UV resonance Raman-selective amide vibrational enhancement: quantitative methodology for determining protein secondary structure

We have directly determined the amide band resonance Raman spectra of the "average" pure alpha-helix, beta-sheet, and unordered secondary structures by exciting within the amide pi-->pi* transitions at 206.5 nm. The Raman spectra are dominated by the amide bands of the peptide backbone. We have empirically determined the average pure alpha-helix, beta-sheet, and unordered resonance Raman spectra from the amide resonance Raman spectra of 13 proteins with well-known X-ray crystal structures. We demonstrate that we can simultaneously utilize the amide I, II, and III bands and the Calpha-H amide bending vibrations of these average secondary structure spectra to directly determine protein secondary structure. The UV Raman method appears to be complementary, and in some cases superior, to the existing methods, such as CD, VCD, and absorption spectroscopy. In addition, the spectra are immune to the light-scattering artifacts that plague CD, VCD, and IR absorption measurements. Thus, it will be possible to examine proteins in micelles and other scattering media.

Temporal precision and temporal drift in brain and behavior of zebra finch song

In the zebra finch forebrain nucleus robustus archistriatalis (RA), neurons burst during singing. We showed that the internal structure of spike bursts was regulated with a precision of circa 0.2 ms, and yielded alignment of acoustic features of song with a precision of circa 1 ms. In addition, interburst intervals and corresponding syllable durations displayed systematic variation within song (average elongation 0.3 ms/s song), and slower "drift" across songs. Systematic variation on even a coarser time scale might be difficult to detect in other systems, but could affect the analysis of temporal patterning. The close relationship between precise timing of individual spikes and stereotypic behavior suggests that song is represented in RA by a temporal code.

Optimization of medium and cultivation conditions for alkaline protease production by the marine yeast Aureobasidium pullulans

A yeast strain, Aureobasidium pullulans, which could produce the high yield of protease was isolated from sediment of saltern in Qingdao, China. Maximum production of enzyme (623.1 U/mg protein; 7.2 U/ml) was obtained in a medium containing 2.5 g soluble starch and 2.0 g NaNO(3), 100ml seawater, initial pH 6.0, after fermentation at 24.5 degrees C for 30 h. The protease had the highest activity at pH 9.0 and 45 degrees C.

UV resonance Raman determination of protein acid denaturation: selective unfolding of helical segments of horse myoglobin

We have used UV resonance Raman spectroscopy to study the acid denaturation of horse heart aquometmyoglobin (Mb) between pH 7.5 and 1.5. Raman spectra excited at 206.5 nm are dominated by amide vibrations, which are analyzed by using a new methodology to quantitatively determine the Mb secondary structure. In contrast, the 229-nm Raman spectra are dominated by the Tyr and Trp Raman bands, which are analyzed to examine changes in Tyr and Trp environments, such as exposure to water, hydrogen bonding, and, for Trp, any alterations of the dihedral angle between the Trp ring and its linkage to the protein backbone. We uniquely determined which Mb alpha-helices melt by combining the amide, Tyr, and Trp Raman spectral information with heme absorption spectral information. We calculate that the Mb alpha-helical composition decreases from approximately 80% at neutral pH to approximately 19% below pH 3.5. The Trp Raman cross sections dramatically decrease at low pH to values which indicate that they are fully exposed to water; this result indicates that the A helix melts. The Tyr Raman bands are pH independent, which indicates that the G and H helices around the Tyr residues do not melt. The dramatic heme absorption acid denaturation changes indicate major alterations of the heme pocket and changes in heme binding. These results indicate that the A, B, C, D, E, and F helices melt in a concerted fashion, while the antiparallel G and H helices only partially melt.

Trehalose accumulation from soluble starch by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera sdu

Trehalose accumulation from starch by Saccharomycopsis fibuligera sdu was examined in 300-ml shaken flask culture and Biostat B(2) 2-1 fermentation. In the 300-ml flask, 16.5% (w/w) trehalose accumulated in the yeast cells (cell dry weight) was observed with 100-ml medium shaken at 200 rpm for 50 h at 30 degrees C. We found that 1.0% soluble starch in the medium was most suitable for trehalose accumulation by this yeast strain. In the Biostat B(2) 2-1 fermentor, 18.0% (w/w) trehalose accumulated in the yeast cells (cell dry weight) was observed within 48 h of fermentation when agitation speed was 200 rpm. The trehalose obtained from the yeast cells was identical to standard trehalose from Sigma based on the analysis results of High-Performance Exchange Anionic Chromatography (HPEAC).

Relationship between lipid composition, frequency of ethanol-induced respiratory deficient mutants, and ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The frequency of ethanol-induced respiratory deficient mutants and lipid composition in two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains showing different degrees of ethanol tolerance were investigated. The more ethanol-tolerant strain exhibited a lower frequency of ethanol-induced respiratory deficient mutants than the less ethanol-tolerant strain. In addition, the more ethanol-tolerant strain contained a higher ergosterol/phospholipid ratio, a higher proportion of phosphatidylcholine, a lower proportion of phosphatidylethanolamine, a higher incorporation of long-chain fatty acids in total phospholipids, and a slightly higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in total phospholipids than the less ethanol-tolerant strain. These results show a clear relationship between the lipid composition, the frequency of ethanol-induced respiratory deficient mutants, and the ethanol tolerance of S. cerevisiae. A possible explanation of this relationship is discussed.

A new exopolysaccharide produced by marine Cyanothece sp. 113

Cyanothece sp. 113, a unicellular, aerobic, diazotrophic and photosynthetic marine cyanobacterium, produced 22.34 g/l of exopolysaccharide in 11 days at 29 degrees C, aeration rate of 7.0 l/min and continuous illumination with 4300 lux. After purification, the spectra of UV, IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and GC-MS analysis showed that the purified exopolysaccharide was alpha-D-1,6-homoglucan. This is first report describing linear alpha-D-1,6-homoglucan exopolysaccharide produced by marine cyanobacteria.

Siderophore production by the marine-derived Aureobasidium pullulans and its antimicrobial activity

Over 300 yeast strains isolated from different marine environments were screened for their ability to produce siderophore. Among them, only the yeast strain HN6.2 which was identified to be Aureobasidium pullulans was found to produce high level of the siderophore. Under the optimal conditions, this yeast strain could produce 1.1mg/ml of the siderophore. The crude siderophore produced by the yeast strain HN6.2 was able to inhibit cell growth of Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, isolated from the diseased marine animals.

Ultraviolet resonance Raman examination of horse apomyoglobin acid unfolding intermediates

We have used UV resonance Raman spectroscopy to study the acid-induced denaturation of horse apomyoglobin (apoMb) between pH 7. 0 and 1.8. The 206.5 nm excited Raman spectra are dominated by amide vibrations, which are used to quantitatively determine the apoMb secondary structure. The 229 nm excited Raman spectra are dominated by the Tyr and Trp Raman bands, which are analyzed to examine changes of Tyr and Trp environments and solvent exposures. We observe two partially unfolded apoMb intermediates at pH 4 and pH 2, while we observe only one partially unfolded holoMb intermediate at 2, in which the G and H helices are mainly intact, while the rest of protein is unfolded. This partially unfolded holoMb intermediate at pH 2 is essentially identical to the pH 2 apoMb intermediate. The partially unfolded pH 4 apoMb intermediate is composed of the three folded A, G, and H helices and contains 38% helical structure. The changes in the Trp Raman cross sections during the acid-induced denaturation indicates that Trp 7 is likely to be fully exposed in the apoMb pH 4 intermediate and that the A helix melts with a pKa approximately 3.5.

Bioethanol production from hydrolysates of inulin and the tuber meal of Jerusalem artichoke by Saccharomyces sp. W0

It has been confirmed that Saccharomyces sp. W0 can produce high concentration of ethanol. However, this yeast strain cannot secrete inulinase. Therefore, in this study, inulin was hydrolyzed into reducing sugar by the recombinant inulinase produced by Pichia pastoris X-33/pPICZaA-INU1. It was found that 38.2U of the recombinant inulinase per gram of inulin was suitable for the inulin hydrolysis and ethanol production by Saccharomyces sp. W0 and the fermentation period was 120 h. At the end of the fermentation, over 14.6 ml of ethanol per 100ml of the fermented medium was produced, the ethanol productivity was over 0.384 g of ethanol/g of inulin and over 98.8% of total sugar was utilized. When the Saccharomyces sp. W0 was grown in the mixture of 4.0% hydrolysate of soybean meal and 20.0% of the hydrolysate of inulin for 120 h, over 14.9 ml of ethanol per 100ml of the fermented medium was yielded, the ethanol productivity was over 0.393 g of ethanol/g of inulin and 98.9% of total sugar was used by the yeast strain. When Saccharomyces sp. W0 carrying the same inulinase gene was grown in the medium containing 50 g of the tuber meal of Jerusalem artichoke per 100ml for 144 h, over 12.1+/-0.35%ml of ethanol per 100ml of the fermented medium was yielded, the ethanol productivity was 0.319+/-0.9 g of ethanol/g of sugar and 3.7% (w/v) of total sugar and 0.5% (w/v) of reducing sugar were left in the fermented media.

Purification and characterization of killer toxin from a marine yeast Pichia anomala YF07b against the pathogenic yeast in crab

The molecular mass of the purified killer toxin from the marine killer yeast YF07b was estimated to be 47.0 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified killer toxin were 4.5 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The toxin was activated by Ca(2+), K(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Na(+), and Co(2+). However, Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Hg(2+), Cu(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Ag(+) acted as inhibitors in decreasing activity of the toxin. The toxin was strongly inhibited by phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), iodoacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and 1,10-phenanthroline. The Km of the toxin for laminarin was 1.17 g L(-1). The toxin also actively hydrolyzed laminarin and killed the whole cells of the pathogenic yeast in crab.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of heat-sensitive moxibustion in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving heat-sensitive moxibustion in the treatment of LDH were retrieved from the Chinese Biological Medical Literature database (1978-20011), Weipu database (1989-2011), Wanfang digital journal (1998-2011), China National Knowledge Internet (1979-2011), PubMed (1966-2011), EMBASE (1980-2011), and Cochrane Library (Issue 1,2011). Hand-search of the relevant journals from the Library of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was also adopted for the collection of data. Data were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently with a specially designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0.20 software was used for data analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 6 trials involving 580 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the total effectiveness rate in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was significantly different when compared with conventional moxibustion [RR=1.19, 95% CI [1.06, 1.33)] and diclofenac sodium [RR=1.47, 95% CI [1.17, 1.85)], but similar to that of acupuncture. The cure rate in the heat-sensitive moxibustion group was significantly different when compared with conventional moxibustion [RR=1.58, 95% CI (1.04, 2.40)] and diclofenac sodium [RR-1.91, 95% CI (1.01, 3.60)], but similar with that of acupuncture. In terms of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, significant differences were noted in subjective indices, objective indices, and daily life subscales. Two trials reported that there were no adverse events over the duration of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Compared with conventional moxibustion, acupuncture, and diclofenac sodium, heat-sensitive moxibustion in the treatment of LDH is superior in efficacy. Further large-scale trials are required to define the role of heat-sensitive moxibustion in the treatment of this disease.

The design and protocol of heat-sensitive moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial on the rules of selecting moxibustion location

Background

Knee osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and functional limitation. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms and to avoid the side effects of conventional medication. Moxibustion has been widely used to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis. Our past researches suggested heat-sensitive moxibustion might be superior to the conventional moxibustion. Our objective is to investigate the effectiveness of heat-sensitive moxibustion compared with conventional moxibustion or conventional drug treatment.

Methods

This study consists of a multi-centre (four centers in China), randomised, controlled trial with three parallel arms (A: heat-sensitive moxibustion; B: conventional moxibustion; C: conventional drug group). The moxibustion locations are different from A and B. Group A selects heat-sensitization acupoint from the region consisting of Yin Lingquan(SP9), Yang Lingquan(GB34), Liang Qiu(ST34), and Xue Hai (SP10). Meanwhile, fixed acupoints are used in group B, that is Xi Yan (EX-LE5) and He Ding (EX-LE2). The conventional drug group treats with intra-articular Sodium Hyaluronate injection. The outcome measures above will be assessed before the treatment, the 30 days of the last moxibustion session and 6 months after the last moxibustion session.

Discussion

This trial will utilize high quality trial methodologies in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. It will provide evidence for the effectiveness of moxibustion as a treatment for moderate and severe knee osteoarthritis. Moreover, the result will clarify the rules of heat-sensitive moxibustion location to improve the therapeutic effect with suspended moxibustion, and propose a new concept and a new theory of moxibustion to guide clinical practices.

Trial Registration

The trial is registered at Controlled Clinical Trials: ChiCTR-TRC-00000600.

Expression of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase in the development of mouse brain

Beta1,4-galactosyltransferase (GalTase, EC 2.4.1.38) transfers galactose to the terminal N-acetylglucosamine of complex-type N-glycans, which have great importance for cell-cell interactions during fertilization and early embryogenesis. In this study, the activity of beta1,4-galactosyltransferase in mouse brain during development was measured with the method of reverse HPLC using a fluorescence-labeled biantenary sugar chain, GlcNAcbeta1-2Manalpha1-6(GlcNAcbeta1-2Manalpha1- 3) Manbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc-PA. The level of messenger RNA of this enzyme during the development of mouse brain was also investigated with Northern blot analysis. The results showed that: (1)beta1,4-galactosyltransferase showed similar branch specificity and kinetics for the biantenary substrate during development; (2) GalTase activity in fetal mouse brain was four times higher than that in adult mouse brain and decreased gradually in the course of development; (3) messenger RNA level was highest in fetal mouse and decreased dramatically after birth. However, the contents of mRNA were not parallel to the enzyme activity.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a three-armed multicentre randomised active control trial

BACKGROUND

In China, heat-sensitive moxibustion (HSM) is used for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) to reduce pain and improve physical activity. However, there is little high-quality evidence of its effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of HSM in the treatment of KOA compared with usual care.

METHODS

We performed a multicentre, randomised controlled trial. In total, 432 patients with KOA were randomly assigned to one of three groups (HSM, conventional moxibustion, or conventional injection with sodium hyaluronate). The primary end point was the guiding principle of clinical research on new drugs in the treatment of KOA (GPCRND-KOA). Measurements were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 6 months (month 7) of study.

RESULT

For GPCRND-KOA, there were significant differences among the three groups after treatment at months 1 and 7. Pairwise comparisons showed that HSM was more effective than the conventional drug. There was no difference in any measures between conventional moxibustion and the conventional drug. Compared with conventional moxibustion, HSM resulted in greater improvement in all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial provided some evidence of the superiority of HSM in patients with KOA, suggesting that the observed differences might be due to superiority effects of a heat-sensitive point, although the effect of expectation cannot be ruled out.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The trial was registered at Controlled Clinical Trials: ChiCTR-TRC-09000600.

Comparison of heat-sensitive moxibustion versus fluticasone/salmeterol (seretide) combination in the treatment of chronic persistent asthma: design of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a major health problem and has significant mortality around the world. Although the symptoms can be controlled by drug treatment in most patients, effective low-risk, non-drug strategies could constitute a significant advance in asthma management. An increasing number of patients with asthma are attracted by acupuncture and moxibustion. Therefore, it is of importance that scientific evidence about the efficacy of this type of therapy is regarded. Our past researches suggested heat-sensitive moxibustion might be effective in treatment of asthma. Our objective is to investigate the effectiveness of heat-sensitive moxibustion compared with conventional drug treatment.

METHODS/DESIGN

This study is comprised of a multi-centre (12 centers in China), randomized, controlled trial with two parallel arms (A: heat-sensitive moxibustion; B: conventional drug). Group A selects heat- sensitive acupoints from the rectangle region which consist of two outer lateral lines of dorsal Bladder Meridian of Foot-Taiyang, and two horizontal lines of BL13(Fei Shu) and BL17 (Ge Shu);6 inch outer the first and second rib gap of anterior chest. Group B treats with fluticasone/salmeterol (seretide). The outcome measures will be assessed over a 3-month period before each clinic visit at days 15, 30, 60, and 90. Follow-up visit will be at 3, 6 months after the last treatment session. Adverse event information will be collected at each clinic visit.

DISCUSSION

This trial will utilize high quality trial methodologies in accordance with CONSORT guidelines. It may provide evidence for the effectiveness of heat-sensitive moxibustion as a treatment for chronic moderate persistent asthma. Moreover, the result may propose a new type moxibustion to control asthma.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-09000599.

The C-truncated delta-opioid receptor underwent agonist-dependent activation and desensitization

The agonist-dependent activation and desensitization of a recombinant analog of delta-opioid receptor lacking the carboxyl-terminal (C-terminal) 31 residue peptide segment were discussed. The cDNA of the C-truncated delta-opioid receptor was created by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and characterized by binding assay and function assay. Agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE) stimulated the specific [35S]GTPgammaS binding to membrane fragments of cells expressing the C-truncated and the wild-type delta-opioid receptors in different levels dose-dependently. EC50 values of DPDPE on truncated and wild-types in stimulation were very similar. Agonist-dependent desensitization, which could be blocked by protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine (Stau), was observed after pretreating truncated receptors with 1 microM DPDPE for 10 min, the same as wild-types. The results reveal that the C-terminal of the delta-opioid receptor is not involved in controlling the G-protein activation and phosphorylation-related functional desensitization.

miR-146a aggravates cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease-like pathology by triggering oxidative stress through MAPK signaling

INTRODUCTION

Mir-146a-5p has been widely recognized as a critical regulatory element in the immune response. However, recent studies have shown that miR-146a-5p may also be involved in the development of Alzheimer disease (AD). Regrettably, the related mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of miR-146a in mice models and SH-SY5Y cells treated with amyloid β (Aβ)1-42.

METHODS

To create a model of AD, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with Aβ1-42 and mice received intracerebroventricular injections of Aβ1-42. Then, the transcriptional levels of miR-146a were estimated by real-time PCR. We transiently transfected the miR-146a-5p mimic/inhibitor into cells and mice to study the role of miR-146a. The role of signaling pathways including p38 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was studied by using specific inhibitors. Aβ and amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP)levels were measured by immunoblotting. Furthermore, Aβ expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence and histochemical examinations.

RESULTS

Aβ1-42-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells displayed increased transcriptional levels of miR-146a and APP. Moreover, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and ROS production were activated upon stimulation with a miR-146a-5p mimic. However, treatment with a miR-146a-5p inhibitor decreased the levels of APP, ROS, and p-p38 MAPK. A similar phenomenon was also observed in the animals treated with Aβ1-42, in which miR-146a upregulation increased the expression of Aβ, p-p38, and ROS, while the inhibition of miR-146a had the opposite effect. This suggests that miR-146a increases Aβ deposition and ROS accumulation via the p-p38 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research demonstrates that miR-146a-5pa increases Aβ deposition by triggering oxidative stress through activation of MAPK signaling.

Response to sunitinib in Chinese KIT-mutated metastatic mucosal melanoma

e20017

Background: To investigate the possible relationship between sunitinib response and KIT mutation as well as KIT expression. Methods: We find that a 75-year male patient with KIT-mutated metastatic mucosal (primary: nasal, metastasis: left adrenal gland, lungs and right eye) melanoma has a very good response to sunitinib 37.5mg/d consecutively. We apply IHC sp assay to detect S100, HMB-45, CD117, VEGFR, PDGFR and EGFR in the melanoma sample of this patient. DNA is also extracted from paraffin-embedded melanoma sample of this patient and PCR is carried out to amplify several exons of C-KIT (exon11,13,17,18),B-RAF(exon11, 15) and N- RAS(exon1, 2). PCR products are sent to be directly sequenced. Clinical response, PFS and OS of the patient are evaluated. Results: Strong expression of S100, HMB45, CD117, VEFGR and PDGFR is detected by IHC in the tissue sample of the patient. Furthermore, direct sequencing after PCR reveals that V559A substitution is detected in exon 11 of KIT, with mutation of T into C at 1776, leading to substitution of Valine by Alanine at 559. No mutation was detected in exon 9, 13, 17, 18 of KIT, B-RAF15, 11 or N-RAS1, 2. The patient received sunitinib 37.5mg/d from July 2008 consecutively and evaluated PR (Recist: tumors shrink 70%) lasting for 5 months with Grade II myelosuppression and stomatitis. Now the patient is still alive and received sunitinib. Conclusions: Our case report suggests that response of melanoma patients to sunitinib might be correlated to KIT mutation and expression, and large-scale clinical trial in patients with KIT mutation and over-expression might be useful to shed light on treatment of melanoma patients with individual targeted therapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.