro
- Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Medicamentos, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60430-275, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - C L N Oliveira
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-970, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Cavalcante GS, Morais SMD, André WPP, Araújo-Filho JVD, Muniz CR, Rocha LOD, Ribeiro WLC, Rodrigues ALM, Oliveira LMBD, Bevilaqua CML, Ramos MV. Chemical constituents of Calotropis procera latex and ultrastructural effects on Haemonchus contortus. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic and ultrastructural effects of Calotropis procera latex on Haemonchus contortus. C. procera latex was twice centrifuged at 10,000×g and dialyzed to obtain a fraction rich in proteins, named LP (latex protein), and at 3,000 rpm to obtain a fraction rich in secondary metabolites, named LNP (latex non-protein). Specimens of H. contortus exposed to LNP, LP and PBS in the Adult Worm Motility Test (AWMT) were submitted to scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy to verify changes in their ultrastructure. Phytochemical tests in the LNP indicated the presence of phenols, steroids, alkaloids and cardenolides. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) characterized the presence of the compounds gallic acid and quercetin in the LNP. The protein content in the LP was 43.1 ± 1.1 mg/mL and 7.7 ± 0.3 mg/mL in LNP. In AWMT, LNP and LP inhibited the motility of 100% of the nematodes, with LNP being more effective than LP and ivermectin more effective than both (p <0.05). Cuticle changes were observed by SEM and TEM in nematodes treated with LP and LNP. Calotropis procera latex has anthelmintic effects against H. contortus, causing damage to its cuticle and other alterations in its ultrastructure.
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Oliveira NVDM, Souza BDS, Moita LA, Oliveira LES, Brito FC, Magalhães DA, Batista JA, Sousa SG, Brito TVD, Sousa FBDM, Alves EHP, Vasconcelos DFP, Freitas CDTD, Ramos MV, Barbosa ALDR, Oliveira JSD. Proteins from Plumeria pudica latex exhibit protective effect in acetic acid induced colitis in mice by inhibition of pro-inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress. Life Sci 2019; 231:116535. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ramos MV, Demarco D, da Costa Souza IC, de Freitas CDT. Laticifers, Latex, and Their Role in Plant Defense. Trends Plant Sci 2019; 24:553-567. [PMID: 30979674 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Latex, a sap produced by cells called laticifers, occurs in plants of wide taxonomic diversity. Plants exude latex sap in response to physical damage. Questions about the function of latex or the underlying mechanisms persist, but a role in defense is likely. The presence of constitutive peptidases in latex sap in addition to inducible and de novo synthesized pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-proteins), raises the question about the role that each sap component plays to protect plants and how synergism occurs among sap proteins in the course of herbivory or infection. Here we discuss a variety of functions for laticifer and latex in plant defense. We propose that latex peptidases build the front line of defense against herbivores or pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 907, Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP 60451-970, Brazil.
| | - Diego Demarco
- Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-090, Brazil
| | - Isabel Cristina da Costa Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 907, Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP 60451-970, Brazil
| | - Cleverson Diniz Teixeira de Freitas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 907, Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP 60451-970, Brazil
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de Oliveira KA, Moreira Gomes MD, Vasconcelos RP, de Abreu ES, Fortunato RS, Carneiro Loureiro AC, Coelho-de-Souza AN, de Oliveira RSB, de Freitas CDT, Ramos MV, de Oliveira AC. Phytomodulatory proteins promote inhibition of hepatic glucose production and favor glycemic control via the AMPK pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 109:2342-2347. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Santana LDAB, Aragão DP, Araújo TDSL, Sousa NAD, Souza LKMD, Oliveira LES, Pereira ACTDC, Ferreira GP, Oliveira NVDM, Souza BDS, Sousa FBM, Ramos MV, Freitas CDTD, Medeiros JVR, Oliveira JSD. Antidiarrheal effects of water-soluble proteins from Plumeria pudica latex in mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 97:1147-1154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
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Batista J, Ralph MT, Vaz RV, Souza P, Silva AB, Nascimento D, Souza LT, Ramos MV, Mastroeni P, Lima-Filho JV. Plant lectins ConBr and CFL modulate expression toll-like receptors, pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce the bacterial burden in macrophages infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Phytomedicine 2017; 25:52-60. [PMID: 28190471 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant lectins have long been used in biomedical research as immunomodulators against tumor cells and microbial infections. PURPOSE To test the ability of plant lectins ConBr (Canavalia brasiliensis) and CFL (Cratylia argentea) to activate antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of murine peritoneal macrophages (pMØ) infected with a virulent strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm). METHODS We incubated pMØ with non-toxic amounts of ConBr and CFL either before (preventive schedule) or after (curative schedule) exposure to STm. RESULTS In uninfected pMØ, ConBr and CFL greatly increased levels of mRNA transcripts for IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), but not IL-10 and IL-12. Exposure to naïve splenocytes of culture supernatants of pMØ previously stimulated with CFL resulted in expression of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Both preventive and curative treatment schedules significantly reduced the intracellular load of Salmonella. Experiments in infected macrophages exposed to lectins in the preventive schedule showed that mRNA transcripts for IL-6 and TNF-α were increased by CFL, whereas ConBr enhanced IL-12 (subunit p40). In the curative schedule, CFL induced significant expression of IL-12 (p40) whereas ConBr enhanced expression IL-1β and TNF-α genes. The lectin treatments did not influence on iNOs expression in pMØ infected with STm C5 regardless of the treatment schedule. Curative treatments with CFL increased approximately 130-fold expression of TLR-4 whist expression of TLR-9 was increased by treatments with ConBr. CONCLUSION We conclude that lectins ConBr and CFL have immunomodulatory properties that are beneficial on control of cells infected by Salmonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jec Batista
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - M T Ralph
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - R V Vaz
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - Pfc Souza
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - A B Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Dco Nascimento
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - L T Souza
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil
| | - M V Ramos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - P Mastroeni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES United Kingdom.
| | - J V Lima-Filho
- Department of Biology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, CEP 52171-900 Brazil.
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Hissa DC, Bezerra WM, Freitas CDTD, Ramos MV, Lopes JLDS, Beltramini LM, Roberto IJ, Cascon P, Melo VMM. Frog Foam Nest Protein Diversity and Synthesis. J Exp Zool A Ecol Genet Physiol 2016; 325:425-33. [PMID: 27460953 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Some amphibian species have developed a breeding strategy in which they deposit their eggs in stable foam nests to protect their eggs and larvae. The frog foam nests are rich in proteins (ranaspumin), especially surfactant proteins, involved in the production of the foam nest. Despite the ecological importance of the foam nests for evolution and species conservation, the biochemical composition, the long-term stability and even the origin of the components are still not completely understood. Recently we showed that Lv-RSN-1, a 23.5-kDa surfactant protein isolated from the nest of the frog Leptodacylus vastus, presents a structural conformation distinct from any protein structures yet reported. So, in the current study we aimed to reveal the protein composition of the foam nest of L. vastus and further characterize the Lv-RSN-1. Proteomic analysis showed the foam nest contains more than 100 of proteins, and that Lv-RSN-1 comprises 45% of the total proteins, suggesting a key role in the nest construction and stability. We demonstrated by Western blotting that Lv-RSN-1 is mainly produced only by the female in the pars convoluta dilata, which highlights the importance of the female preservation for conservation of species that depend on the production of foam nests in the early stages of development. Overall, our results showed the foam nest of L. vastus is composed of a great diversity of proteins and that besides Lv-RSN-1, the main protein in the foam, other proteins must have a coadjuvant role in building and stability of the nest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Cavalcante Hissa
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Walderly Melgaço Bezerra
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará Av. Humberto Monte, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - José Luiz De Souza Lopes
- Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, Rua do Matão, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leila Maria Beltramini
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Igor Joventino Roberto
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Departamento de Biologia, Avenida General Rodrigo Octávio, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
| | - Paulo Cascon
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Vânia Maria Maciel Melo
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. Humberto Monte, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Nascimento DCDO, Ralph MT, Batista JEC, Silva DMF, Gomes-Filho MA, Alencar NM, Leal NC, Ramos MV, Lima-Filho JV. Latex protein extracts from Calotropis procera with immunomodulatory properties protect against experimental infections with Listeria monocytogenes. Phytomedicine 2016; 23:745-753. [PMID: 27235713 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The latex from the medicinal plant Calotropis procera is often used in folk medicine against infectious and inflammatory diseases. PURPOSE In this study, we investigate a protein fraction with immunomodulatory properties, named LPPI, against experimental infections, in vitro and in vivo, with a virulent strain of Listeria monocytogenes. STUDY DESIGN LPPI was exposed to cultured macrophages or Swiss mice and then challenged with L. monocytogenes. METHODS Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from Swiss mice, and cultured in 96-well microplates. Soluble latex proteins (LP) were subjected to fractionation by ion-exchange chromatography. The major peak (LPPI) was added into wells at 10 or 100µg/ml. Albumin (100µg/ml) was used for comparison between protein treatments. After incubation for 1h at 5% CO2/ 37°C, the supernatant was discarded and 0.2ml of L. monocytogenes overnight culture was added in the wells. Following 4h and 24h infection, the cytokine mRNA expression was evaluated as well as the number of intracellular colony forming units. Swiss mice (n=16) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with LPPI (5 and 10mg/kg) while the control mice received albumin (10mg/kg) or LP (10mg/kg). After 24h, all animal groups were challenged with L. monocytogenes (10(6) CFU/ ml), also by i.p. route. RESULTS LPPI was not toxic to uninfected macrophages (pMØ) and significantly increased mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and iNOS. Following infection, cell viability was reduced by 50% in albumin-treated pMØ (control); but only 17% in pMØ treated with LPPI at 100µg/ml. In this case, LPPI increased expression of TNF-α and IL-6 whereas the number of bacterial colony-forming units was reduced 100-fold in comparison to control groups. Swiss mice pretreated with LPPI showed dose-dependent survival rates that reached 80%, while mice that received albumin died 1-3 days after infection. After 24h infection, leukocyte migration to the infectious foci was high in LPPI-treated mice whereas the number of viable bacteria in the peritoneal fluid, liver and bloodstream were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION We conclude that LPPI present immunomodulatory properties that are beneficial for prevention of systemic bacterial infections caused by the intracellular bacteria L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Taciana Ralph
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | | | - Diogo Manoel Farias Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | - Manoel Adrião Gomes-Filho
- Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
| | - Nylane Maria Alencar
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Nilma Cintra Leal
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Fiocruz, Recife, PE
| | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
| | - Jose Vitor Lima-Filho
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil.
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Alencar NMN, Oliveira JS, Mesquita RO, Lima MW, Vale MR, Etchells JP, Freitas CDT, Ramos MV. Pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of the latex from Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. are triggered by compounds fractionated by dialysis. Inflamm Res 2016; 55:559-64. [PMID: 17221170 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-006-6025-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN Previous studies have described pro- and anti-inflammatory activities displayed by the latex from Calotropis procera. This report aims to clarify these observations and shows that such activities can be segregated from the whole latex. METHODS The latex was divided into water-soluble fractions devoid of poly-isoprene by centrifugation and dialysis and both the activities were assayed by the peritonitis model in rats. The drugs dexamethasone, thalidomide, meclizine, indomethacin and celecoxib were used to modulate the inflammatory stimuli. RESULTS Inflammation in rats was observed 2 h after intraperitoneal administration of the stimulus (DL fraction) in a dose dependent manner. This activity was inhibited by previous intravenous injection of dexamethasone, thalidomide and meclizine. Indomethacin and celecoxib did not reverse inflammation. These results suggest the involvement of histamine release and TNF-alpha mediated inflammation while prostaglandins seem not to be required. The anti-inflammatory fraction (NDL) inhibited inflammation triggered by proinflammatory fraction (DL) suggesting that NDL ought to follow a similar pathway of action to that of the anti-inflammatory drugs that were able to inhibit inflammation triggered by DL. CONCLUSIONS Pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of the latex are displayed by compounds suitable to be fractionated on the basis of their molecular size.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M N Alencar
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Cx, Postal 6033, Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP 60.451-970, Brasil
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Jucá TL, de Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira AC, Moreira RA, de Araújo CV, de Souza Lopes JL, Moreno FBMB, Ramos MV. A new peptide from Jatropha curcas seeds: Unusual sequence and insights into its synthetic analogue that enhances proteolytic activity of papain. Process Biochem 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Kumar VL, Guruprasad B, Chaudhary P, Fatmi SMA, Oliveira RSB, Ramos MV. Protective effect of proteins derived from Calotropis procera latex against acute inflammation in rat. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 35:1-8. [PMID: 25882716 DOI: 10.1111/aap.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The non-dialysable proteins present in the latex of plant Calotropis procera possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of latex proteins (LP) on the level of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and tissue histology in the rat model of carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. This study also aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory efficacy of LP against different mediators and comparing it with their respective antagonists. Paw inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, and the effect of LP was evaluated on oedema volume, level of TNF-α, PGE(2), myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and tissue histology at the time of peak inflammation. Paw inflammation was also induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and PGE(2), and the inhibitory effect of LP against these mediators was compared with their respective antagonists at the time of peak effect. Treatment with LP produced a dose-dependent inhibition of oedema formation, and its anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenan-induced paw inflammation was accompanied by reduction in the levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and normalization of tissue architecture. LP also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of oedema formation induced by different inflammatory mediators, and its efficacy was comparable to their respective antagonists and more pronounced than that of diclofenac. Thus, our study shows that LP has a potential to be used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions where the role of these mediators is well established.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - B Guruprasad
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - P Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - S M A Fatmi
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110 029, India
| | - R S B Oliveira
- Centro Universitário Estácio de Sá Via Corpus Rua Eliseu Uchoa Becco, n°600 - Bairro Água Fria CEP:, 60810-270, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - M V Ramos
- Departmento de Bioquimica de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Campus do Pici, Cx. Postal 6033, Fortaleza-Ce Brasil, CEP, 60451-970, Brazil
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Kumar VL, Sharma N, Souza ICDC, Ramos MV, Carvalho CPDS. Proteins derived from in vitro culture of the callus and roots of Calotropis procera ameliorate acute inflammation in the rat paw. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2014; 175:1724-31. [PMID: 25424282 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-1361-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The callus and roots developed from the hypocotyl and cotyledon explants of the germinating seeds of Calotropis procera were grown in culture, and the proteins isolated from them (CP and RP) were evaluated for their efficacy in inhibiting edema formation induced by sub-plantar injection of carrageenan in the hind paw of rat. Intravenous administration of both CP and RP 30 min before inducing inflammation produced a dose-dependent inhibition of edema formation at 1 and 5 mg/kg doses. The extents of inhibition with these proteins ranged between 40 and 70 % at the doses included while the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac produced 50 to 60 % inhibition at 5 mg/kg dose. The inhibitory effect with these proteins was accompanied by a dose-dependent reduction in the tissue levels of inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and oxidative stress markers namely glutathione and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and maintenance of tissue architecture. The present study shows that the proteins isolated from the differentiated and undifferentiated tissues derived from the germinating seeds have therapeutic application in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, and these tissues could be used as an alternative source to minimize variability of plant-derived formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay L Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India,
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de Figueiredo IST, Ramos MV, Ricardo NMPS, Gonzaga MLDC, Pinheiro RSP, de Alencar NMN. Efficacy of a membrane composed of polyvinyl alcohol as a vehicle for releasing of wound healing proteins belonging to latex of Calotropis procera. Process Biochem 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Bruno-Moreno F, Sombra Basílio de Oliveira R, de Azevedo Moreira R, Pinto Lobo MD, Teixeira de Freitas CD, Viana Ramos M, Barbosa Grangeiro T, Oliveira Monteiro-Moreira AC. Crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis of an antifungal laticifer protein. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2013; 69:646-9. [PMID: 23722843 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309113011378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
An osmotin (CpOsm) from the latex of Calotropis procera has been crystallized in both tetragonal and trigonal forms suitable for structure determination. Crystallographic studies of CpOsm are of great interest because limited information is available concerning the structure of latex proteins and CpOsm has previously been shown to interact with the spore membranes of some plant pathogenic fungi, thus impairing spore germination and hyphal growth. CpOsm crystals were grown using 0.1 M HEPES buffer pH 7.5, 26% PEG 4000, 0.2 M ammonium sulfate (space group P4(3)) or using 0.1 M HEPES buffer pH 7.5, 35% MPD, 0.7 M ammonium sulfate (space group P3(1)12). X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.17 Å (P4(3)) and 1.80 Å (P3(1)12) resolution and molecular-replacement analyses produced initial phases for both crystal forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederico Bruno-Moreno
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade de Fortaleza, Avenida Washington Soares 1321, Bairro Edson Queiroz, 60811-905 Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
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Pinheiro RSP, Marques LM, Freitas LBN, Luz PB, Figueiredo IST, Matos M, Souza T, Rangel G, Ramos MV, Alencar Alencar NMN. Gastroprotective effects of latex from Himatanthus drasticus in models of acute gastric lesion. FASEB J 2013. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1168.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mayara Matos
- Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyFederal University of CearaFortalezaBrazil
| | - Tamires Souza
- Physiology and PhamacologyFederal University of CearaFortalezaBrazil
| | - Gisele Rangel
- Physiology and PhamacologyFederal University of CearaFortalezaBrazil
| | - Márcio Viana Ramos
- Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyFederal University of CearaFortalezaBrazil
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Fernandes AV, Ramos MV, Vasconcelos IM, Moreira ACOM, Moreno FB, Pereira JO, de Carvalho Gonçalves JF. Purification and characterization of a lectin of the Swartzieae Legume Taxa. Protein Pept Lett 2013; 19:1082-8. [PMID: 22512646 DOI: 10.2174/092986612802762679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2011] [Revised: 04/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This work aimed at describing the first biochemical and structural data of a lectin belonging to Swartzieae, a primitive Legume Taxa. A lactose-binding seed lectin (SLL) was purified by affinity chromatography of crude saline extracts of Swartzia laevicarpa on immobilized lactose. The SLL agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes but not rat or human (A, B, O) erythrocytes. Lectin activity was retained after heating at 100 �C for 15 min and was best inhibited by Nacetylgalactosamine, lactose and galactose. The lectin exhibited a single electrophoretic pattern that corresponded to a molecular mass of 29,000 Da, which was confirmed by MS analysis. In addition, the lectin reacted positively with Schiff's reagent. The unique N-terminal amino acid sequence (39 residues) and the internal peptide sequence were determined by Edman degradation and MS/MS, respectively. The sequencing revealed complete homology of the SLL with legume lectins belonging to primitive groups (Dalbergieae and Sophoreae). The SLL (at 1 mg/ml) did not exhibit antifungal activity against various phytopathogens or cytotoxicity (at 100 μg/ml) towards different cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Varmes Fernandes
- National Institute for Research in the Amazon (MCTI-INPA), Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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Lima RCDS, Silva MCC, Aguiar CCT, Chaves EMC, Dias KCF, Macêdo DS, de Sousa FCF, Carvalho KDM, Ramos MV, Vasconcelos SMM. Anticonvulsant action of Calotropis procera latex proteins. Epilepsy Behav 2012; 23:123-6. [PMID: 22227595 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 11/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. is a laticiferous plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family. C. procera latex proteins were evaluated with respect to anticonvulsant and sedative activity in mouse models of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-, pilocarpine-, and strychnine-induced convulsions or turning behavior and pentobarbital-induced sleep. In the strychnine- and pilocarpine-induced seizure models, C. procera latex proteins caused no significant alterations in latencies to convulsions and death, as compared with controls. In the PTZ-induced seizure model, administration of C. procera latex proteins in high doses (50 or 100mg/kg) and diazepam caused significant increases in latencies to convulsions and death. C. procera latex proteins (50 or 100mg/kg) and 2mg/kg diazepam caused a decrease in sleep latency and an increase in sleep time compared with the control group and groups treated with 5 or 10mg/kg. Our results suggest that C. procera latex proteins have a central nervous system-depressant activity as reflected in their potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and their anticonvulsant action in the PTZ-induced seizure model.
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de Freitas CDT, Lopes JLDS, Beltramini LM, de Oliveira RSB, Oliveira JTA, Ramos MV. Osmotin from Calotropis procera latex: new insights into structure and antifungal properties. Biochim Biophys Acta 2011; 1808:2501-7. [PMID: 21798235 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Revised: 06/29/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the structural properties and mechanisms of the antifungal action of CpOsm, a purified osmotin from Calotropis procera latex. Fluorescence and CD assays revealed that the CpOsm structure is highly stable, regardless of pH levels. Accordingly, CpOsm inhibited the spore germination of Fusarium solani in all pH ranges tested. The content of the secondary structure of CpOsm was estimated as follows: α-helix (20%), β-sheet (33%), turned (19%) and unordered (28%), RMSD 1%. CpOsm was stable at up to 75°C, and thermal denaturation (T(m)) was calculated to be 77.8°C. This osmotin interacted with the negatively charged large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-1-glycerol (POPG), inducing vesicle permeabilization by the leakage of calcein. CpOsm induced the membrane permeabilization of spores and hyphae from Fusarium solani, allowing for propidium iodide uptake. These results show that CpOsm is a stable protein, and its antifungal activity involves membrane permeabilization, as property reported earlier for other osmotins and thaumatin-like proteins.
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de Freitas CDT, Nogueira FCS, Vasconcelos IM, Oliveira JTA, Domont GB, Ramos MV. Osmotin purified from the latex of Calotropis procera: biochemical characterization, biological activity and role in plant defense. Plant Physiol Biochem 2011; 49:738-43. [PMID: 21334906 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2011.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2010] [Revised: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A protein, similar to osmotin- and thaumatin-like proteins, was purified from Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br latex. The isolation procedure required two cation exchange chromatography steps on 50mM Na-acetate buffer (pH 5.0) CM-Sepharose Fast Flow and 25 mM Na-phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) Resource-S, respectively. The protein purity was confirmed by an unique N-terminal sequence [ATFTIRNNCPYTIWAAAVPGGGRRLNSGGTWTINVAPGTA]. The osmotin (CpOsm) appeared as a single band (20,100 Da) in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and as two spots in two-dimensional electrophoresis (pI 8.9 and 9.1). Both polypeptides were further identified by mass spectrometry as two osmotin isoforms with molecular masses of 22,340 and 22,536 Da. The CpOsm exerted antifungal activity against Fusarium solani (IC₅₀=67.0 μg mL⁻¹), Neurospora sp. (IC₅₀=57.5 μg mL⁻¹) and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (IC₅₀=32.1 μg mL⁻¹). However, this activity was lost when the protein was previously treated with a reducing agent (DTT, Dithiothreitol) suggesting the presence of disulfide bounds stabilizing the protein. The occurrence of osmotin in latex substantiates the defensive role of these fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleverson Diniz Teixeira de Freitas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular da, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Cx., Postal 6033, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP 60451-970, Brazil.
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Faheina-Martins GV, da Silveira AL, Ramos MV, Marques-Santos LF, Araujo DAM. Influence of fetal bovine serum on cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lectins in MCF-7 cells. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2011; 25:290-6. [DOI: 10.1002/jbt.20388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2010] [Revised: 01/22/2011] [Accepted: 02/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Brando RJF, Miliwebsky E, Bentancor L, Deza N, Baschkier A, Ramos MV, Fernández GC, Meiss R, Rivas M, Palermo MS. Renal damage and death in weaned mice after oral infection with Shiga toxin 2-producing Escherichia coli strains. Clin Exp Immunol 2008; 153:297-306. [PMID: 18549440 PMCID: PMC2492904 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2008.03698.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infections are considered a public health problem in both developed and developing countries because of their increasing incidence and the severity of clinical presentation. Approximately 10% of infected patients develop complications such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) characterized by acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia. The precise sequence of events leading to HUS is still understood incompletely. Because of the lack of a reproducible small animal model for EHEC infections, in vivo studies examining EHEC-host early interactions are limited and insufficient. The aim of this study was to characterize the weaned BALB/c mouse as a model of E. coli O157:H7 infection. In this paper we report that human Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)-producing EHEC strains can adhere to the intestinal epithelium of weaned BALB/c mice, and produce local damage which leads to systemic disease and death in a percentage of infected mice. The lethality of the EHEC strain is closely age-dependent, and is related to the bacterial ability to colonize intestine and to produce Stx2. It can be concluded that the weaned BALB/c mouse can be used as a small animal model to study host early responses, and the role of bacterial pathogenic factors in the induction of systemic disease, thus providing a useful tool for the evaluation of therapeutic or vaccine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J F Brando
- División Inmunología, Instituto de Investigationes Hematológicas, Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buernos Aires, Argentina
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Macedo NMR, Costa-Lotufo LV, Pessoa C, Moraes MO, Bonfim LR, Ramos MV. Inhibition of sea urchin fertilization by plant lectins. Protein Pept Lett 2007; 14:886-93. [PMID: 18045231 DOI: 10.2174/092986607782110356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Effects of plant lectins on sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) fertilization and a partial characterization of lectin-binding involved in the process were evaluated. IC50 doses for inhibition of fertilization varied from 4.1 to 135.5 microg/ml when the lectins were pre-incubated with sperms and from 0.7 to 33.4 microg/ml when pre-incubated with eggs. Such effects were reversed when the lectins were heat inactivated. FITC-labeled lectins bound egg surfaces while their denatured forms did not. Glucose/mannose specific lectins bound weaker to eggs when pre-incubated with the glycoprotein bovine lactotransferrin. None of the glycoproteins assayed diminished FITC patterns of the Gal/GalNAc binding lectins. Pre-incubation of Glucose/mannose binding lectins with eggs did not alter binding of Gal/GalNAc lectins. Lectins with distinct competencies for binding monosaccharide and glycoconjugates were able to inhibit sea urchin fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M R Macedo
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Cx. Postal 6033. Fortaleza-Ceará, CEP. 60451-970, Brasil
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Freitas CDT, Oliveira JS, Miranda MRA, Macedo NMR, Sales MP, Villas-Boas LA, Ramos MV. Enzymatic activities and protein profile of latex from Calotropis procera. Plant Physiol Biochem 2007; 45:781-9. [PMID: 17888673 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2007.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/25/2007] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The laticifer fluid of Calotropis procera is rich in proteins and there is evidence that they are involved in the pharmacological properties of the latex. However, not much is known about how the latex-containing proteins are produced or their functions. In this study, laticifer proteins of C. procera were pooled and examined by 1D and 2D electrophoresis, masses spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) and characterized in respect of proteolytic activity and oxidative enzymes. Soluble laticifer proteins were predominantly composed of basic proteins (PI>6.0) with molecular masses varying between 5 and 95 kDa. Proteins with a molecular mass of approximately 26,000 Da were more evident. Strong anti-oxidative activity of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) (1007.74+/-91.89 Ug(-1)DM) and, to a lesser extent ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.1) (0.117(d)+/-0.013 microMol H(2)O(2)g(-1)min(-1)), were detected. However, catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was absent. The strong proteolytic activities of laticifer proteins from C. procera were shown to be shared by at least four distinct cysteine proteinases (EC 3.4.22.16) that were isolated by gel filtration chromatography. Serine and metaloproteinases were not detected and aspartic proteinase activities were barely visible. Chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) were also isolated in a chitin column and their activities quantified. The presence of these enzymatic activities in latex from C. procera may confirm their involvement in resistance to phytopathogens and insects, mainly in its leaves where the latex circulates abundantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleverson Diniz T Freitas
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular da Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Cx. Postal 6033, Fortaleza, Ceará CEP 60451-970, Brazil
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Soares de Oliveira J, Pereira Bezerra D, Teixeira de Freitas CD, Delano Barreto Marinho Filho J, Odorico de Moraes M, Pessoa C, Costa-Lotufo LV, Ramos MV. In vitro cytotoxicity against different human cancer cell lines of laticifer proteins of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. Toxicol In Vitro 2007; 21:1563-73. [PMID: 17604595 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2007.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Revised: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This work evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic activity of laticifer proteins (LP) recovered from the latex of the medicinal plant Calotropis procera. The LP displayed considerable cytotoxicity with IC(50) values ranging from 0.42 to 1.36 microg/ml to SF295 and MDA-MB-435 cell lines, respectively. In healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to LP (10 microg/ml) for 72 h, no noticeable effects on viability or cell morphology were seen. The fractionating of LP on an ion exchange chromatography gave rise to a new fraction (PI) that retained almost all cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effects of both LP and PI were diminished when previously treated with pronase, or 2-mercaptoethanol, suggesting a protein nature of active molecules, however, pre-incubation with dithiothreitol (DTT) only reduced PI activity. PI did not exhibit cysteine proteinase activity, indicating that cysteine proteinases, abundantly found in LP, are not implicated in LP cytotoxicity. In this study, using HL-60 cell as a model, LP was shown to inhibit DNA synthesis. This is probably due to alterations in the topology of DNA, since it was observed that LP is able to interfere in topoisomerase I activity by somehow acting upon DNA. LP provoked reduction in cell number but it did not cause any significant increase in the number of non-viable cells. These findings corroborated with the morphologic analysis, where cells treated with LP showed morphology of apoptotic process with abundant vacuoles, chromatin condensation and fragmentation of the nuclei. The results of this study suggests that LP is a target for DNA topoisomerase I triggering apoptosis in cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jefferson Soares de Oliveira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Caixa Postal 6033, CEP 60.451-970, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
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Ramos MV, Aguiar VC, Melo VMM, Mesquita RO, Silvestre PP, Oliveira JS, Oliveira RSB, Macedo NMR, Alencar NMN. Immunological and allergenic responses induced by latex fractions of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. J Ethnopharmacol 2007; 111:115-22. [PMID: 17141437 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2006] [Revised: 10/30/2006] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Immunological and allergenic responses against the latex of Calotropis procera were investigated in mice by oral and subcutaneous routes. The latex was fractionated according to water solubility and molecular size of its components. The fractions were named as non-dialyzable latex (NDL) corresponding to the major latex proteins, dialyzable latex (DL) corresponding to low molecular size substances and rubber latex (RL) which was highly insoluble in water. Anti-sera against these fractions were assayed for total IgG and IgA titration by ELISA and IgE and IgG(1) were quantified by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in rats and mice, respectively. None of the fractions induced antibodies level increases when mice received latex fractions by oral route and thus, did not develop allergy. Nonetheless, anti-sera of mice sensitized with NDL and RL by subcutaneous route displayed considerable immunological response while DL did not. IgG level augmented consistently against NDL and RL while IgA response was detected only to NDL. NDL and RL induced very strong PCA reactions suggesting that both fractions would contain latex substances involved in allergy. Furthermore, protein analysis of NDL and RL suggests that RL still retain residual proteins abundantly found in NDL that could explain its similar allergenic effect. No IgG(1) reaction was detected in any of the anti-sera tested. According to the results, the proteins of latex of Calotropis procera can provoke allergy by subcutaneous route. The NDL has previously shown to display anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities by intraperitoneal injection. It should be relevant to determine whether NDL could induce such activities when assayed by oral route since it was ineffective to induce allergy by this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Campus do Pici, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP, Brazil.
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Fernandez GC, Lopez MF, Gomez SA, Ramos MV, Bentancor LV, Fernandez-Brando RJ, Landoni VI, Dran GI, Meiss R, Isturiz MA, Palermo MS. Relevance of neutrophils in the murine model of haemolytic uraemic syndrome: mechanisms involved in Shiga toxin type 2-induced neutrophilia. Clin Exp Immunol 2006; 146:76-84. [PMID: 16968401 PMCID: PMC1809733 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03155.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that infections due to Shiga toxins (Stx) producing Escherichia coli are the main cause of the haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). However, the contribution of the inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of the disease has also been well established. Neutrophils (PMN) represent a central component of inflammation during infections, and patients with high peripheral PMN counts at presentation have a poor prognosis. The mouse model of HUS, by intravenous injection of pure Stx type 2 (Stx2), reproduces human neutrophilia and allows the study of early events in the course of Stx2-induced pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to address the contribution of PMN on Stx2 toxicity in a murine model of HUS, by evaluating the survival and renal damage in mice in which the granulocytic population was depleted. We found that the absence of PMN reduced Stx2-induced lethal effects and renal damage. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying Stx2-induced neutrophilia, studying the influence of Stx2 on myelopoyesis, on the emergence of cells from the bone marrow and on the in vivo migration into tissues. Stx2 administration led to an accelerated release of bone marrow cells, which egress at an earlier stage of maturation, together with an increase in the proliferation of myeloid progenitors. Moreover, Stx2-treated mice exhibited a lower migratory capacity to a local inflammatory site. In conclusion, PMN are essential in the pathogenesis of HUS and neutrophilia is not merely an epiphenomenon, but contributes to Stx2-damaging mechanism by potentiating Stx2 toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Fernandez
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Hematologicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Ramos MV, Bandeira GDP, de Freitas CDT, Nogueira NAP, Alencar NMN, de Sousa PAS, Carvalho AFU. Latex constituents from Calotropis procera (R. Br.) display toxicity upon egg hatching and larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn.). Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2006; 101:503-10. [PMID: 17072453 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000500004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2005] [Accepted: 05/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Calotropis procera R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is a well-known medicinal plant with leaves, roots, and bark being exploited by popular medicine to fight many human and animal diseases. This work deals with the fractionation of the crude latex produced by the green parts of the plant and aims to evaluate its toxic effects upon egg hatching and larval development of Aedes aegypti. The whole latex was shown to cause 100% mortality of 3rd instars within 5 min. It was fractionated into water-soluble dialyzable (DF) and non-dialyzable (NDF) rubber-free materials. Both fractions were partially effective to prevent egg hatching and most of individuals growing under experimental conditions died before reaching 2nd instars or stayed in 1st instars. Besides, the fractions were very toxic to 3rd instars causing 100% mortality within 24 h. When both fractions were submitted to heat-treatment the toxic effects were diminished considerably suggesting low thermostability of the toxic compounds. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of both fractions and their newly fractionated peaks obtained through ion exchange chromatography or desalting attested the presence of proteins in both materials. When submitted to protease digestion prior to larvicidal assays NDF lost most of its toxicity but DF was still strongly active. It may be possible that the highly toxic effects of the whole latex from C. procera upon egg hatching and larvae development should be at least in part due to its protein content found in NDE However the toxicity seems also to involve non protein molecules present in DF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcio Viana Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, 60451-970 Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
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Alencar NMN, Figueiredo IST, Vale MR, Bitencurt FS, Oliveira JS, Ribeiro RA, Ramos MV. Anti-inflammatory effect of the latex from Calotropis procera in three different experimental models: peritonitis, paw edema and hemorrhagic cystitis. Planta Med 2004; 70:1144-1149. [PMID: 15643548 DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-835842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Latex from Calotropis procera is widely used in folk medicine as a rich source of biologically active compounds capable of promoting diverse benefits such as control of dermal fungal infections, antimicrobial activities and pain relief among other useful properties. The aim of this work was to characterize the anti-inflammatory effect of a non-dialysable protein fraction recovered from the rubber-free latex using three different experimental models when administrated intravenously. In vivo neutrophil migration induced by carrageenin (500 microg) was severely inhibited by doses of latex proteins reaching maximum inhibition (80%) at 100 mg/kg. Paw edema exacerbated by the effect of carrageenin was almost completely suppressed after 4 hours and was controlled within the first hour following latex protein administration. However, the same latex fraction was completely unable to control the paw edema invoked with dextran stimulation (400 microg), suggesting that the inhibitory effect of the latex is likely to be cell-mediated. Iphosphamide-induced vesical edema in mice was also largely prevented by the latex protein fraction. These results indicate that an effect similar to that of mesna, the classical drug used for this purpose, is operative. Our findings suggest that the sample tested seems to act over a wide spectrum as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. The results also suggest that the active molecules are of a proteinaceous nature despite the presence of numerous secondary metabolites naturally occurring in the C. procera latex.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M N Alencar
- Departamento de Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil
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Abstract
Cratylia floribunda seeds were ground and the clean crude saline extract was fractionated into albumin, globulin, prolamin, acidic and basic glutelin protein fractions. These protein fractions were examined for the presence of an endogenous lectin receptor by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blot, affinity chromatography on a Sepharose 4B-Cratylia floribunda (CFL) lectin column and kinetic analysis in real time by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Prolamin was the richest protein fraction although very poor in haemagglutinating activity. Basic glutelin was far the less interesting fraction for lectin activity and protein content, even though this fraction contains considerable amounts of carbohydrates. Lectin was present in all protein fractions as estimated by haemagglutinating assays but basic glutelins were almost devoid of lectin activity. Except for prolamins, protein bands were detected by SDS-PAGE in all other fractions. Western blot using digoxigenin labelled Con A revealed a single band in the albumin, globulin, acidic and basic glutelin fractions, which specifically interacted with ConA. This band migrated exactly at the same position in such fractions and seemed to be more important in the globulins. Affinity chromatography of the protein fractions on a Sepharose-CFL column yielded a peak, which was only recovered after elution with acidic buffered solution or with an alpha-D-mannose solution and the monosaccharide was recognized by the lectin. These results were fully corroborated by real time interaction of immobilized CFL with the different soluble protein fractions suggesting the presence of a lectin receptor within albumins, globulins and basic glutelins. As a whole, the results suggest that the lectin from Cratylia floribunda recognizes a soluble endogenous glycosylated receptor through an interaction mediated by its carbohydrate-binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bandeira
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brasil
| | - Henri Debray
- Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, France
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Ceccatto VM, Cavada BS, Nunes EP, Nogueira NAP, Grangeiro MB, Moreno FBMB, Teixeira EH, Sampaio AH, Alves MAO, Ramos MV, Calvete JJ, Grangeiro TB. Purification and partial characterization of a lectin from Canavalia grandiflora benth. seeds. Protein Pept Lett 2002; 9:67-73. [PMID: 12141926 DOI: 10.2174/0929866023409002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A D-glucose/D-mannose specific lectin from seeds of Canavalia grandiflora (ConGF) was purified by affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-50. By SDS-PAGE ConGF yielded three protein bands with apparent molecular masses of 29-30 kDa (alpha chain), 16-18 kDa (beta fragment) and 12-13 kDa (gamma fragment), like other related lectins from the genus Canavalia (Leguminosae). ConGF strongly agglutinates rabbit erythrocytes, has a high content of ASP and SER, and its N-terminal sequence (30 residues) is highly similar to the sequences of other related lectins from subtribe Diocleinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Ceccatto
- Depto de Geociências/Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Caixa Postal 6033, CEP 60451-970, Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil
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Wah DA, Romero A, Gallego del Sol F, Cavada BS, Ramos MV, Grangeiro TB, Sampaio AH, Calvete JJ. Crystal structure of native and Cd/Cd-substituted Dioclea guianensis seed lectin. A novel manganese-binding site and structural basis of dimer-tetramer association. J Mol Biol 2001; 310:885-94. [PMID: 11453695 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Diocleinae legume lectins are a group of oligomeric proteins whose subunits display a high degree of primary structure and tertiary fold conservation but exhibit considerable diversity in their oligomerisation modes. To elucidate the structural determinants underlaying Diocleinae lectin oligomerisation, we have determined the crystal structures of native and cadmium-substituted Dioclea guianensis (Dguia) seed lectin. These structures have been solved by molecular replacement using concanavalin (ConA) coordinates as the starting model, and refined against data to 2.0 A resolution. In the native (Mn/Ca-Dguia) crystal form (P4(3)2(1)2), the asymmetric unit contains two monomers arranged into a canonical legume lectin dimer, and the tetramer is formed with a symmetry-related dimer. In the Cd/Cd-substituted form (I4(1)22), the asymmetric unit is occupied by a monomer. In both crystal forms, the tetrameric association is achieved by the corresponding symmetry operators. Like other legume lectins, native D. guianensis lectin contains manganese and calcium ions bound in the vicinity of the saccharide-combining site. The architecture of these metal-binding sites (S1 and S2) changed only slightly in the cadmium/cadmium-substituted form. A highly ordered calcium (native lectin) or cadmium (Cd/Cd-substituted lectin) ion is coordinated at the interface between dimers that are not tetrameric partners in a similar manner as the previously identified Cd(2+) in site S3 of a Cd/Ca-ConA. An additional Mn(2+) coordination site (called S5), whose presence has not been reported in crystal structures of any other homologous lectin, is present in both, the Mn/Ca and the Cd/Cd-substituted D. guianensis lectin forms. On the other hand, comparison of the primary and quaternary crystal structures of seed lectins from D. guianensis and Dioclea grandiflora (1DGL) indicates that the loop comprising residues 117-123 is ordered to make interdimer contacts in the D. grandiflora lectin structure, while this loop is disordered in the D. guianensis lectin structure. A single amino acid difference at position 131 (histidine in D. grandiflora and asparagine in D. guianensis) drastically reduces interdimer contacts, accounting for the disordered loop. Further, this amino acid change yields a conformation that may explain why a pH-dependent dimer-tetramer equilibrium exists for the D. guianensis lectin but not for the D. grandiflora lectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Wah
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, C.S.I.C., Madrid, Spain
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Ramos MV, Sampaio AH, Cavada BS, Calvete JJ, Grangeiro TB, Debray H. Characterization of the sugar-binding specificity of the toxic lectins isolated from Abrus pulchellus seeds. Glycoconj J 2001; 18:391-400. [PMID: 11925506 DOI: 10.1023/a:1014812114450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The sugar-binding specificity of the toxic lectins from Abrus pulchellus seeds was investigated by combination of affinity chromatography of glycopeptides and oligosaccharides of well-defined structures on a lectin-Sepharose column and measurement of the kinetic interactions in real time towards immobilized glycoproteins. The lectins showed strong affinity for a series of bi- and triantennary N-acetyllactosamine type glycans. The related asialo-oligosaccharides interact more strongly with the lectins. The best recognized structures were asialo-glycopeptides from fetuin. Accordingly, the kinetic interaction with immobilized asialofetuin was by far the most pronounced. Human and bovine lactotransferrins and human serotransferrin interacted to a lesser extent. The interaction with asialofetuin was inhibited by galactose in a dose dependent manner. Lactose, N-acetyllactosamine and lacto-N-biose exhibited similar degree of inhibition while N-acetylgalactosamine was a poor inhibitor. These results suggested that the carbohydrate-binding site of the Abrus pulchellus lectins was specific for galactose and possess a remarkable affinity for the sequences lactose [beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-D-Glc], N-acetyllactosamine [beta-D-Gal-(1-->4)-D-GlcNAc] and lacto-N-biose [beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-D-GlcNAc].
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Ramos
- Departamentos de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceara, Campus do Pici, Cx. Postal 6033, Fortaleza-Ceara, Brasil, 60.451-970
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Cavada BS, Calvete JJ, Souza LA, Bomfim LR, Dantas AR, Lopes MC, Grangeiro TB, Freitas BT, Pinto VP, Leite KB, Ramos MV. Purification, chemical, and immunochemical properties of a new lectin from Mimosoideae (Parkia discolor). Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2000; 30:271-80. [PMID: 11065272 DOI: 10.1080/10826060008544966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A glucose/mannose-binding lectin was isolated from seeds of Parkia discolor (Mimosoideae) using affinity chromatography on Sephadex G-100 gel. The protein presented a unique component in SDS-PAGE corresponding to a molecular mass of 58,000 Da, which is very similar to that of a closely related lectin from Parkia platycephala. Among the simple sugars tested, mannose was the best inhibitor, but biantennary glycans, containing the trimannoside core, present in N-glycoproteins, also seem to be powerful inhibitors of the haemagglutinating activity induced by the purified lectin. The protein was characterised by high content of glycine and proline and absence of cysteine. Rabbit antibodies, anti-P. platycephala seed lectin, recognised the P. discolor lectin. However, no cross-reaction was observed when a set of other legume lectins from sub-family Papilionoideae and others from families Moraceae and Euphorbiaceae were assayed with the Parkia lectins. This suggests that Parkia lectins comprise a new group of legume lectins exhibiting distinct characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Cavada
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil
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Lee HC, Goroncy AK, Peisach J, Cavada BS, Grangeiro TB, Ramos MV, Sampaio AH, Dam TK, Brewer CF. Demonstration of a conserved histidine and two water ligands at the Mn2+ site in Diocleinae lectins by pulsed EPR spectroscopy. Biochemistry 2000; 39:2340-6. [PMID: 10694401 DOI: 10.1021/bi992102b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lectins from the Diocleinae subtribe, including Canavalia brasiliensis, Canavalia bonariensis, Canavalia grandiflora, Cratylia floribunda, Dioclea grandiflora, Dioclea guianensis, Dioclea rostrata, Dioclea violacea, and Dioclea virgata, have been recently isolated and characterized in terms of their carbohydrate binding specificities. Although all of the lectins are Man/Glc specific, they possess different biological activities. In the present study, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy demonstrates that all nine Diocleinae lectins contain Mn2+. The spectra of C. floribunda and D. rostrata suggest Mn2+ site symmetry different from that of the other seven lectins. However, electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy indicates that all nine lectins are coordinated to a histidyl imidazole, with similar electron-nuclear coupling to the Mn2+-bound imidazole nitrogen. ESEEM also demonstrates ligation of two water molecules to Mn2+ in all nine Diocleinae lectins. Thus, the EPR and ESEEM data indicate the presence of a Mn2+ binding site in the above Diocleinae lectins with a conserved histidine residue and two water ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Lee
- Departments of Molecular Pharmacology, Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
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Calvete JJ, Costa FH, Saker-Sampaio S, Murciano MP, Nagano CS, Cavada BS, Grangeiro TB, Ramos MV, Bloch C, Silveira SB, Freitas BT, Sampaio AH. The amino acid sequence of the agglutinin isolated from the red marine alga Bryothamnion triquetrum defines a novel lectin structure. Cell Mol Life Sci 2000; 57:343-50. [PMID: 10766029 DOI: 10.1007/pl00000696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary structure of a lectin isolated from the red alga Bryothamnion triquetrum was established by combination of Edman degradation of sets of overlapping peptides and mass spectrometry. It contains 91 amino acids and two disulphide bonds. The primary structure of the B. triquetrum lectin does not show amino acid sequence similarity with known plant and animal lectin structures. Hence, this protein may be the paradigm of a novel lectin family.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Spain.
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Abstract
Considering that nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in anti-tumoral and anti-parasite lectin effects, in this report we investigated whether lectin induces NO production. Lectins from Canavalia brasiliensis, Dioclea grandiflora, Pisum arvense (PAA), and concanavalin A induced murine peritoneal cells to produce NO in vitro. PAA induced similar levels to that obtained with lipopolysaccharide plus interferon-gamma. NO production by adherent cells was significantly lower than that of unfractionated cells, suggesting a combination of lectin stimuli directly on macrophages and via lymphocyte stimulation. Ex vivo experiments showed that cells stimulated in vivo could maintain NO production in vitro without further stimuli. NO synthesis blockage in vivo can significantly increase cell numbers in draining lymph nodes after lectin injection compared to unblocked controls, suggesting an in vivo association of lectin stimuli and NO production. Taken together these data show that lectins can induce NO production both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Andrade
- Laboratório de Imuno-regulação e Microbiologia (LIMI) Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Bahia, 40.295-001 SSA, Brazil
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Calvete JJ, Thole HH, Raida M, Urbanke C, Romero A, Grangeiro TB, Ramos MV, Almeida da Rocha IM, Guimarães FN, Cavada BS. Molecular characterization and crystallization of Diocleinae lectins. Biochim Biophys Acta 1999; 1430:367-75. [PMID: 10082964 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4838(99)00020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Molecular characterization of seven Diocleinae lectins was assessed by sequence analysis, determination of molecular masses by mass spectrometry, and analytical ultracentrifugation equilibrium sedimentation. The lectins show distinct pH-dependent dimer-tetramer equilibria, which we hypothesize are due to small primary structure differences at key positions. Lectins from Dioclea guianensis, Dioclea virgata, and Cratylia floribunda seeds have been crystallized and preliminary X-ray diffraction analyses are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Calvete
- Instituto de Biomedicina, C.S.I.C., Jaume Roig 11, 46010, Valencia, Spain
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Ramos MV, Teixeira CR, Bomfim LR, Madeira SV, Moreira RA. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of a highly toxic protein from Abrus pulchellus seeds. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1999; 94:185-8. [PMID: 10224525 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761999000200010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M V Ramos
- BioMol-Lab, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60451-970, Brasil.
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Abstract
The seeds of Abrus pulchellus, sub-specie tenuiflorus, belonging to the Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionoideae contain highly toxic lectins exhibiting specificity for galactose and galactose-containing structures. The toxins which agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes, present a highly toxic activity in vivo when injected in the peritoneal cavity of mice (LD50=31 microg x kg(-1)) or when tested with the microcrustacean Arthemia salina (LD50=3.5 microg x ml(-1)). The active fraction was purified in a single step, by affinity chromatography on a Sepharose-4B column. The purified toxins migrated as two single bands of Mr 63000 and 61500 Da (SDS-PAGE) and Mr 31500 and 29000 Da (SDS-PAGE with 2-mercaptoethanol), respectively, suggesting the presence of disulphide-bridge interchains as occurs in other plant toxins. The antibodies anti-A. pulchellus toxins did not recognize ricin preparation and only partial identity was observed to A. precatorius toxic lectins prepared in a similar way to ricin and A. pulchellus toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Ramos
- Laboratório de Biologia, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil
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Ramos MV, Moreira RDA, Oliveira JT, Cavada BS, Rougé P. The carbohydrate-binding specificity and molecular modelling of Canavalia maritima and Dioclea grandiflora lectins. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1996; 91:761-6. [PMID: 9283661 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761996000600021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The carbohydrate-binding specificity of lectins from the seeds of Canavalia maritima and Dioclea grandiflora was studied by hapten-inhibition of haemagglutination using various sugars and sugar derivatives as inhibitors, including N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetylmuramic acid. Despite some discrepancies, both lectins exhibited a very similar carbohydrate-binding specificity as previously reported for other lectins from Diocleinae (tribe Phaseoleae, sub-tribe Diocleinae). Accordingly, both lectins exhibited almost identical hydropathic profiles and their three-dimensional models built up from the atomic coordinates of ConA looked very similar. However, docking experiments of glucose and mannose in their monosaccharide-binding sites, by comparison with the ConA-mannose complex used as a model, revealed conformational changes in side chains of the amino acid residues involved in the binding of monosaccharides. These results fully agree with crystallographic data showing that binding of specific ligands to ConA requires conformational chances of its monosaccharide-binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquimica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brasil
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Abstract
The data on post-renal transplantation urine leaks in 23 patients were retrospectively reviewed to assess the role of percutaneous urine-diverting procedures in their treatment. The leaks were confirmed by means of antegrade pyelography, and either a nephrostomy catheter or a nephroureteral stent was placed. Nephrostography was performed frequently to evaluate leak closure. Urinary diversion was continued for an average of 68 days. Leak closure was documented in 20 of 23 (87%) cases. In four patients, concomitant infection or multiorgan failure precluded adequate therapy. One patient developed a ureteral stricture after the urine-diverting procedure and required surgical correction. The results suggest that percutaneous urine-diverting procedures are a definitive treatment for post-renal transplantation urine leaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Matalon
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612
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Turner DA, Fordham EW, Pagano JV, Ali AA, Ramos MV, Ramachandran PC. Brain scanning with the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner as a second examination evaluation by the ROC method. Radiology 1976; 121:115-24. [PMID: 959524 DOI: 10.1148/121.1.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
One hundred and one patients (43 abnormal, 58 normal) were re-examined with a commercial prototype of the Anger multiplane tomographic scanner after brain scintigraphy. The studies were interpreted independently by four observers of varying experience. Observer performance, in terms of ROC curves, was substantially better when interpreting the tomographic brain scans and camera scintigrams together or the tomographic scans alone than when interpreting the camera images alone. Re-examination with the scanner increases the accuracy of brain scintigraphy (observer performance) in cases in which there is difficulty distinguishing intracranial lesions from superficial foci of activity by camera scintigraphy alone.
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