Bioactive compounds from natural resources against skin aging

Skin aging involves degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in both the epidermal and dermal layers, it leaves visible signs on the surface of skin and the physical properties of the skin are modified. Chronological aging is due to passage of time, whereas premature aging occurred due to some environmental factors on skin produces visible signs such as irregular dryness, dark/light pigmentation, sallowness, severe atrophy, telangiectases, premalignant lesions, laxity, leathery appearance and deep wrinkling. There are several synthetic skincare cosmetics existing in the market to treat premature aging and the most common adverse reactions of those include allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, phototoxic and photo-allergic reactions. Recent trends in anti-aging research projected the use of natural products derived from ancient era after scientific validation. Ample varieties of phytomolecules such as aloin, ginsenoside, curcumin, epicatechin, asiaticoside, ziyuglycoside I, magnolol, gallic acid, hydroxychavicol, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, etc. scavenges free radicals from skin cells, prevent trans-epidermal water loss, include a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher contribute to protect skin from wrinkles, leading to glowing and healthy younger skin. Present era of treating aging skin has become technologically more invasive; but herbal products including botanicals are still relevant and combining them with molecular techniques outlined throughout this review will help to maximize the results and maintain the desired anti-skin aging benefits.

Characterization of the copper(II)- and nickel(II)-transport site of human serum albumin. Studies of copper(II) and nickel(II) binding to peptide 1-24 of human serum albumin by 13C and 1H NMR spectroscopy

As a basis for understanding the role of albumin in the transport of metal ions, detailed investigations have been carried out to elucidate the structure of Ni(II)- and Cu(II)-binding site of the peptide residue corresponding to the NH2-terminal peptide fragment 1-24 of human serum albumin by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These studies have been conducted in aqueous medium at different pH values and at different ligand/metal ratios. The results show the following: (i) Diamagnetic Ni(II) complex and paramagnetic Cu(II) complex are in slow exchange NMR time scale. (ii) Titration results of Ni(II)-bound form of peptide 1-24 show the presence of a 1:1 complex in the wide pH range (6.0-11.0), and the same stoichiometry is proposed for Cu(II) as well. (iii) Analysis of the spectra suggests that both Ni(II) and Cu(II) have one specific binding site at the NH2-terminal tripeptide segment (Asp-Ala-His...) involving the Asp alpha-NH2, His N(1) imidazole, two deprotonated peptide nitrogens (Ala NH and His NH), and the Asp COO- group. (iv) Complexation of Ni(II) and Cu(II) causes conformational change near the metal-binding site of the polypeptide chain, but there is no other binding group involved besides those in the first three residues.

Structural characterization of proteins with an attached ATCUN motif by paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR spectroscopy

The use of a short, three-residue Cu(2+)-binding sequence, the ATCUN motif, is presented as an approach for extracting long-range distance restraints from relaxation enhancement NMR spectroscopy. The ATCUN motif is prepended to the N-termini of proteins and binds Cu(2+) with a very high affinity. Relaxation rates of amide protons in ATCUN-tagged protein in the presence and absence of Cu(2+) can be converted into distance restraints and used for structure refinement by using a new routine, PMAG, that has been written for the structure calculation program CNS. The utility of the approach is demonstrated with an application to ATCUN-tagged ubiquitin. Excellent agreement between measured relaxation rates and those calculated on the basis of the X-ray structure of the protein have been obtained.

Effects of cypermethrin and carbofuran on certain hematological parameters and prediction of their recovery in a freshwater teleost, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Sublethal effects of cypermethrin and carbofuran on hematological parameters and their complete recovery were studied in Labeo rohita as a function of exposure time. Exposure of Labeo rohita to sublethal levels of cypermethrin and carbofuran resulted in significantly (P<0.05) lower values for erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb), and hematocrit compared with the control group. In contrast, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in leukocyte count (TLC) in the pesticide-treated group. Mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) increased in response to both pesticides during the study. The rate of recovery or extrapolation time between Days 0 and 28 of the recovery period revealed that RBC completely recovered from cypermethrin toxicity on Days 80, 86.6, and 90 and TLC recovered on Days 60, 62.7, and 63.3 in fish exposed to 0.16, 0.40, and 0.80 microL/L cypermethrin, respectively. In the case of carbofuran toxicity, the complete recovery for RBC was on Days 100, 101.5, and 102, and for TLC, on Days 77, 77.6, and 79.3 in fish exposed to 0.06, 0.15, and 0.30 mg/L carbofuran, respectively. TLC recovered faster than RBC. RBC and TLC of fish exposed to carbofuran took more time to complete recovery than RBC and TLC in fish exposed to cypermethrin.

Expression, purification, and metal binding properties of the N-terminal domain from the wilson disease putative copper-transporting ATPase (ATP7B)

The putative copper binding domain from the copper-transporting ATPase implicated in Wilson disease (ATP7B) has been expressed and purified as a fusion to glutathione S-transferase. Immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography revealed that the fusion protein is able to bind to columns charged with different transition metals with varying affinities as follows: Cu(II)>>Zn(II)>Ni(II)>Co(II). The fusion protein did not bind to columns charged with Fe(II) or Fe(III). 65Zinc(II) blotting analysis showed that the domain is able to bind Zn(II) over a range of pH values from 6.5 to 9.0. Competition 65Zn(II) blotting showed that Cd(II), Hg(II), Au(III), and Fe(III) can successfully compete with Zn(II), at comparable concentrations, for binding to the domain. In contrast, the domain had little or no affinity for Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), and Ni(II) relative to copper. Neutron activation analysis of the copper bound to the domain showed a copper:protein ratio of 6.5-7.3:1. Both Cu(II) and Cu(I) were found to have a higher affinity for the domain relative to Zn(II). In addition, a sharp, reproducible transition was only observed in competition experiments with copper, which may suggest that copper binding has some degree of cooperativity.

Nickel(II) transport in human blood serum. Studies of nickel(II) binding to human albumin and to native-sequence peptide, and ternary-complex formation with L-histidine

Detailed studies are reported on the Ni(II)-binding site of human serum albumin (HSA) and the results are compared with those obtained from the N-terminal native-sequence peptide, l-aspartyl-l-alanyl-l-histidine N-methylamide (Asp-Ala-His-NHMe). Equilibrium dialysis of HSA and Ni(II) in 0.1m-N-ethylmorpholine/HCl buffer, pH 7.53, demonstrates a specific Ni(II)-binding site on the protein. l-Histidine, the low-molecular-weight Ni(II)-binding constituent of human serum, is shown to have a greater affinity for Ni(II) than does HSA. A small but significant amount of ternary complex HSA-Ni(II)-l-histidine is also present in the equilibrium mixture containing the three components. The log (association constant) values for the binary and ternary Ni(II) complexes are 9.57 and 16.23 respectively. The complex equilibria between Asp-Ala-His-NHMe and Ni(II) have been investigated by analytical potentiometry in aqueous solution (0.15m-NaCl, 25 degrees C). Several species, including MA, MA(2), MH(-2)A, and MH(-1)A(2) [where M and A represent Ni(II) ion and anionic peptide respectively], were detected in the system, MH(-2)A being the major complex species. Equilibrium studies involving Asp-Ala-His-NHMe, Ni(II) and l-histidine reveal the presence of a ternary complex MH(-1)AB (where B represents anionic l-histidine) at physiological pH. Detailed studies of visible-absorption spectra of HSA in the presence of Cu(II) and Ni(II) reveal that the two metal ions bind HSA at the same site. The visible-absorption spectrum of Ni(II)-HSA complex shows a highly absorbing peak at 420nm (epsilon(max.) = 137; with shoulder at 450-480nm) characteristic of a square planar or square pyramidal co-ordination arrangement about the metal ion. Similar visible-absorption characteristics were observed for the major species MH(-2)A in the Asp-Ala-His-NHMe-Ni(II) system (lambda(max.) = 420nm; epsilon(max.) = 135; with shoulder at 450-480nm). The combination of experimental results from the protein studies and the peptide analyses provides strong evidence for the structure of the Ni(II)-binding site of HSA as one that involves the alpha-amino nitrogen atom, two deprotonated peptide nitrogen atoms, the imidazole nitrogen atom and the side-chain carboxy group of the aspartic acid residue. On the basis of the results obtained from the individual ternary systems involving protein and peptide, a mechanism for the transportation of Ni(II) in the serum is proposed.

Reversible zinc exchange between metallothionein and the estrogen receptor zinc finger

We report here the first demonstration that reversible metal exchange occurs between metallothionein (MT) and full-length estrogen receptor (ER). Specific binding of ER to estrogen response element is inhibited in the presence of 40 microM thionein and restored by 120 microM zinc. Moreover, ER in metal-depleted nuclear extracts exhibits reduced DNA binding which can be restored by 140 microM native MT. Hence, thionein inhibits DNA binding by abstracting zinc from functional ER while native MT is capable of restoring binding to metal-depleted extracts by donating metal to ER. This indicates MT may be an important physiological regulator of intracellular zinc and/or other metals.

Copper-induced conformational changes in the N-terminal domain of the Wilson disease copper-transporting ATPase

The Wilson disease copper-transporting ATPase plays a critical role in the intracellular trafficking of copper. Mutations in this protein lead to the accumulation of a toxic level of copper in the liver, kidney, and brain followed by extensive tissue damage and death. The ATPase has a novel amino-terminal domain ( approximately 70 kDa) which contains six repeats of the copper binding motif GMTCXXC. We have expressed and characterized this domain with respect to the copper binding sites and the conformational consequences of copper binding. A detailed analysis of this domain by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has revealed that each binding site ligates copper in the +1 oxidation state using two cysteine side chains with distorted linear geometry. Analysis of copper-induced conformational changes in the amino-terminal domain indicates that both secondary and tertiary structure changes take place upon copper binding. These copper-induced conformational changes could play an important role in the function and regulation of the ATPase in vivo. In addition to providing important insights on copper binding to the protein, these results suggest a possible mechanism of copper trafficking by the Wilson disease ATPase.

Copper-histidine therapy for Menkes disease

Menkes disease is an X-linked genetic disorder of copper transport that results in death from severe progressive neurodegeneration by the age of 3 years. We report here our 17 years' experience with the treatment of Menkes disease with subcutaneous administration of copper-histidine. Two patients (16 and 6 years of age) whose therapy was begun within 1 month of birth have done well neurologically. The other five patients have done poorly despite treatment initiated at 2 to 7 months of age. Copper-histidine therapy may be an effective treatment if started early.

Evidence for albumin--cu(II)--amino acid ternary complex

Commercially obtained pure human serum albumin (HSA) was shown to contain molecular aggregates and was significantly contaminated with Cu(II). A solution of commercial HSA was first passed through a Sephadex G-200 column to obtain pure monomeric HSA. The monomer of HSA was subsequently passed through Chelex-100 resin to free it from Cu(II). All Cu(II)-binding studies were conducted with monomeric and copper-free HSA. The first Cu(II)-binding site on HSA appears to be stronger than the second and the subsequent binding sites. Significant amounts of L-histidine and L-threonine were bound to HSA when Cu(II) was added in the form of Cu(II) – amino acid complexes. In the absence of Cu(II), free L-histidine or L-threonine do not bind to HSA at pH 7.4. It is concluded that, in the presence of either L-histidine or L-threonine, ternary complex formation is involved both at the first and the subsequent binding sites for Cu(II) on HSA. In view of this finding, it appears that the equilibrium between HSA–Cu(II) and Cu(II) – amino acid complex is mediated through a ternary complex HSA – Cu(II) – amino acid.

Analytical characterisation of nanoscale zero-valent iron: A methodological review

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) have been widely tested as they are showing significant promise for environmental remediation. However, many recent studies have demonstrated that their mobility and reactivity in subsurface environments are significantly affected by their tendency to aggregate. Both the mobility and reactivity of nZVI mainly depends on properties such as particle size, surface chemistry and bulk composition. In order to ensure efficient remediation, it is crucial to accurately assess and understand the implications of these properties before deploying these materials into contaminated environments. Many analytical techniques are now available to determine these parameters and this paper provides a critical review of their usefulness and limitations for nZVI characterisation. These analytical techniques include microscopy and light scattering techniques for the determination of particle size, size distribution and aggregation state, and X-ray techniques for the characterisation of surface chemistry and bulk composition. Example characterisation data derived from commercial nZVI materials is used to further illustrate method strengths and limitations. Finally, some important challenges with respect to the characterisation of nZVI in groundwater samples are discussed.

Binding of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) to human and dog serum albumins. An equilibrium dialysis and 113Cd-NMR study

The binding of Cd(II) and Zn(II) to human serum albumin (HSA) and dog serum albumin (DSA) has been studied by equilibrium dialysis and 113Cd(II)-NMR techniques at physiological pH. Scatchard analysis of the equilibrium dialysis data indicate the presence of at least two classes of binding sites for Cd(II) and Zn(II). On analysis of the high-affinity class of sites, HSA is shown to bind 2.08 +/- 0.09 (log K = 5.3 +/- 0.6) and 1.07 +/- 0.12 (log K = 6.4 +/- 0.8) moles of Cd(II) and Zn(II) per mole of protein, respectively. DSA bound 2.02 +/- 0.19 (log K = 5.1 +/- 0.8), and 1.06 +/- 0.15 (log K = 6.0 +/- 0.2) moles of Cd(II) and Zn(II) per mole of protein, respectively. Competition studies indicate the presence of one high-affinity Cd(II) site on both HSA and DSA that is not affected by Zn(II) or Cu(II), and one high-affinity Zn(II) site on both HSA and DSA that is not affected by Cd(II) or Cu(II). 113Cadmium-HSA spectra display three resonances corresponding to three different sites of complexation. In site I, Cd(II) is most probably coordinated to two or three histidyl residues, site II to one histidyl residue and three oxygen ligands (carboxylate), while for the most upfield site III, four oxygens are likely to be involved in the binding of the metal ion. The 113Cd(II)-DSA spectra display only two resonances corresponding to two different sites of complexation. The environment around Cd(II) at sites I and II on DSA is similar to sites I and II, respectively, on HSA. No additional resonances are observed in any of these experiments and in particular in the low field region where sulfur coordination occurs. Overall, our results are consistent with the proposal that the physiologically important high-affinity Zn(II) and Cd(II) binding sites of albumins are located not at the Cu(II)-specific NH2-terminal site, but at internal sites, involving mostly nitrogen and oxygen ligands and no sulphur ligand.

Benign cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in children below 10 years of age--a clinical experience

OBJECTIVE

To report 10 children younger than 10 years of age with benign cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (BCPAN).

METHODS

Ten children aged 1.25-10 years (mean 4.7 years; M:F = 7:3) were admitted with an unusual vasculitis. The clinical features, laboratory investigations, treatment and follow up data were analysed.

RESULTS

Clinical features of these patients included: fever (10), peripheral gangrene (eight), livido reticularis (four), ulceration, nodules and vesiculobullous lesions alone or in combination (10), black necrotic patches over limbs and trunk (three), and arthralgia or swelling of large joints (seven). Cryoglobulinaemia was transient in three children, lasting for eight months in one of them. Histopathology of the skin lesions revealed vasculitis of small and occasionally medium sized blood vessels in nine of the 10 children. Possible association of BCPAN was noted with diphtheria-pertussistetanus immunisation (one), drugs (two), streptococcal infection (two), wasp sting (one), and falciparum malaria (one). The clinical course was interspersed with remissions and exacerbations. Response to corticosteroids alone occurred in seven patients, while three children needed cytotoxic drugs in addition. In a follow up of 5.6 years (mean) no evidence of systemic involvement was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

A rare form of vasculitis, BCPAN, is reported in children. The features that distinguished our patients from those reported earlier were onset in the first decade of life and higher incidence of peripheral gangrene.

The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma

The interaction between Cu(II) and the growth-modulating tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine in the presence and absence of L-histidine was investigated by potentiometric titration and visible-absorption spectrophotometry at 25 degrees C in 0.15 M-NaCl. Analyses of the results in the pH range 3.5--10.6 indicated the presence of multiple species in solution in the binary system and extensive amounts of the ternary complexes in the ternary system. The species distribution and the stability constants, as well as the visible-absorption spectra of the species, were evaluated. The combined results were used to propose the structure of some of the complexes. The influence of the epsilon-amino group of the peptide in the enhancement of the stability constants was reflected prominently when compared with those complexes formed by either glycyl-L-histidine or glycyl-L-histidylglycine. The results obtained from the equilibrium-dialysis experiments showed that this tripeptide was able to compete with albumin for Cu(II) at pH 7.5 and 6 degrees C. At equimolar concentrations of albumin and the peptide, about 42% of the Cu(II) was bound to the peptide. At the physiologically relevant concentrations of Cu(II), albumin, L-histidine and this peptide, about 6% of the Cu(II) was associated with the low-molecular-weight components. This distribution could be due to the binary as well as the ternary complexes. The possible physiological role of these complexes in the transportation of Cu(II) from blood to tissues is discussed.

In vivo and in vitro iron-replaced zinc finger generates free radicals and causes DNA damage

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated transcription factor whose DNA-binding domain (ERDBD) has eight cysteines, which coordinate two zinc atoms, forming two zinc finger-like structures. We demonstrate the capability of iron to replace zinc in zinc finger (hereby referred to as iron finger) both in vivo (using Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)) and in vitro. Iron has the ability to substitute for zinc in the ERDBD as demonstrated by mobility shift and methylation interference assays of iron finger, which show specific recognition of the estrogen response element. The DNA binding constants for both in vivo and in vitro iron-replaced zinc fingers were similar to that of the native finger. Atomic absorption analysis revealed a ratio of 2:1 iron atoms/mol of ERDBD protein, as found for zinc in the crystal structure of native ERDBD. More importantly, we demonstrate that iron finger in the presence of H2O2 and ascorbate generates highly reactive free radicals, causing a reproducible cleavage pattern to the proximate DNA, the estrogen response element. The deoxyribose method, used to detect free radical species generated, and the resultant cleaved DNA ends, caused by iron finger, suggest that the free radicals generated are hydroxyl radicals. Due to the close proximity of the zinc finger to DNA, we postulate that iron-substituted zinc finger may generate free radicals while bound to genetic regulatory response elements, leading to adverse consequences such as iron-induced toxicity and/or carcinogenesis.

Synthesis of the native copper(II)-transport site of human serum albumin and its copper(II)-binding properties

A derivative of the native-sequence tripeptide of the specific Cu(II)-transport site of human serum albumin, L-aspartyl-L-alanyl-L-histidine N-methylamide, was synthesized, and its binding to Cu(II) was examined to determine the influence of the side-chain groups on the Cu(II) binding. The equilibria involved in the Cu(II)-L-aspartyl-L-alanyl-L-histidine N-methylamide system were investigated by analytical potentiometry. Three complex species were found in the pH range 4-10. The same species were identified in both the visible and circular-dichroism spectra. The main species present in the physiological pH range is shown to have the same ligands around the square-planar Cu(II) ion as those reported for albumin and tripeptides diglycyl-L-histidine and its N-methylamide derivative. The results obtained from competition experiments showed that this tripeptide has a higher affinity towards Cu(II) than has albumin itself. The overall findings are compared with those from albumin. At neutral pH the side chains do not play any important role in the Cu(II) binding, but at low pH the beta-carboxyl group of the N-terminal aspartic residue becomes important. A possible competition site on albumin for Cu(II) at low pH is discussed.

Exploring Tagetes erecta Linn flower for the elastase, hyaluronidase and MMP-1 inhibitory activity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditionally Tagetes erecta Linn flower is claimed to treat skin diseases like sores, burns, wounds, ulcers, eczema and several other skin ailments. The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the anti-wrinkle potential of standardized flower extract of Tagetes erecta.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Tagetes erecta extract and fractions were screened for hyaluronidase, elastase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) inhibitory activity compared with the activity of standard oleanolic acid. Syringic acid and β-amyrin were obtained from the extract and quantified through RP-HPLC. Also the compounds were evaluated for anti-wrinkle activity.

RESULTS

The methanol extract showed significant ((a)P < 0.05) hyaluronidase and elastase inhibition with IC50 of 11.70 ± 1.79 μg mL(-1) and 4.13 ± 0.93 μg mL(-1) respectively and better MMP-1 inhibition compared to standard oleanolic acid. The isolated compounds syringic acid and β-amyrin found to inhibit enzymes comparable to oleanolic acid. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed that good amounts of syringic acid and β-amyrin (2.30%, w/w and 0.06%) are present in Tagetes erecta.

CONCLUSION

Tagetes erecta flower showed effective inhibition of hyaluronidase, elastase and MMP-1. Therefore, this experiment further rationalizes the traditional uses of this plant, which may be useful as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Further characterization of the N-terminal copper(II)- and nickel(II)-binding motif of proteins. Studies of metal binding to chicken serum albumin and the native sequence peptide

We have investigated the Cu(II)- and Ni(II)-binding properties of chicken serum albumin (CSA) and of the native sequence tripeptide derived from the N-terminus of this protein. Spectrophotometric and equilibrium dialysis experiments demonstrate that Cu(II) and Ni(II) bind non-specifically at the N-terminus of CSA. Proton displacement studies show that the histidine residue in the fourth position of the protein does not appear to participate in the binding of the two metals. Consistent results were obtained with the native sequence tripeptide L-aspartyl-L-alanyl-L-glutamic acid N-methylamide. The results presented here demonstrate that neither the glutamic acid residue in the third position nor the histidine in the fourth position participate in the binding of Cu(II) and Ni(II) to CSA. It is known, however, that a number of other albumins with a histidine residue in the third position possess high-affinity Cu(II)- and Ni(II)-binding sites. Our results provide further evidence that the N-terminal Cu(II)/Ni(II)-binding motif requires a histidine at the third position in order to bind Cu(II) and Ni(II) specifically.

Peptide and carbohydrate complexes of nickel in human kidney

The predominant renal and urinary forms of nickel consist of low-Mr complexes. Similarities in the nature of these complexes have been found in kidneys of rats exposed parenterally to NiCl2 and in rat kidneys treated with NiCl2 in vitro. Similar complexes have also been identified after treatment of bovine and human renal soluble fractions with NiCl2. The bulk of nickel in all cases is associated with sulphated oligosaccharide fractions containing uronic acids and neutral sugars. This binding is non-specific, and nickel is readily displaced from these fractions by copper. Smaller amounts of nickel are bound to an acidic peptide, which was purified from human kidneys and partially characterized. Nickel was not displaced from this material by copper at physiological pH. These nickel complexes have not been found in plasma, suggesting that ligand exchange occurs during or after glomerular filtration of the metal.

State of iron(3) in normal human serum: low molecular weight and protein ligands besides transferrin

A fraction of Fe(III) in normal human serum is bound to both low molecular weight as well as protein ligands besides transferrin. Citrate was shown to be the major Fe(III)-binding substance in the low molecular weight fraction. Amino acids, sugars, and organic acids, such as ascorbate, pyruvate, and lactate, showed very little or no binding to Fe(III) in normal serum. Iron(III)-binding proteins other than transferrin were shown to be present in normal serum when the native serum with [59Fe(III)] was fractionated by (NH4)2SO4 and Sephadex G-150. The presence of these proteins was observed when trace amounts of Fe(III) were added to the normal serum and when the iron-binding capacity was saturated with Fe(III) to 50% and 100%. These proteins were eluted in the void volume of Sephadex G-150 and none of them corresponded electrophoretically to transferrin. The results of the gel filtration of a mixture of [131I]-transferrin and the proteins eluted in the void volume of Sephadex G-150 were strongly in favor of the Fe(III)-proteins as being neither transferrin aggregates nor transferrin adducts with other proteins. Immunoelectrophoresis of the Sephadex G-150 void volume proteins on agar gel against the antibody to transferrin revealed the absence of transferrin. The presence of at least six proteins in this fraction was shown by immunoelectrophoresis. Positive precipitin reactions were obtained with the antibodies to α2-macroglobulin, γG-globulin, γA-globulin, and γM-globulin. At least two more proteins in this fraction remained unidentified. When the same fraction containing [59Fe(III)] was treated with the whole antisera and the precipitates were counted for radioactivity, a typical antigen-antibody reaction curve was obtained as the antibody concentration was increased. Similar experiments with this fraction and antibodies to α2-macroglobulin, γG-globulin, γA-globulin, and γM-globulin failed to show any significant radioactivity in the precipitate. Since this fraction did not contain any transferrin, it was concluded that there are proteins besides transferrin which can act as ligands for Fe(III) in normal blood plasma.

Direct evidence of nitrogen coupling in the copper(II) complex of bovine serum albumin by S-band electron spin resonance technique

ESR spectra of the tight binding Cu(II) complex of bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied using S-band. At physiological pH, only one form of copper binding to BSA was detected from the ESR spectra. From previous X-band ESR spectra, nitrogen superhyperfine splittings were observable in the g perpendicular region; however, the resolution of the g parallel region was not sufficient to confirm the exact donor atoms of the complex. Using low-frequency ESR (2-4 GHz) at 77 K, we have resolved the nitrogen superhyperfine structure in the g parallel region. A computer simulation method has been developed for distinguishing between three and four nitrogen donor atoms. The Hyde-Froncisz theory of g and A strain broadening has been modified to use a field-swept calculation for the line shape. The observed intensity pattern and the computer simulation of such spectra positively confirm the structure of Cu(II) ion coordinated to four in-plane nitrogen atoms in frozen aqueous solutions of Cu(II)-BSA complexes at physiological pH. This is the first time that this binding site has been confirmed on the protein instead of a protein fragment or model compound. This work is another example of the usefulness of the S-band ESR technique for characterizing the metal-protein interactions when random variation in g factors cause line broadening in conventional X-band ESR spectra.

Bioconversion of fish solid waste into PHB using Bacillus subtilis based submerged fermentation process

Currently, one of the major problem affecting the world is solid waste management, predominantly petroleum-based plastic and fish solid waste (FSW). However, it is very difficult to reduce the consumption of plastic as well as fish products, but it is promising to convert FSW to biopolymer to reduce eco-pollution. On account of that, the bioconversion of FSW extract to polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was undertaken by using Bacillus subtilis (KP172548). Under optimized conditions, 1.62 g/L of PHB has been produced by the bacterium. The purified compound was further characterized by advanced analytical technologies to elucidate its chemical structure. Results indicated that the biopolymer was found to be PHB, the most common homopolymer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). This is the first report demonstrating the efficacy of B. subtilis to utilize FSW extract to produce biopolymer. The biocompatibility of the PHB against murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 demonstrated that, it was comparatively less toxic, favourable for surface attachment and proliferation in comparison with poly-lactic acid (PLA) and commercially available PHB. Thus, further exploration is highly indispensable to use FSW extract as a substrate for production of PHB at pilot scale.