Differential effects of egg albumen content on barn swallow nestlings in relation to hatch order

In diverse animal taxa, egg mass variation mediates maternal effects with long-term consequences for offspring ontogeny and fitness. Patterns of egg mass variation with laying order differ considerably among birds, but no study has experimentally investigated the function of variation in albumen or yolk egg content in the wild. In barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), absolute and relative albumen mass increased with egg laying order. Experimental albumen removal delayed hatching, had larger negative effects on growth of late-hatched nestlings, and reduced nestling survival. Laying order positively predicted hatch order. Because nestling competitive ability depends on size, and albumen egg content influences hatchling size, present results suggest that by increasing albumen content of late eggs mothers reduce hatching asynchrony and enhance growth particularly of late-hatched nestlings. Thus, variation in albumen mass with laying order may function to mitigate the negative phenotypic consequences of hatching late in species that adopt a 'brood-survival' strategy.

The interaction of the cell-penetrating peptide penetratin with heparin, heparansulfates and phospholipid vesicles investigated by ESR spectroscopy

An ESR investigation of the interaction of spin-labelled penetratin with heparin, heparansulfates and several phospholipid vesicle formulations is reported. Penetratin is a 16-aa peptide corresponding to the third helix of the Antennapedia homeodomain and belonging to the cell-penetrating peptide family. The present study shows that ESR spectroscopy can provide specific and reliable information about the mechanism of interaction of penetratin with polysaccharides and lipids, at a molecular level. The study showed that: (i) heparin and heparansulfates specifically interact with spin-labelled penetratin and promote peptide aggregation and concentration on their molecular surface; (ii) penetratin does not interact with neutral lipids, whereas it enters negatively charged lipid bilayers; (iii) cholesterol plays a negative effect on the insertion of penetratin into the lipid membrane; (iv) the interaction of penetratin with lipid vesicles is strongly dependent on lipid concentration. In a low lipid regime, penetratin associates with the polar heads of phospholipids and aggregates on the membrane surface; once the lipid concentration attains a threshold, the peptide enters the lipid bilayer. This step is characterized by reduced peptide mobility and partial disaggregation.It has been shown that ESR spectroscopy is a valuable investigation tool in studies related to the still unclear mechanism of the internalization process.

Humoral immune response in relation to senescence, sex and sexual ornamentation in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Performance of animals may decline with age. The effects of senescence, however, may differ between the sexes because of differences in physiology and behaviour. Acquired immunity provides hosts with efficient mechanisms of anti-parasite defence, but the effect of senescence on immunocompetence has never been studied in natural populations. In the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), primary antibody response to an antigen during one breeding season declined with age in females, while secondary response during the following breeding season declined with age in both sexes. Parasite-mediated sexual selection theory posits that male secondary sexual characters reveal resistance to parasites. Males with large tail ornaments had stronger primary response, retained larger antibody levels until the following year, but did not differ in secondary response compared with short-tailed males, as predicted if ornamentation reflects resistance to parasites. This is the first study showing that immunocompetence declines with age in any vertebrate under natural conditions.

Maternal antibodies but not carotenoids in barn swallow eggs covary with embryo sex

Mothers influence their offspring phenotype by varying egg quality. Such maternal effects may be mediated by transmission of antibodies and antioxidants. Mothers should adjust allocation of maternal substances depending on embryonic sex because of differences in reproductive value, potentially dependent on paternal genetic effects as reflected by secondary sexual characters. We manipulated sexual attractiveness of male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) and investigated maternal investment in eggs in relation to offspring sex. Mothers allocated more antibodies against a pathogen to eggs with a daughter than a son. However, concentration of antioxidants was independent of embryonic sex. Sex-dependent allocation was independent of paternal attractiveness. Thus, mothers adjusted allocation of substances to offspring in a complex manner, that may be part of a strategy of favouritism of daughters, which have larger mortality than sons. Such effects may have important consequences for secondary and tertiary sex ratios, but also for ontogeny of adult phenotype.

Glu375Gln and Asp225Val mutants: about the nature of the covalent linkages between heme group and apo-Protein in bovine lactoperoxidase

In analogy with studies previously reported for myeloperoxidase (Kooter, I. M.; Moguilevsky, N.; Bollen, A.; Van der Veen, L. A.; Otto, C.; Dekker, H. L.; Wever, R. J. Biol. Chem. 1999, 274, 26794), we examined for bovine lactoperoxidase the effect of mutation of Asp225 and Glu375, the residues thought to be responsible for the covalent binding of the heme group to the apoprotein. Starting from the plasmid encoding rbLPO (Watanabe, S.; Varsalona, F.; Yoo, Y.; Guillaume, J. P.; Bollen, A.; Shimazaki, K.; Moguilevsky, N. FEBS Letters 1998, 441, 476), which was engineered to carry mutations in correspondence of those residues, the mutants Asp225Val and Glu375Gln were expressed in CHO cells and their products purified and characterized. Unequivocal evidence about the existence of ester linkages as well as their relative contribution to the specific spectroscopic and catalytic properties of bLPO is here discussed.

Can estrogenic radicals, generated by lactoperoxidase, be involved in the molecular mechanism of breast carcinogenesis?

Mutations of regulatory genes, which perturb the mechanism of cell replication resulting in abnormal cell proliferation, are the main cause of cancer. Many endogenous and exogenous chemicals (including estrogenic hormones) are known to represent a major carcinogenic risk for humans. 2-OH- and 4-OH-derivatives of estrogenic molecules have been shown to form stable adducts with purine DNA bases and act as 'depurinating' agents, thus altering gene transcription (Cavalieri EL, Stack DE, Devanesan PD et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1997; 94: 10937-10942). Lactoperoxidase (LPO), which is produced by mammary glands, is likely to be involved in breast carcinogenesis, because of its ability to interact with estrogenic hormones and oxidise them through two one-electron reaction steps. We investigated the reactivity of LPO towards five molecules: 17-beta-estradiol (a natural hormone), diethylstilbestrol (a synthetic drug, supplied to pregnant women for preventing spontaneous abortion), exestrol (a synthetic antigonadotropic estrogen), 2-OH- and 4-OH-estradiol (catabolic products of estradiol). Enzymatically generated radical derivatives of such molecules were stabilized by spin-trapping or by chelation of a diamagnetic metal ion and characterized with EPR spectroscopy. A kinetic study of the oxidation process was carried out using EPR and UV-visible spectroscopy.

Ionic strength and pH effect on the Fe(III)-imidazolate bond in the heme pocket of horseradish peroxidase: an EPR and UV-visible combined approach

The effects of chloride, dihydrogenphosphate and ionic strength on the spectroscopic properties of horseradish peroxidase in aqueous solution at pH=3.0 were investigated. A red-shift (lambda=408 nm) of the Soret band was observed in the presence of 40 mM chloride; 500 mM dihydrogenphosphate or chloride brought about a blue shift of the same band (lambda=370 nm). The EPR spectrum of the native enzyme at pH 3.0 was characterized by the presence of two additional absorption bands in the region around g=6, with respect to pH 6.5. Chloride addition resulted in the loss of these features and in a lower rhombicity of the signal. A unique EPR band at g=6.0 was obtained as a result of the interaction between HRP and dihydrogenphosphate, both in the absence and presence of 40 mM Cl-. We suggest that a synergistic effect of low pH, Cl- and ionic strength is responsible for dramatic modifications of the enzyme conformation consistent with the Fe(II)-His170 bond cleavage. Dihydrogenphosphate as well as high chloride concentrations are shown to display an unspecific effect, related to ionic strength. A mechanistic explanation for the acid transition of HRP, previously observed by Smulevich et al. [Biochemistry 36 (1997) 640] and interpreted as a pure pH effect, is proposed.

Determination of the carbohydrate composition and the disulfide bond linkages of bovine lactoperoxidase by mass spectrometry

The extent and distribution of N-glycosylation and the nature of most of the disulfide bond linkages were determined for bovine lactoperoxidase through proteolytic and glycolytic digestions combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis. In addition, 98% of the primary sequence of the protein was confirmed. All five of the asparagines present in sequons were found to be glycosylated, predominantly by high mannose and complex structures. Six disulfide bonds were assigned, including Cys 32-Cys 45, Cys 146-Cys 156, Cys 150-Cys 174, Cys 254-Cys 265, Cys 473-Cys 530 and Cys 571-Cys 596.

Oxidative 4-dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase

The well-known and easily available horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzes the H2O2-dependent oxidative 4-dechlorination of the pollutant 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is recalcitrant to many organisms except those producing ligninases. UV-visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified the oxidized reaction product as 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. NMR and IR spectroscopic data further supported the above characterization. Experimental evidence for the elimination of HCl from the substrate was acquired by detecting the decrease in pH of the reaction mixture, and by observing the presence of the beta-chlorocyclopentadienone cation fragment in the mass spectrum of 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone. Consequently, nucleophilic attack by water on the 2,4,6-trichlorocyclohexadienone cation was proposed to give the final product. Our results indicate an oxidative dechlorination pathway catalyzed by HRP for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, similar to that by extracellular lignin peroxidases. The relative catalytic efficiency of HRP seems higher than that of lignin peroxidases. The HRP-H2O2 catalytic system could be utilized in the degradation of polychlorinated phenols for industrial and biotechnological purposes.

Catechol(amine)s as probes of lactoperoxidase catalytic site structure: spectroscopic and modeling studies

Binding affinities to lactoperoxidase (LPO) of a homologous series of substituted catechol(amine)s [such as catechol, 4-methylcatechol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid; dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline; L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine] were studied by UV-visible spectroscopy and docking simulations. Dissociation constant (Kd) values were calculated by direct fitting of the experimental data and fall in a range of 3-95 mM. Thermodynamic parameters are comparable with those reported for the interaction of LPO with p-substituted phenols, suggesting a similar general mode of binding. Furthermore, the relative contributions to binding energy, described by the unimolecular constant Ku, show that interaction between protein and ligands originates from a relatively large number of groups. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations, in agreement with experimental evidence, predict that the substrate is localized into the access channel in the vicinity of heme distal pocket. This channel is characterized by a hydrophobic patch (six Phe residues) and by a charged contribution (two Glu and one His residues). All of the substrates, except caffeic acid, may approach the protein active site. Positively charged Arg372 acts as a gate above the heme distal pocket and seems to address substrate orientation in relation to the side-chain terminal group.

Spectroscopic and binding studies on the interaction of inorganic anions with lactoperoxidase

The interaction of several inorganic species (SCN-, I-, Br-, Cl-, F-, NO2-, N3-, CN-) with bovine lactoperoxidase was investigated through kinetic and binding studies by using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The above ligands form 1:1 complexes with the protein and can be assigned to three different groups, on the basis of the dissociation constant values (KD) of the adducts: (1) SCN-, I-, Br-, and Cl- (KD increases along the series); (2) F- (which shows a singular behavior); (3) NO2-, N3-, and CN- (that bind at the iron site). KD values for the LPO/SCN- adduct appeared to be modified in the presence of other inorganic species; a strong competition between this substrate and all other anions (with the exception of F-) was evidentiated. Binding investigations on the natural substrates SCN- and I-, at varying pH and temperature, showed that their interaction with lactoperoxidase involves the protonation of a common site in proximity of the iron (possibly distal histidine). Michaelis-Menten constants for SCN-, I-, and Br- followed roughly the same trend as KD; KM for hydrogen peroxide is strongly dependent on the cosubstrate. Computer-assisted docking simulations showed that all ligands can penetrate inside the heme pocket.

The role of allopurinol in preventing oxygen free radical injury to skeletal muscle and endothelial cells after ischemia-reperfusion

One of the most important mechanisms in the production of ischemic damage after replantation surgery is the rise of oxygen free radicals during revascularization of ischemic tissues. Free radicals produce damage in the cell membranes (lipoperoxydation). This occurs not only in muscle tissue, but also in endothelial cells, with a consequent increase of local edema and the risk of compartment syndrome. This study attempted to interrupt the ischemic-reperfusion injury process in ischemic rat hindlimbs. Complete ischemia was induced for different numbers of hours (3, 6, 9, 12 hr) in four groups of rats (24 animals in each group). Allopurinol, an oxygen free radical scavenger, was tested in solution, 12.5 mg/kg b.w., in half the studied animals (n = 12). Collected data showed an increase (mean value: 0.60 nM/mg 3 hri 0.90 nM/mg at 6 hr; 0.80 nM/mg at 9 hr; 0.89 nM/mg at 12 hr; mean value in nonischemic muscle = 0.526 nM/mg) in lipoperoxides (NS between treated/untreated groups, p > 0.05) and high tissue pressure values in the posterior compartment of the ischemic rat hindlimbs. Allopurinol reduced the pressure values (p < 0.05 in Groups 1-3; p < 0.1 in Group 4), but was not effective in reducing lipoperoxides in skeletal muscle.

Spectroscopic investigations on the highly purified lactoperoxidase Fe(III)-heme catalytic site

Purification of the lactoperoxidase (LPO) major cationic isoenzyme was significantly improved by the use of preparative chromatographic and electrophoretic methods combined with analytical electrophoretic techniques and image processing. A detailed report is given of the experimental procedure. Furthermore, electron paramagnetic resonance has played a fundamental role in evaluating the enzyme purity against lactoferrin and minor LPO isoenzyme components in setting the final steps of the purification. With the aim to completely clarify the Fe(III)-heme high-spin nature of the native LPO, two samples of lactoperoxidase, LPO1 and LPO2 (RZ = 0.95) from farm and commercial milk, respectively, were purified and characterized in particular by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, in comparison with a commercial preparation (LPOs). The LPO1 EPR spectrum, at physiological pH, is clearly indictive of the presence of an iron(III)-heme high-spin catalytic site in the native enzyme. On the contrary, in the LPO2 spectrum a thermal equilibrium between high- and low-spin iron(III)-heme species is present. The low-spin component of the spectrum has been assigned to an LPO-NO2- adduct due to the presence of some nitrite impurities originating either from commercial unpasteurized milk or from external sources. The LPOs EPR spectrum shwos the presence of some spurious lines in the g approximately equal to 6 and 4 regions due to the minor LPO isoenzyme components and to lactoferrin, respectively. The LPO EPR spectra previously reported in the literature contain a variable number of spurious lines in the g approximately equal to 4 and 2 regions as a consequence of lactoferrin impurity and LPO low-spin adducts with endogenous or exogenous anions. Furthermore, the interaction of LPO with its native substrate (the thiocyanate anion), which previously was shown by NMR and EPR (at high substrate concentration) spectroscopies, has been confirmed by EPR at low temperature and low substrate concentration and by optical spectroscopy at room temperature and high substrate concentration as a function of pH. The LPO activity at optimum pH (approximately equal to 4-5) has been measured in phosphate and acetate buffer using as an oxidizable substrate the system dimethylamino benzoic acid 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride monohydrate (DMAB-MBTH), which was considered a good chromogen for other peroxidases such as HRP and zucchini peroxidases. The LPO vs SCN- activity at optimum pH (approximately equal to 5.5) has been measured in phosphate and acetate buffer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Spectroscopic and binding studies on the stereoselective interaction of tyrosine with horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase

The interaction of a series of derivatives of tyrosine with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) was studied by using optical difference spectroscopy, c.d. and proton n.m.r. spectroscopy in order to reveal differences in the mode of binding of L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine, which are substrates of but react at different rates with the two peroxidases, to HRP and LPO. All the donor molecules form 1:1 complexes with HRP and LPO, but they display a range of affinities for the enzymes. Whereas D-tyrosine binds to HRP more strongly than does L-tyrosine, the opposite holds for the binding to LPO. The distances of the protons of bound tyrosine molecules from the haem iron atoms of HRP and LPO indicate that the site of binding of these substrates is the same as that of simple phenols. This involves the interaction of the phenol nucleus with a protein tyrosine residue [Sakurada, Takahashi & Hosoya (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9657-9662; Modi, Behere & Mitra (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 996, 214-225]. However, for the present substrates the additional interaction of the carboxylate group with a protein residue (probably an arginine residue) provides further stabilization for the adducts HRP-D-tyrosine and LPO-L-tyrosine with respect to the corresponding complexes with the opposite enantiomers. The differences in the mode of binding of L-tyrosine and D-tyrosine to HRP and LPO is thus determined by the fact that the spatial arrangement of the interacting protein residues can recognize the chirality of the C(alpha)-CO2- and C(beta)-C6H4OH attachment bonds of the substrates.

Changes of serum iron transferrin and copper ceruloplasmin in rats given Cu(II)2 (acetylsalicylate)4 during acute inflammation

Modifications of serum levels of iron transferrin and copper ceruloplasmin after acute inflammation by carrageenan and treatment with acetyl salicylic acid [ASA] or Cu(II)2(acetylsalicylate)4 [Cu(II)2(AS)4] were studied in the rat by EPR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the ulcerogenic potential of the two drugs was investigated after a single high oral dose. Our results indicate that Cu(II)2(AS)4 is more effective than ASA in limiting the inflammation provoked by the phlogogen. In these conditions the iron(III) non-heme and copper(II) ceruloplasmin concentration in serum was modified either during inflammation or after treatment with antiphlogistic agents: in carrageenan-injected rats the level of serum iron(III) non-heme was found to be very low, while the copper(II) ceruloplasmin concentration was partially reduced. On the other hand, after the pharmacological treatments, no changes of iron transferrin were observed and the concentration of copper ceruloplasmin was increased. With regard to their ulcerogenic effect, ASA appeared to be more irritating for gastric mucosa than Cu(II)2(AS)4.