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Silva CA, Gomes MT, Ferreira RS, Rodrigues KC, Val CG, Lopes MT, Mello VJ, Salas CE. A mitogenic protein fraction in latex from Carica candamarcensis. Planta Med 2003; 69:926-932. [PMID: 14648396 DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Latex from Caricaceae contains a number of proteins believed to be part of a defense mechanism that protects these plants from wounding. Prior evidence suggests that some components in Carica papaya improve healing of ulcerous wounds in mammals. This study shows the chromatographic isolation of a protein fraction from C. candamarcensis that stimulates cell proliferation of mammalian cells by measuring MTT reduction and thymidine incorporation. The effect appears to be cell specific as L929, MDA-MB231 and BHK-21 cells are stimulated while no effect is seen on CHO cells. The maximal stimulatory effect reaches 2.2-fold 72 h after addition of the active fraction to L929, 1.8-fold in MDA-MB231 cells and 1.6-fold in BHK cells. Proteolytic inactivation of the active fraction suggests that a protein is responsible for the proliferative activity and its size is estimated between 10 and 25 kDa. A potential candidate for this function is a 23 kDa protein found in the fraction that reacts with human EGF antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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Zanini MS, Moreira EC, Lopes MT, Oliveira RS, Leão SC, Fioravanti RL, Roxo E, Zumarraga M, Romano MI, Cataldi A, Salas CE. Mycobacterium bovis: polymerase chain reaction identification in bovine lymphonode biopsies and genotyping in isolates from Southeast Brazil by spolygotyping and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2001; 96:809-13. [PMID: 11562707 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762001000600012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by direct PCR of mediastinal lymphnode DNA and microbiological tests were compared in cattle suspicious of bearing tuberculous-like lesions detected during slaughter. The PCR procedure applied on DNA samples (n=54) obtained by adding alpha -casein into the thiocyanate extraction mix was positive in 70% of the samples. PCR confirmed the identification of 23 samples (100%) that grew in culture, 9 samples (60%) that failed to grow in culture, plus 6 (37.5%) samples that resulted in growth of bacterial contaminants. Genotyping by IS6110-RFLP and DR-spoligotyping analysis of seven samples revealed the presence of several polimorphisms. Seven of the isolates contained multiple copies of IS6110, thus defining the existence of five singular genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Zanini
- Escola de Veterinária, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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Pereira MT, Lopes MT, Meira WO, Salas CE. Purification of a cysteine proteinase from Carica candamarcensis L. and cloning of a genomic putative fragment coding for this enzyme. Protein Expr Purif 2001; 22:249-57. [PMID: 11437601 DOI: 10.1006/prep.2001.1443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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
We describe the purification of a cysteine proteinase from latex of Carica candamarcensis, hereby designated CC23. The enzyme has been purified by ion-exchange chromatography and behaves electrophoretically as a monomer of M(r) 23,000 and optimal pH of 8.0. It displays a basic isoelectric point, has one cysteine residue in the active site by titration with E-64, confirmed by DNA sequencing, and responds to proteinase inhibitors as a classic cysteine proteinase. The K(m) and k(cat)/K(m) for CC23 using BAPNA were respectively 14.7 +/- 1.8 x 10(-4) M and 1.3 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1). Therefore, the catalytic efficiency of CC23 is sixfold higher than that of CC-I, another proteinase from the same plant. DNA primers were designed to amplify by PCR a genomic sequence related to this enzyme. An 895-bp DNA fragment was cloned and sequenced. It shows strong homology with chymopapain isoform IV from C. papaya. The translated sequence is similar to that of chymopapain isoform II (73%) and CC-III (77%) from C. candamarcensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Pereira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Institutto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Veloso IF, Lopes MT, Salas CE, Moreira EC. A comparison of three DNA extractive procedures with Leptospira for polymerase chain reaction analysis. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2000; 95:339-43. [PMID: 10800191 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762000000300008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Three DNA extraction methods were evaluated in this study: proteinase K followed by phenol-chloroform; a plant proteinase (E6870) followed by phenol-chloroform; and boiling of leptospires in 0.1 mM Tris, pH 7.0 for 10 min at 100 degrees C, with no phenol treatment. Every strain treated with proteinase K or E6870 afforded positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction. On the other hand, from five strains extracted by the boiling method, three did not feature the 849 bp band characteristic in Leptospira. We also evaluated by RAPD-PCR, DNAs from serovars isolated with proteinase K and proteinase 6870 with primers B11/B12. Each of the DNA samples provided PCR profiles in agreement with previous data. Moreover, the results with E6870 showed less background non-specific amplification, suggesting that removal of nucleases was more efficient with E6870. The limit for detection by PCR using Lep13/Lep14 was determined to be 10(2) leptospira, using the silver stain procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- I F Veloso
- Laboratório de Zoonoses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brasil.
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Duarte DS, Dolabela MF, Salas CE, Raslan DS, Oliveiras AB, Nenninger A, Wiedemann B, Wagner H, Lombardi J, Lopes MT. Chemical characterization and biological activity of Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae). J Pharm Pharmacol 2000; 52:347-52. [PMID: 10757425 DOI: 10.1211/0022357001773904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) has been widely used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antimalarial and antivenereal. The purpose of this study was to chemically characterize the main plant components, and to evaluate the biological properties of some of the fractions derived from leaves (MACb) and liana (MACa) of this plant. Chemical characterization allowed the identification of the compounds corymboside, vicenin-2, quercitrin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterylglucoside, allantoin and lapachol. The biological screening of fractions and/or purified substances derived from fractions revealed antitumoral and antitrypanosomal activities in fractions MACa/lapachol and MACb/MACb21, respectively. The anti-lipoxygenase and anti-cyclooxygenase effect seen in fractions MACa and MACb showed a partial correlation with the anti-inflammatory property attributed to this plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Duarte
- Departamento de Física/Química, CECET, UNIVALE, Brasil
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Abstract
A simple method was developed for DNA extraction of Mycobacterium bovis in milk and further detection of the bacterium by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Milk previously seeded with M. bovis was used as the starting material. The procedure involved overnight digestion of a milk sample with proteinase K at 56 degrees C and phenol extraction, followed by ethanol precipitation and PCR. The amplification pattern obtained was analyzed with primers BW8-BW9 which amplify a 248 bp in strains of M. bovis. By using the BW8-BW9 primers, 10(3) CFU were detected on silver-stained PAGE gels. The procedure was validated by PCR analysis of milk in tuberculin-positive animals. It is anticipated that this method can be used for routine diagnosis of M. bovis in milk samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Zanini
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Genelhu MS, Zanini MS, Veloso IF, Carneiro AM, Lopes MT, Salas CE. Use of a cysteine proteinase from Carica candamarcensis as a protective agent during DNA extraction. Braz J Med Biol Res 1998; 31:1129-32. [PMID: 9876279 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x1998000900005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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] Open
Abstract
We describe the use of a plant cysteine proteinase isolated from latex of Carica candamarcensis as a protective agent during isolation of bacterial DNA following growth in culture of these cells. Between 100 to 720 units of proteinase (1 microgram = 6 units) afforded good DNA protection when incubated with various kinds of microorganisms. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the resulting DNA was similar in size to DNA preparations obtained by treatment with proteinase K. The viability of the resulting material was checked by PCR amplification using species-specific primers. After standing at room temperature (25 degrees C) for 35 days, the enzyme lost 10% of its initial activity. The enzyme stability and good yield of DNA suggest the use of this proteinase as an alternative to proteinase K.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Genelhu
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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Dolabela MF, Pereira MT, Salas CE, Steffani GM, Nelson DL, Piló-Veloso D, Lopes MT. The radioprotective effect of a new aminothiol (20-PRA). Braz J Med Biol Res 1998; 31:1095-8. [PMID: 9777017 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x1998000800010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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] Open
Abstract
We examined the radioprotective effect of aminothiol 2-N-propylamine-cyclo-hexanethiol (20-PRA) on a human leukemic cell line (K562) following various radiation doses (5, 7.5 and 20 Gy) using a source of 60Co gamma-rays. At 5 Gy and 1 nM 20-PRA, a substantial protective effect (58%) was seen 24 h after irradiation, followed by a decrease at 48 h (11%). At the high radiation dose (20 Gy) a low protective effect was also seen (35%). In addition, the antitumorigenic potential of 10 nM 20-PRA was shown by the inhibition of crown gall formation induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The radioprotective potency of 20-PRA is 10(5)-10(6) times higher than that of the aminothiol WR-1065 (N-(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane) whose protective effect is in the 0.1 to 1.0 mM range.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Dolabela
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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Abstract
We describe the changes in peptide composition by SDS-PAGE analysis of latex from Carica papaya collected at various times after incision of the unripe fruit. The data show that during latex coagulation several peptides are processed in an orderly fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
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Abstract
The MEL-85 human melanoma cell line was used to investigate the effects of both estradiol and dexamethasone on expression of laminin (LM) receptors and cell adhesion capacity. Immunoblotting of eluates from whole-cell extracts applied to LM Sepharose indicates the presence of an LM-binding protein of 116-130 kDa that reacted with an anti-beta 1 integrin antibody, suggesting that the putative LM receptor of MEL-85 cells is a member of the integrin family. Analysis of 125I-LM binding to whole cells indicates the existence of low-affinity components which display positive co-operativity. LM-fragment-8 competes for this binding to the same extent as unlabelled LM (75%), while fragment PI is inactive and fibronectin (FN) competes by about 30% only. Binding of labelled fragment-8 exhibits a pattern similar to that of intact LM. Cell adhesion to substrates coated with LM and LM fragments closely parallels binding to cells in suspension. MEL-85 cells were estradiol-receptor-negative. Estradiol treatment did not stimulate LM receptor levels or attachment to LM. Growth rate also remained unaltered. To characterize the glucocorticoid dependence of MEL-85 cells, we first established the presence of glucocorticoid receptors and an inhibitory effect on growth rate. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in marked enhancement of adhesion to LM, without altering LM receptor number or affinity. In addition, dexamethasone changed the morphology of MEL-85 cells in conjunction with higher LM expression as evaluated by immunofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T Lopes
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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Lopes MT, Chammas R, Brentani MM. Laminin and fibronectin interactions with human melanoma cells: effect of glucocorticoids. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1991; 86 Suppl 3:121-2. [PMID: 1845238 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02761991000700024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M T Lopes
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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Lopes MT, Liberato MH, Widman A, Brentani MM. Occupied and unoccupied type II estrogen binding sites in human breast cancer. J Steroid Biochem 1987; 26:219-26. [PMID: 3560938 DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(87)90075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Using a saturation analysis over a wide range of [3H]estradiol at two temperatures 4 and 22 degrees C we have determined unoccupied (4 degrees C) and total (22 degrees C) type II estrogen binding site (EBS) levels in individual cytosols of 100 patients with breast cancer (50 post and 50 premenopausal). Exchange was found to be complete after 18 h at 22 degrees C and receptor degradation was negligible during this treatment. Steroid specificity and affinity determined by Scatchard and Rosenthal plot analysis were not altered at 22 degrees C. Carcinomas presented a higher total type II REBS level as compared unfilled type II binding sites or the classical ER, independently of menopausal status, phase of the menstrual cycle or positivity of ER. On the other hand, unoccupied type II EBS level was strongly correlated to the concentration of type I ER, being higher on the post-menopausal group and older patients.
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Abstract
Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) were evaluated in 10 meningiomas using a dextran charcoal coated method. We consider as positive specific receptor values greater than or equal to 10 fMol/mg protein. In this study 20% of the meningiomas contained very low titers of specific ER. PR was detectable in 90% of the tumors, at high levels. The mean PR content of PR+ tumors was 60 +/- 38 fMol/mg prot. GR and AR were present in moderate levels, in 70% of the tumors. Competition studies demonstrated steroid specificity for these hormone-binding proteins. Female patients have a higher receptor incidence and titer. In conclusion, it can be hypothesized that the meningioma are a target tissue for steroids and that endocrine therapy may be relevant to unoperable and/or recurrent tumors.
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Abstract
Sixty-six human ductal infiltrative breast carcinomas were examined for their estrogen receptor (ER) by the dextran-coated charcoal procedure and for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by immunofluorescence with the aid of monoclonal antibodies. Statistically significant differences in CEA positivity were found between stage III (33%) and stage II (19%) tumors (Z = 2.08; p less than 0.02) and between ER + (22%) and ER- (37%) tumors (Z = 2.083; p less than 0.02). An inverse correlation was observed between positivity and receptor concentrations. No difference in CEA positivity was observed between pre- and post-menopausal women.
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Brentani MM, Lopes MT, Pereyra EG, Pacheco MM, Oshima CT, Widman A, De Almeida PC. [Estrogen and progesterone receptors in uterine cervix]. J Bras Ginecol 1985; 95:411-5. [PMID: 12267713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
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Abstract
Cytosolic estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR), and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors were evaluated in 6 meningiomas and 12 gliomas (6 astrocytomas and 6 glioblastomas) using a dextran-coated charcoal method. Thirty-three percent (two) of the meningiomas and 17% (two) of the gliomas contained positive (greater than or equal to 10 fmol/mg protein) but low ER levels. On the other hand, positive PR, GR, and AR levels were detectable in 100% (six) of the meningiomas. PR was present in 50% (six), AR in 42% (five), and GR in 58% (seven) of the gliomas. PR, GR, and AR values were statistically higher in meningiomas than in neuroepithelial tumors.
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Lopes MT. [Secondary hemolytic anemias. 3]. Rev Bras Med 1968; 25:199-203. [PMID: 5740561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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