Saliva and dental pellicle--a review

The acquired enamel pellicle is an organic film covering the surfaces of teeth. When this film was first discovered, it was thought to be of embryologic origin. Only in the middle of this century did it become clear that it was acquired after tooth eruption. Initially, the small amounts of material that could be obtained have virtually limited the investigation of pellicle proteins to amino acid analysis. Nevertheless, this technique revealed that the pellicle is mainly proteinaceous and is formed by selective adsorption of salivary proteins on tooth enamel. Later, immunologic techniques allowed for the identification of many salivary and fewer non-salivary proteins as constituents of pellicle. However, to this date, isolation and direct biochemical characterization of in vivo pellicle protein have not been possible, because only a few micrograms can be obtained from a single donor. Therefore, the composition and structure of the acquired enamel pellicle are still essentially unknown. Information on the functions of pellicle has been obtained mainly from in vitro experiments carried out with saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and enamel discs. It was found that pellicle protects enamel by reducing demineralization upon acid challenge. Improved pellicle harvesting procedures and analysis by state-of-the-art proteomics with mass spectroscopy approaches promise to make major inroads into the characterization of enamel pellicle.

Activation of CYP3A4: evidence for the simultaneous binding of two substrates in a cytochrome P450 active site

A unique characteristic of the CYP3A subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes is their ability to be activated by certain compounds. It is reported that CYP3A4-catalyzed phenanthrene metabolism is activated by 7,8-benzoflavone and that 7,8-benzoflavone serves as a substrate for CYP3A4. Kinetic analyses of these two substrates show that 7,8-benzoflavone increases the Vmax of phenanthrene metabolism without changing the Km and that phenanthrene decreases the Vmax of 7,8-benzoflavone metabolism without increasing the Km. These results suggest that both substrates (or substrate and activator) are simultaneously present in the active site. Both compounds must have access to the active oxygen, since neither phenanthrene nor 7,8-benzoflavone can competitively inhibit the other substrate. These data provide the first evidence that two different molecules can be simultaneously bound to the same P450 active site. Additionally, structure-activity relationship studies were performed with derivatives of 7,8-benzoflavone structure. The effects of 13 different compounds on the regioselectivity of phenanthrene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolism were determined. Of the 13 compounds studied, 6 were activators, 2 were partial activators, and 5 were inhibitors. Analyses of the data suggest that (1) naphthalene substituted with a ketone in the 2-position can activate 3A4 and (2) the presence of an activator results in a narrower effective substrate binding site. Since the CYP3A enzymes are very important in drug metabolism, the possibility of activation, and autoactivation, must be considered when in vitro-in vivo correlations are made and when possible drug interactions are considered.

Compositional analysis of human acquired enamel pellicle by mass spectrometry

Relatively little is known about the formation of the acquired enamel pellicle other than that it involves the selective adsorption of specific proteins from oral fluids. Previous studies on the identification of pellicle components have relied largely on immunological or enzymatic detection and have been hampered by the fact that only minute quantities of pellicle can be removed from tooth surfaces. The present work describes an improved method of harvesting pellicle that combines mechanical and chemical removal; this approach was used to investigate systematically the desorption of in vitro pellicle components with different solutions. Eleven major in vitro pellicle proteins were identified by using a combination of electrophoretic separation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A similar analysis of in vivo-formed pellicle revealed the presence of intact statherin, lysozyme, albumin and amylase. Further analysis of in vivo pellicle by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry suggested the presence of numerous low molecular-weight fragments of precursor proteins. The protein composition of in vitro whole-salivary pellicle adsorbed to hydroxyapatite and that of in vivo enamel pellicle differed for proline, the result of a reduction in the content of acidic proline-rich proteins in the in vivo samples. Unique features of the oral environment such as enzymatic activities or mineral surface properties may account for these differences between in vivo and in vitro pellicle formation.

Is salivary histatin 5 a metallopeptide?

Histatins are small histidine-rich salivary polypeptides which exhibit antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans. This antimicrobial activity has been ascribed in part to a high content of basic amino acids. However, unlike most other antimicrobial proteins histatins have a high content of histidine, tyrosine and acidic amino acids known to participate in metal ion coordination. This study was conducted to test whether histatin 5 could bind zinc and copper which are metals present in salivary secretions and whole saliva. Physical binding parameters and spectral properties of zinc- and copper-histatin complexes were investigated in order to obtain direct evidence of these interactions. A spectrophotometric competition assay using the metallochromic indicator murexide showed that histatin 5 dissociates metal indicator complexes containing zinc or copper ions. Absorption spectra of histatin 5 at increasing copper chloride concentrations resulted in higher absorbance in the 230-280 nm wavelength range and this spectral change was saturated at a peptide:metal molar ratio of approx. 1:1. A corresponding band was observed in the visible range of the spectrum with a maximum and molar extinction coefficient corresponding to that of copper binding to an ATCUN motif. Quantitative assessment of zinc and copper binding to histatin 5 using isothermal titration calorimetry revealed at least one high affinity site for each metal, with binding constants of 1.2x10(5) and 2.6x10(7) M(-1), respectively. These results indicate that histatin 5 exhibits metallopeptide-like properties. The precise biological significance of this has not yet been established but histatins may contribute significantly to salivary metal binding capacity.

Zinc and copper bind to unique sites of histatin 5

Metal binding has been suggested to be relevant in the antifungal and antibacterial mechanism of histatin 5, a human salivary protein. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained to investigate the specificity of metal binding to the seven histidyl, one aspartyl and one glutamyl amino acid side-chains of histatin 5 in aqueous solutions. Three C(epsilon1)-H histidyl and the C(gamma)-H glutamyl resonances of histatin 5 were selectively altered in spectra of solutions containing three equivalents of zinc. Copper binding to histatin 5 resulted in a reduced intensity of C(beta)-H aspartyl resonances, while no evidence for calcium binding was found. These results indicate that zinc binding to histatin 5 involves His-15 present within the -H-E-X-X-H- zinc binding motif, and copper binding occurs within the N-terminal D-S-H-, ATCUN motif.

Effect of FAK inhibitor VS-6063 (defactinib) on docetaxel efficacy in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel, the standard chemotherapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) also enhances the survival of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) when combined with androgen-deprivation therapy. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) activation is a mediator of docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the second generation FAK inhibitor VS-6063 on docetaxel efficacy in pre-clinical CRPC and CSPC models.

METHODS

Docetaxel-resistant CRPC cells, mice with PC3 xenografts, and ex vivo cultures of patient-derived primary prostate tumors were treated with VS-6063 and/or docetaxel, or vehicle control. Cell counting, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to evaluate the treatment effects.

RESULTS

Docetaxel and VS-6063 co-treatment caused a greater decrease in the viability of docetaxel-resistant CRPC cells, and a greater inhibition in PC3 xenograft growth compared to either monotherapy. FAK expression in human primary prostate cancer was positively associated with advanced tumor stage. Patient-derived prostate tumor explants cultured with both docetaxel and VS-6063 displayed a higher percentage of apoptosis in cancer cells, than monotherapy treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that co-administration of the FAK inhibitor, VS-6063, with docetaxel represents a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer.

Specificity of cDNA-expressed human and rodent cytochrome P450s in the oxidative metabolism of the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), a potent carcinogen, requires metabolic activation by cytochrome P450s (P450s) to electrophilic metabolites that result in DNA modification, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity. In this study, we used eight human forms, four rodent forms, and one rabbit form of P450 expressed from recombinant vaccinia or baculovirus vectors to define their specificity for metabolizing DMBA. Of the eight human P450s, 1A1 was the most active (specific activity = 14.7 nmol/min/nmol of P450) in total metabolism of DMBA and showed approximately 6- to 33-fold more activity than other P450s, 2B6, 2C9, and 1A2 were also capable of metabolizing DMBA (2.0-2.5 nmol/min/nmol of P450), whereas 2C8, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5 exhibited relatively low activities. Among animal P450s, mouse 1A1 exhibited activity similar to that of human 1A1 and had 5.0- to 37-fold more activity than other rodent and rabbit P450s. In regard to enzyme regioselectivity, most human and rodent P450s predominantly formed the 8,9-diol, but human 2B6 and rat 2B1 preferentially formed the 5,6-diol. In the production of monohydroxymethyl metabolites, all the enzymes yielded more 7-hydroxymethyl-12-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7HOM12MBA) than 12-hydroxymethyl-7-methylbenz[a]anthracene (7M12HOMBA), except for human 1A1, which presented the reverse selectivity. Human liver microsomes from 10 organ donors were shown to metabolize DMBA and in most circumstances generated the metabolic profile DMBA trans-8,9-dihydrodiol > 7HOM12MBA > or = DMBA trans-5,6-dihydrodiol > or = 7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz[a]anthracene > 7M12HOMBA > DMBA trans-3,4-dihydrodiol. Thus, the combined activity of hepatic microsomal 2C9, 1A2, and 2B6 may contribute to the metabolic activation and the metabolism of DMBA in normal human liver.

Modeling cyanide release from nitriles: prediction of cytochrome P450 mediated acute nitrile toxicity

A mechanism-based model for prediction of acute nitrile toxicity was developed using octanol-water partition coefficients (log P) and estimated rates of alpha-hydrogen atom abstraction as variables. Relative rates of hydrogen atom abstraction were derived from differences in heats of formation for ground-state and radical geometries and radical ionization potentials. Calculated energies of activation for all potential sites of oxidation for a given nitrile were used to estimate partitioning of metabolites among multiple oxidative pathways. logP and the resulting corrected rate constants for alpha-carbon oxidation were effective variables in an acute toxicity model of structurally diverse nitriles. The pharmacokinetics of substrate disposition is discussed in the context of multiple metabolic pathways. Structure-toxicity relationships are also discussed.

Physical parameters of hydroxyapatite adsorption and effect on candidacidal activity of histatins

Histatins 1, 3 and 5 are the major members of a histidine-rich protein family present in human salivary secretions. These proteins are distinct from many salivary proteins in their high positive charge density at neutral pH, and their antibacterial and antifungal properties. In this study, the hydroxyapatite adsorption characteristics of histatin 1, containing a single phosphoserine residue, recombinantly expressed histatin 1, native histatin 3, synthetic histatin 5 and an internal 12-residue sequence of histatin 5 were investigated. A Langmuir-type model was used to analyse the adsorption. A comparison of the affinities and binding sites of phosphorylated and recombinant histatin 1 provided an estimate of the positive influence of the single phosphoseryl group on mineral adsorption. Furthermore, an apparent correlation was shown to exist between peptide chain length and the number of binding sites. The influence of histatin 5 adsorption on its anticandidal activity was also investigated by performing Candida albicans killing assays with histatin 5 and histatin 5/hydroxyapatite suspensions. A decrease in killing activity was observed with the increase of hydroxyapatite present. The results suggest that the anticandidal properties of histatin 5 could be impaired by the conformations resulting from mineral adsorption, or that putative cellular receptors necessary for candidacidal activity are inaccessible when histatin 5 is adsorbed on hydroxyapatite.

New Races of Phytophthora sojae with Rps1-d Virulence

Hypocotyl inoculations of differential soybean (Glycine max) cultivars were used to identify seven new physiologic races of Phytophthora sojae (syn. P. megasperma f. sp. glycinea). Five of the new races were virulent on soybeans with the Rps1-d allele, while four of the new races were virulent on soybeans with the Rps1-k allele. The Rps1-k and Rps1-d alleles provide resistance to a majority of the previously described races that cause Phytophthora root and stem rot. The seven new races were assigned race numbers 33, 34, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 since race numbers 35 through 40 were assigned to other new races recently identified in Ohio, California, Arkansas, and Iowa. The new races identified in this study constituted 14% of the 1993 isolates evaluated from 27 counties in central and northern Indiana. Races 1 and 3 were the most prevalent, representing 31 and 26% of the P. sojae isolates identified in 1993. Races 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 28, and 29 each constituted 2 to 6% of the 1993 isolates. Other races identified among the 1993 isolates included races 19, 21, 25, and 30.

Multi-component adsorption model for pellicle formation: The influence of salivary proteins and non-salivary phospho proteins on the binding of histatin 5 onto hydroxyapatite

The acquired enamel pellicle formed by selective adsorption of proteins in whole saliva is a protective integument on the tooth surface. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the formation of human acquired enamel pellicle using an in vitro hydroxyapatite (HA) model and 3H-histatin 5 to allow accurate measurement of histatin 5 binding in a multi-component experimental system. A binary system was employed by mixing 3H-histatin 5 with one unlabeled protein prior to incubation with HA or by first incubating 3H-histatin 5 with the HA which had been pre-coated with one of a panel of unlabeled proteins (human albumin, salivary amylase, lysozyme, acidic PIFs, statherin, the N-terminal fragment of statherin, and egg yolk phosvitin). A ternary system was employed by mixing 3H-histatin 5 with HA sequentially pre-coated with two different unlabeled proteins, including recombinant histatin 1. The results showed that only salivary statherin and egg yolk phosvitin promote histatin 5 adsorption significantly. The amount of histatin 5 adsorbed was also found to increase as a function of the amount of phosvitin and statherin used to pre-coat HA up to a maximum level that was two- to four-fold greater than that observed on untreated HA. These data suggest that specific protein-protein interactions may play important roles in pellicle formation in vivo.

Mutational load of the mitochondrial genome predicts pathological features and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer management is complicated by extreme disease heterogeneity, which is further limited by availability of prognostic biomarkers. Recognition of prostate cancer as a genetic disease has prompted a focus on the nuclear genome for biomarker discovery, with little attention given to the mitochondrial genome. While it is evident that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are acquired during prostate tumorigenesis, no study has evaluated the prognostic value of mtDNA variation. Here we used next-generation sequencing to interrogate the mitochondrial genomes from prostate tissue biopsies and matched blood of 115 men having undergone a radical prostatectomy for which there was a mean of 107 months clinical follow-up. We identified 74 unique prostate cancer specific somatic mtDNA variants in 50 patients, providing significant expansion to the growing catalog of prostate cancer mtDNA mutations. While no single variant or variant cluster showed recurrence across multiple patients, we observe a significant positive correlation between the total burden of acquired mtDNA variation and elevated Gleason Score at diagnosis and biochemical relapse. We add to accumulating evidence that total acquired genomic burden, rather than specific mtDNA mutations, has diagnostic value. This is the first study to demonstrate the prognostic potential of mtDNA mutational burden in prostate cancer.

Pertussis outbreak in northwest Ireland, January – June 2010

We report a community pertussis outbreak that occurred in a small town located in the northwest of Ireland. Epidemiological investigations suggest that waning immunity and the absence of a booster dose during the second year of life could have contributed to the outbreak. The report also highlights the need to reinforce the surveillance of pertussis in Ireland and especially to improve the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of cases.

Salivary histatin 5 is a potent competitive inhibitor of the cysteine proteinase clostripain

Histatin 5 is a low molecular weight salivary protein which is known to exhibit inhibitory activity against several proteinases, including the cysteine proteinases gingipains. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of salivary histatin on the proteolytic activity of the cysteine proteinase clostripain derived from the pathogen Clostridium histolyticum. Using a synthetic nitroanilide substrate, we studied in detail the inhibition of clostripain by histatin 5 and compared the effect of this peptide to that of leupeptin, a known competitive inhibitor of clostripain. It was found that the concentration of histatin 5 required to inhibit 50% of clostripain activity was 23.6+/-1.6 nM. Kinetic analysis revealed that histatin 5 is a competitive inhibitor of clostripain with an inhibition constant (K(i)) of 10 nM. The K(i) for the inhibition of clostripain activity against nitroanilide substrate by leupeptin was found to be 60 nM, significantly higher than that of histatin 5. Thus, histatin 5 inhibits clostripain more effectively than leupeptin and other cysteine protease inhibitors studied here. No significant proteolysis of histatin 5 was observed when histatin 5 was incubated at physiologic concentrations with clostripain. The potent inhibition of clostripain by histatin 5 points towards the possibility that this protein may prevent establishment of clostridial infections and therefore may have significant potential for the treatment of diseases associated with this enzyme.

Inhibitory and noninhibitory monoclonal antibodies to human cytochrome P450 2E1

A panel of 17 hybridomas producing (MAbs) against human cytochrome P450 2E1 (h2E1) was generated by immunizing mice with baculovirus-expressed h2E1. All 17 hybridoma clones gave positive ELISA or immunoblots with either baculovirus-or vaccinia virus-expressed h2E1. Two of the latter were further developed due to their desirable characteristics. MAb 1-73-18 was found to be a powerful inhibitor of P450 h2E1; however, it did not yield a positive immunoblot. MAb 2-106-12 was found to be noninhibitory but formed a strong positive immunoblot with P450 h2E1. These MAbs to h2E1 were highly specific and did not recognize six other human P450s as tested with ELISA or immunoblot analyses. The MAbs to baculovirus-expressed h2E1 also reacted with h2E1 expressed from a vaccinia virus vector system as well as with microsomal fractions of human and acetone-treated rat liver. MAb 1-73-18 inhibited h2E1 enzyme activity catalyzing the metabolism of phenanthrene by 85%, p-nitroanisole by 90%, 4-methylanisole by 60-80%, toluene by 90%, and chlorzoxazone by 90%. The inhibitory MAb 1-73-18 is uniquely useful for determining the contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of h2E1 substrates in human liver containing multiple P450s. The quantitatively determined contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of the above substrates ranged from 25% to 75%. Thus, h2E1 was responsible for the following percentages of the total metabolism in human liver: p-nitroanisole (35%), phenanthrene (23%), methylanisole to cresol (25%), methylanisole to methoxybenzyl alcohol (12%), toluene (40%), and chlorzoxazone (72%). The MAb 2-106-12 forming a strong immunoblot is useful for determining the amount of h2E1 protein in a tissue. Thus the utility of the inhibitory and immunoblot positive MAbs is complementary and can determine both the contribution of h2E1 to the metabolism of specific substrates and the amount of h2E1 protein in human tissue. The analyses of metabolism with the inhibitory MAb 1-73-18 can be generalized and applicable to all h2E1 substrates.

Altered mitochondrial genome content signals worse pathology and prognosis in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) content is depleted in many cancers. In prostate cancer, there is intra-glandular as well as inter-patient mtDNA copy number variation. In this study, we determine if mtDNA content can be used as a predictor for prostate cancer staging and outcomes.

METHODS

Fresh prostate cancer biopsies from 115 patients were obtained at time of surgery. All cores underwent pathological review, followed by isolation of cancer and normal tissue. DNA was extracted and qPCR performed to quantify the total amount of mtDNA as a ratio to genomic DNA. Differences in mtDNA content were compared for prostate cancer pathology features and disease outcomes.

RESULTS

We showed a significantly reduced mtDNA content in prostate cancer compared with normal adjacent prostate tissue (mean difference 1.73-fold, P-value <0.001). Prostate cancer with increased mtDNA content showed unfavorable pathologic characteristics including, higher disease stage (PT2 vs PT3 P-value = 0.018), extracapsular extension (P-value = 0.02) and a trend toward an increased Gleason score (P-value = 0.064). No significant association was observed between changes in mtDNA content and biochemical recurrence (median follow up of 107 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to other cancer types, prostate cancer tissue shows no universally depleted mtDNA content. Rather, the change in mtDNA content is highly variable, mirroring known prostate cancer genome heterogeneity. Patients with high mtDNA content have an unfavorable pathology, while a high mtDNA content in normal adjacent prostate tissue is associated with worse prognosis.

Use of aromatase (CYP19) metabolite ratios to characterize electron transfer from NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase

Aromatase catalyzes the conversion of 4-androstene-3,17-dione to estrogen with the concomitant formation of the minor metabolites 4-androstene-19-hydroxy-3,17-dione(19-hydroxyandrostenedione) and 4-androstene-3,17,19-trione(19-oxoandrostenedione). Microsomes of chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human aromatase were isolated to investigate androstenedione metabolism. Relatively greater amounts of the minor metabolites result after limitation of electron flux from NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase to aromatase. Substitution of NADH for NADPH or limitation of NADPH availability increased minor metabolite formation relative to estrogen formation. Similar changes in metabolite ratios were observed when metabolism was conducted either at high pH (8.3) or in the presence of n-alcohols in the range of 5-200 mM alcohol concentrations. However, conditions of low pH (5.5) or high ionic strength (1 M KCl) resulted in minor changes in metabolite ratios, suggesting little or no effect on electron flux between NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and aromatase. Theoretical molar ratios of the resulting metabolites were predicted using a reaction scheme assuming sequential substrate oxidations without reversible intermediate release from the aromatase active site. This model was supported by a close agreement between theoretical and experimental metabolite ratios for a broad range of NADPH concentrations. The results indicate that metabolite ratios provide a sensitive indicator of aromatase-oxidoreductase interactions in the microsomal environment.

Recognition of Schistosoma mansoni cathepsins B and L by human IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies

Human schistosome infections are chronic in nature and elevated IgG4 levels are associated with length of exposure. To examine how structure, localization and dynamics of exposure of a protein to the immune system can affect antibody isotype expression, specific antibody levels against two Schistosoma mansoni recombinant cathepsin molecules were determined in S. mansoni-infected individuals. Cathepsin B (rCatB, secreted in the gut) and cathepsin L (rCatL, localized in the reproductive structures) were used to determine IgG1 reactivity, as a measure of the stimulation of the immune response, and the switch to IgG4 as an indicator of the dynamics and rate of presentation to the immune system. Sera from three groups of S. mansoni-infected patients were used: individuals with life-long exposure in an endemic area in Burundi, a group from a recent endemic focus in Senegal, and of acutely infected European travellers. We report for the first time the ability of rCatL to trigger an immune response and show distinct antibody isotype reactivity between rCatB versus rCatL. Patients harbouring long-term chronic infections had elevated levels of IgG4 to both antigen, whereas individuals infected for less than four years had high IgG4 to rCatB but not to rCatL. Acutely infected travellers developed IgG1 to rCatB only. Our results demonstrate that an immune response is mounted more rapidly against a cathepsin molecule secreted in the gut of the worm than against an internally localized cathepsin.

Cytochrome P450 2A1, 2E1, and 2C9 cDNA-expression by insect cells and partial purification using hydrophobic chromatography

High-level expression of three cloned cytochrome P450 enzymes was accomplished using the baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The amount of enzyme expression was enhanced by cell infections in the presence of medium-supplements containing hemin and by growth in suspension cultures. Human cytochromes P450 2E1 and 2C9 and rat cytochrome P450 2A1 were partially purified from cell extracts using hydrophobic interaction and hydroxyapatite chromatography. The resulting enzymes were of estimated molecular masses similar to those reported previously and analyzed by PAGE. Reconstitution of enzyme activity resulted when the enzymes were incubated together with NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, phospholipid, NADPH, and appropriate substrates. The cytochrome P450 activity of the partially purified enzymes was comparable to that of the corresponding enzymes expressed in the vaccinia virus-Hep G2 system. These results provide evidence for a general means of obtaining cytochrome P450 enzymes for mechanistic, immunochemical, and biophysical investigations.

Iron binding by phosvitins: variable mechanism of iron release by phosvitins of diverse species characterized by different degrees of phosphorylation

The rate of reductive iron release from Fe(III) complexes of phosvitins of diverse fish species, at varied initial degrees of saturation with iron, was studied with particular attention to the effect of the degree of phosvitin phosphorylation on the kinetics of iron release. The reaction was followed colorimetrically as phosphorprotein-bound iron was transferred to an excess of o-phenanthroline, in the presence of hydroquinone as a reducing agent. The principal finding was the variability of the kinetic order or iron release by phosvitins, depending on their degree of saturation with iron and the extent to which their serine residues were phosphorylated. Highly phosphorylated proteins, especially at high initial degrees of iron saturation, obey first-order kinetics. Partially phosphorylated proteins, especially at low initial degrees of iron saturation, release their iron in a zero-order fashion. First-order rates imply that the iron binding sites are kinetically independent of each other. Zero-order behavior appears to reflect iron release from hypothetical iron-binding clusters serving as kinetically effective reactive centers of unchanging concentration for most of the time course of the reaction. Variations of the initial degree of iron saturation of given phosvitins produced variations in their kinetic behavior. The results are considered in terms of a dynamic model of phosvitin iron binding sites which may constitute themselves diversely, in response to the amount of iron that is to be accommodated, or may reconstitute themselves as their molecular environment becomes altered.

Iron binding by phosvitin: variation of rate of iron release as a function of the degree of saturation of iron binding sites

The rate of iron release from Fe(III)-phosvitin complexes, at varied degrees of saturation, was studied. Iron release was induced by reduction in the presence of the ferrous ion chelator, o-phenanthroline. If iron release was induced photochemically (without a chemical reductant), the reactions proceeded in zero order fashion, independently of the degree of saturation but with a strong dependence on the concentration of phenanthroline. When hydroquinone was added and the reactions were conducted in the dark, iron release followed first-order kinetics and the rate constants showed a clear dependence on the degree of saturation of the protein, which was most marked at lower levels of saturation. The results imply control of iron release by binding site differences produced by different intramolecular environments as the protein provides different combinations of its phosphoserine groups as ligands depending on the number of iron atoms to be accommodated per protein molecule.

An analysis of a multiple biomarker panel to better predict prostate cancer metastasis after radical prostatectomy

A plethora of individual candidate biomarkers for predicting biochemical relapse in localized prostate cancer (PCa) have been proposed. Combined biomarkers may improve prognostication, and ensuring validation against more clinically relevant endpoints are required. The Australian PCa Research Centre NSW has contributed to numerous studies of molecular biomarkers associated with biochemical relapse. In the current study, these biomarkers were re-analyzed for biochemical relapse, metastatic relapse and PCa death with extended follow-up. Biomarkers of significance were then used to develop a combined prognostic model for clinical outcomes and validated in a large independent cohort. The discovery cohort (n = 324) was based on 12 biomarkers with a median follow-up of 16 years. Seven biomarkers were significantly associated with biochemical relapse. Three biomarkers were associated with metastases: AZGP1, Ki67 and PML. Only AZGP1 was associated with PCa death. In their individual and combinational forms, AZGP1 and Ki67 as a dual BM signature was the most robust predictor of metastatic relapse (AUC 0.762). The AZPG1 and Ki67 signature was validated in an independent cohort of 347 PCa patients. The dual BM signature of AZGP1 and Ki67 predicted metastasis in the univariable (HR 7.2, 95% CI, 1.6-32; p = 0.01) and multivariable analysis (HR 5.4, 95% CI, 1.2-25; p = 0.03). The dual biomarker signature marginally improved risk prediction compared to AZGP1 alone (AUC 0.758 versus 0.738, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that biochemical relapse is not an adequate surrogate for metastasis or PCa death. The dual biomarker signature of AZGP1 and Ki67 offers a small benefit in predicting metastasis over AZGP1 alone.