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A novel and simple method of production and biophysical characterization of a mini‐membrane protein, Ost4p: A subunit of yeast oligosaccharyl transferaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report the cloning, successful overexpression and purification of recombinant Ost4p with a novel but simple method producing milligram quantities of pure protein. GB1 protein was found to be the most suitable tag for the large scale production of Ost4p. The cleavage of Ost4p conveniently leaves GB1 protein in solution eliminating further purification. The precipitated pure Ost4p is reconstituted in appropriate membrane mimetic. The recombinant protein is highly helical as indicated by the far‐UV CD spectrum. The well‐dispersed HSQC spectrum indicates that this minimembrane protein is well folded. The successful prod...
Source: Biopolymers - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Amit KumarPricilla WardUma V. KatreSmita Mohanty Source Type: research

Decursin inhibits vasculogenesis in early tumor progression by suppression of endothelial progenitor cell differentiation and functionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we investigated whether decursin regulates EPC differentiation and function to inhibit tumor vasculogenesis. We isolated AC133+ cells from human cord blood and decursin significantly decreased the number of EPC colony forming units of human cord blood‐derived AC133+ cells that produce functional EPC progenies. Decursin dose‐dependently decreased the cell number of EPC committing cells as demonstrated by EPC expansion studies. Decursin inhibited EPC differentiation from progenitor cells into spindle‐shaped EPC colonies. Additionally, decursin inhibited proliferation and migration of early EPCs isolated ...
Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Seok Yun JungJin Hwa ChoiSang‐Mo KwonHaruchika MasudaTakayuki AsaharaYou‐Mie Lee Tags: Article Source Type: research

GRAS proteins: the versatile roles of intrinsically disordered proteins in plant signalling.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract IDPs (intrinsically disordered proteins) are highly abundant in eukaryotic proteomes and important for cellular functions, especially in cell signalling and transcriptional regulation. An IDR (intrinsically disordered region) within an IDP often undergoes disorder-to-order transitions upon binding to various partners, allowing an IDP to recognize and bind different partners at various binding interfaces. Plant-specific GRAS proteins play critical and diverse roles in plant development and signalling, and act as integrators of signals from multiple plant growth regulatory and environmental inputs. Possessin...
Source: The Biochemical Journal - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sun X, Jones WT, Rikkerink EH Tags: Biochem J Source Type: research

Ubiquitin links to cytoskeletal dynamics, cell adhesion and migration.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Post-translational modifications are used by cells to link additional information to proteins. Most modifications are subtle and concern small moieties such as a phosphate group or a lipid. In contrast, protein ubiquitylation entails the covalent attachment of a full-length protein such as ubiquitin. The protein ubiquitylation machinery is remarkably complex, comprising more than 15 Ubls (ubiquitin-like proteins) and several hundreds of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes. Ubiquitin is best known for its role as a tag that induces protein destruction either by the proteasome or through targeting to lysosomes. Ho...
Source: The Biochemical Journal - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Schaefer A, Nethe M, Hordijk PL Tags: Biochem J Source Type: research

Averting Drug ResistanceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is growing exponentially, contributing to an estimated 99,000 deaths from hospital-associated infections in the U.S. annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One reason that this is happening is that drug resistant proteins are transporting "good" antibiotics, or inhibitors, out of the cells, leaving them to mutate. In a paper recently published in the journal Nature, Professor of Biochemistry Dorothee Kern and collaborators including former postdoctoral student Katherine A... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 3, 2012 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: MRSA / Drug Resistance Source Type: news

Oxygen Activation in Neuronal NO Synthase: Resolving the Consecutive Monooxygenation StepsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The vital signalling molecule nitric oxide is produced by mammalian NOS enzymes in two steps. L-arginine is converted to N-hydroxy-L-arginine NOHA, which is converted to NO and citrulline. Both steps are thought to proceed via similar mechanisms in which the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) activates dioxygen at the heme site by electron transfer. The subsequent events are poorly understood due to the lack of stable intermediates. By analogy with cytochromes P450, a heme-iron oxo species may be formed, or direct reaction between a heme-peroxy intermediate and substrate may occur. The two steps may also occur via differen...
Source: BJ Signal - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: D Papale, C Bruckmann, B Gazur, C S Miles, C G Mowat, S Daff Tags: BJ ChemBio Source Type: research

Pentosan polysulfate increases affinity between ADAMTS-5 and TIMP-3 through formation of an electrostatically driven trimolecular complexEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The semi-synthetic sulfated polysaccharide pentosan polysulfate (PPS) increases affinity between the aggrecan-degrading adamalysins with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) and their endogenous inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3. Here we demonstrate that PPS mediates the formation of a high affinity trimolecular complex with ADAMTS-5 and TIMP-3. A TIMP-3 mutant that lacks extracellular matrix binding ability was insensitive to this affinity increase, and truncated forms of ADAMTS-5 that lack the Spacer domain had reduced PPS-binding ability and sensitivity to the affinity increase. PPS molecules compose...
Source: BJ Disease - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: L Troeberg, B Mulloy, P Ghosh, M Lee, G Murphy, H Nagase Tags: BJ Disease Source Type: research

Ab initio protein modeling into cryoEM density maps using EM‐FoldEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
AbstractEM‐Fold was used to build models for nine proteins in the maps of GroEL (7.7 Å resolution) and ribosome (6.4 Å resolution) in the ab initio modeling category of the 2010 cryoEM modeling challenge. EM‐Fold assembles predicted secondary structure elements (SSEs) into regions of the density map that were identified to correspond to either α‐helices or β‐strands. The assembly uses a Monte Carlo algorithm where loop closure, density‐SSE length agreement, and strength of connecting density between SSEs are evaluated. Top scoring models are refined by translating, rotating and bending SSEs to yield better ag...
Source: Biopolymers - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Steffen LindertTommy HofmannNils WötzelMert KarakaşPhoebe L. StewartJens Meiler Source Type: research

A facile electrophoretic technique to monitor phosphoenolpyruvate‐dependent kinasesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)‐dependent kinases are central to numerous metabolic processes and mediate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by substrate‐level phosphorylation (SLP). While pyruvate kinase (PK, EC: 2.7.1.40), the final enzyme of the glycolytic pathway is critical in the anaerobic synthesis of ATP from ADP, pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK, EC: 2.7.9.1) and phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (PEPS, EC: 2.7.9.2) help generate ATP from AMP coupled to PEP as a substrate. Here we demonstrate an inexpensive and effective electrophoretic technology to determine the activities of these enzymes by blue‐native...
Source: Electrophoresis - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Christopher AugerVarun AppannaZachary CastonguaySungwon HanVasu D. Appanna Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Microchip electrophoresis coupled with on‐line magnetic separation and chemiluminescence detection for multiplexed immunoassayEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A facile and universal strategy for multiplexed immunoassay is proposed. The strategy is based on microchip electrophoresis (MCE) coupled with on‐line magnetic separation and chemiluminescence detection. The system consisted of a microchip, an electromagnet and a photomultiplier. The realization of multiplexed immunoassay protocol involves sampling magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) labeled antibodies, N‐(4‐aminobutyl)‐N‐ethyl‐isoluminol (ABEI) labeled antigens and free antigens in the precolumn reactor, on‐line immunoreaction, capturing the MNPs‐ immunocomplexes, and the separation of unconjugated ABEI‐labele...
Source: Electrophoresis - February 3, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Yong HuangShulin ZhaoMing ShiJinwen LiuHong Liang Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Acute inhibition of iron bioavailability by zinc: studies in humans.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies constitute two of the most important nutritional and public health problems affecting developing countries. Combined supplementation or fortification with Zn and Fe are strategies that can be used to improve the Zn and Fe status of a population. However, there is concern about potential negative interactions between these two micronutrients due to a competitive binding to DMT1 and Zip14 transporter. Studies performed in humans have shown an inhibitory effect of Zn on Fe absorption when both minerals are given together as a solution in fasting conditions. We found that a...
Source: Biometals - February 2, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Olivares M, Pizarro F, Ruz M, López de Romaña D Tags: Biometals Source Type: research

A naturally occurring nonapeptide functionally compensates the CP1 domain of leucyl-tRNA synthetase to modulate aminoacylation activityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) establish the rules of the genetic code by catalyzing the formation of aminoacyl-tRNA. The quality control for aminoacylation reaction is achieved by editing activity, which is usually carried out by a discrete editing domain. For leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), the connective peptide 1 (CP1) domain is the editing domain responsible for hydrolyzing mis-charged tRNA. The CP1 domain is universally present in LeuRSs except LeuRS from Mycoplasma mobile (MmLeuRS). The substitute of CP1 in MmLeuRS is a nonapeptide (MmLinker). We show here that the MmLinker, which is critical for aminoacylation ...
Source: BJ Gene - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: M Tan, W Yan, R Liu, M Wang, X Chen, X Zhou, E Wang Tags: BJ Gene Source Type: research

Cytosolic Ca2{+} regulates the energisation of isolated brain mitochondria by formation of pyruvate through the malate{-}aspartate shuttleEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The glutamate-dependent respiration of isolated brain mitochondria (BM) is regulated by cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+cyt) (S0.5 = 225 ± 22 nM) through its effects on aralar. We now also demonstrate that the a-glycerophosphate-dependent respiration is controlled by Ca2+cyt (S0.5 = 60 ± 10 nM). At higher Ca2+cyt (< 600 nM), BM accumulate Ca2+ which enhances the rate of action of intramitochondrial dehydrogenases. The highest Ca2+-induced increments of state 3 respiration decrease with substrate in the order glutamate < a-ketoglutarate < isocitrate < a-glycerophosphat...
Source: BJ Energy - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: F N Gellerich, Z Gizatullina, S Trumbeckaite, B Korzeniewski, T Gaynutdinov, E Seppet, S Vielhaber, H Heinze, F Striggow Tags: BJ Energy Source Type: research

Phosphorylation target site specificity for AGC kinases DMPK E and Lats2Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
AbstractSerine/threonine kinases of the AGC group are important regulators of cell growth and motility. To examine the candidate substrate profile for two members of this group, DMPK E and Lats2, we performed in vitro kinase assays on peptide arrays. Substrate peptides for both kinases exhibited a predominance of basic residues surrounding the phosphorylation target site. 3D homology modeling of the kinase domains of DMPK E and Lats2 indicated that presence of two negative pockets in the peptide binding groove provides an explanation for the substrate preference. These findings will aid future research towards signaling fu...
Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lieke GerritsHanka VenselaarBé WieringaDerick G. WansinkWiljan J.A.J. Hendriks Tags: Article Source Type: research

Deep sequencing reveals predominant expression of miR‐21 amongst the small noncoding RNAs in retinal microvascular endothelial cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
AbstractThe retinal vascular endothelium is essential for angiogenesis and is involved in maintaining barrier selectivity and vascular tone. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify microRNAs and other small regulatory non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which may regulate these crucial functions. Primary bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) provide a well characterized in vitro system for studying angiogenesis. RNA extracted from RMECs was used to prepare a small RNA library for deep sequencing (Illumina Genome Analyzer). A total of 6.8 million reads were mapped to 250 known microRNAs in miRBase (releas...
Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jasenka Guduric‐FuchsAnna O'ConnorAngela CullenLaura HarwoodReinhold J. MedinaChristina L O'NeillAlan W. StittTim M. CurtisDavid A. Simpson Tags: Article Source Type: research

Clinical significance of circulating interleukin‐23 as a prognostic factor in breast cancer patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
DiscussionThis work investigated, for the first time, the role of IL‐23 in breast cancer patients showing a significant increase respect the control group. However, further validations are needed in larger studies to better investigate the implications of IL‐23 increase in these patients. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry)
Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sebastiano GangemiPaola MinciulloBarbara AdamoTindara FranchinaGiuseppina RR RicciardiMaria FerraroRoberta BriguglioGiuseppe ToscanoSalvatore SaittaVincenzo Adamo Tags: Article Source Type: research

Overexpression of hTERT extends replicative capacity of human nucleus pulposus cells, and protects against serum starvation‐induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrestEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
AbstractThe nucleus pulposus cells are chondrocyte‐like cells that are required for the resistance of compressive loads through the synthesis of collagen fibrils and proteoglycan aggrecans, and the generation of a hydrostatic swelling pressure, and thus play an important role in the intervertebral disc. Here we report the production and characterization of an immortalized human nucleus pulposus (NP) cell line from normal nucleus pulposus cells using stable transfection of recombinant human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. The hTERT‐transfected nucleus pulposus cells exhibited morphological characteristics...
Source: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Weiguo LiangDongping YeLibing DaiYan ShenJiake Xu Tags: Article Source Type: research

Electroosmotic flow modulation in capillary electrophoresis by organic cations from ionic liquidsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper describes the ability of several ionic liquids’ cations for electroosmotic flow modulation in capillary electrophoresis. Organic salts based on phosphonium, sulfonium, cysteinium, ammonium and guanidinium cations were selected to study this property. In addition, the synergistic effect of these compounds in cyclodextrin chiral separation was also evaluated. In comparison with most studied imidazolium based ionic liquids, several of the cations studied, are stronger modifiers in terms of EOF modulation. Phosphonium based compounds and tri‐octyl methylammonium chloride ([Aliquat]Cl) had the strongest ability t...
Source: Electrophoresis - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Acácio MendesLuís C. BrancoCristiana MoraisAna Luísa Simplício Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Separation principles of Cycling Temperature Capillary ElectrophoresisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
High throughput means to detect and quantify low frequency mutations (<10−2) in the DNA coding sequences of human tissues and pathological lesions are required to discover the kinds, numbers and rates of genetic mutations that (a.) confer inherited risk for disease or (b.) arise in somatic tissues as events required for clonal diseases such as cancers and atherosclerotic plaque. While throughput of linear DNA sequencing methods have increased dramatically such methods are limited by high error rates (>10−3) rendering them unsuitable for the detection of low frequency risk‐conferring mutations among the many neu...
Source: Electrophoresis - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Per Olaf EkstrømDavid J. WarrenWilliam G. Thilly Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

An improved silver stain for the visualization of lipopolysaccharides on polyacrylamide gelsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, the most commonly used formaldehyde‐based LPS silver stain, which has potential hazard to the health of operator, is replaced by ascorbic acid (Vc) in alkaline sodium thiosulfate solution. It takes only about 35 min to complete all the protocol, with a detection limit of 4 ng of total LPS. The results indicate that this user‐friendly method could be a good choice for LPS visualization on polyacrylamide gels. (Source: Electrophoresis)
Source: Electrophoresis - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Zhong‐Xin ZhuWei‐Tao CongMao‐Wei NiXi WangWei‐De MaWei‐Jian YeLi‐Tai JinXiao‐Kun Li Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research

Capillary electrophoretic analysis of whole blood samples for hemoglobin based oxygen carriers without the use of immunoprecipitationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are blood substitutes, synthesized by polymerizing hemoglobin, which are being developed and investigated as alternatives to blood for medical purposes. However, due to their ability to increase the oxygen carrying capacity when taken by healthy individuals, HBOCs have been used as a doping agent among endurance athletes and are included in the World Anti‐Doping Agency's Prohibited List. To maintain the fairness of competitions and continue the battle against doping it is essential to be able to detect HBOCs if present in an athlete's blood. To achieve this goal it is necessary to...
Source: Electrophoresis - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Christopher R. HarrisonSrilatha Vydha Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Bioactivity of Sour Cherry Cultivars Grown in DenmarkEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Thirty four varieties of sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) were investigated for their total antioxidant activity, Caco‐2 cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activity and effect on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Total phenolic content, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activity of sour cherries were closely correlated but not PGE2 production. The cultivars ‘Birgitte × Böttermö’, ‘Fanal’ and ‘Tiki’ were the three cultivars with the highest ORAC values (180, 147 and 133 µmol TE/g, respectively) and inhibition against Caco‐2 cancer cell proliferatio...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Gaik Ming KhooMorten Rahr ClausenBjarne Hjelmsted PedersenErik Larsen Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Myrislignan Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Inflammation Reaction in Murine Macrophage Cells Through Inhibition of NF‐κB Signalling Pathway ActivationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Myrislignan is a new kind of lignan isolated from Myristica fragrans Houtt. Its antiinflammatory effects have not yet been reported. In the present study, the antiinflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of myrislignan in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. Myrislignan significantly inhibited LPS‐induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose‐dependent manner. It inhibited mRNA expression and release of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). This compound significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Hong JinZheng‐Guang ZhuPeng‐Jiu YuGuang‐Fa WangJun‐Yan ZhangJing‐Rong LiRui‐Ting AiZhong‐Huang LiYuan‐Xin TianWei Xu, Jia‐Jie ZhangShu‐Guang Wu Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Cranberry Juice Extract, A Mild Prooxidant with Cytotoxic Properties Independent of Reactive Oxygen SpeciesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A cranberry juice extract (CJE), rich in proanthocyanidins, had weak prooxidant properties, generating low levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide. Generation of H2O2 was pH dependent, increasing at alkaline pH, and was lowered in the presence of catalase and, to a lesser extent, of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Growth inhibition and cytotoxicity were noted towards human oral carcinoma HSC‐2 cells, with midpoint cytotoxicity at 200 µg/mL CJE, but not towards human gingival HF‐1 fibroblasts. Being a mild prooxidant, CJE toxicity was unaffected by exogenous catalase and pyruvate, scavengers of H2O2, but trigge...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: H. BabichI. M. IckowJ. H. WeisburgH. L. ZuckerbraunA. G. Schuck Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Inhibition of NF‐ κB Activity by Minor Polar Components of Extra‐Virgin Olive Oil at Gastric LevelEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The present work evaluates the effect of olive oil phenols on NF‐κB activity in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. The total phenol content was measured by the Folin Ciocalteu method, whereas the composition was assessed by LC‐MS/MS analysis. Secoiridoids represented 71% and 83% of the Italian and Spanish extracts, respectively, phenol alcohols were in the range 9–13%. Ligustroside aglycone was the most abundant (37% and 46%, respectively, in the Italian and Spanish sample), and the concentration of flavonoids AP and LU was below 1%. Phenol extracts were assayed at 0.25–7.5 µg/mL, whereas single compounds were...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Enrico SangiovanniElisa ColomboMarco FumagalliFederico AbbiatiDonatella CarusoMario Dell'Agli Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research

Investigating the Effectiveness of St John's Wort Herb as an Antimicrobial Agent against MycobacteriaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A persistent need exists for effective treatment agents for mycobacterial infections. This research investigated the effectiveness of the Hypericum perforatum herb (commonly known as St John's wort; SJW) in its growth inhibition of mycobacteria. A SJW extract was effective at inhibiting five nonpathogenic Mycobacterium isolates and Bacillus subtilis, but not Escherichia coli. Quantitative studies of concentration sensitivity to the SJW extract were performed with minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) ranging from 0.33 to 2.66 mg extract/mL. The SJW compounds hyperforin (Hfn), hypericin (Hpn), and pseudohypericin (Phn...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Trent MortensenShujie ShenFenAnn ShenMarie K. WalshRonald C. SimsCharles D. Miller Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Anxiolytic‐like Effect of α‐Asarone in MiceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The effects of α‐asarone in four assays predictive of anxiolytic activity in male mice were studied, with diazepam as a positive anxiolytic control. The use of the elevated plus‐maze test revealed that diazepam (2 mg/kg) or α‐asarone (3.5 mg/kg) increased the percentage of entries into open arms and of the time spent on open arms. In the light/dark transition test, as with 2 mg/kg diazepam, 7 mg/kg α‐asarone increased the time spent in the light area and the number of transitions between the two compartments. In the novel food consumption test, α‐asarone (3.5, 7 and 14 mg/kg) caused significant incr...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Shuang LiuSi Wei ChenNa XuXing Hua LiuHua ZhangYan Zi WangXiao Dan Xu Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Antioxidant Activity of Moringa oleifera Tissue ExtractsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, M. oleifera ethanolic and saline extracts contain antioxidants that support the use of the plant tissues as food sources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Phytotherapy Research)
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Andréa F. S. SantosAdriana C. C. ArgoloPatrícia M. G. PaivaLuana C. B. B. Coelho Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Effects of Cranberry Extracts on Growth and Biofilm Production of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus speciesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study evaluated the effects of three proprietary PAC‐standardized cranberry extracts on the inhibition of bacterial growth and biofilm production against a panel of clinically relevant pathogens: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, clinical methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. The extracts inhibited the growth of the Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus spp.) but not the Gram‐negative species (E. coli) with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range 0.02–5 mg/mL. The extracts also inhibited biofilm production by the Gram‐positive ...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kerry L. LaPlanteSimon A. SarkisianSuzanne WoodmanseeDavid C. RowleyNavindra P. Seeram Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Essential Oil of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak Needles: Chemical Composition, Antifungal Activity and CytotoxicityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi. In the present work the composition and the antifungal activity of the oils of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak were evaluated. Moreover, the skin cytotoxicity, at concentrations showing significant antifungal activity, was also evaluated. The oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the oil against der...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: C. CabralV. FranciscoC. CavaleiroM. J. GonçalvesM. T. CruzF. SalesM. T. BatistaL. Salgueiro Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Hepatoprotective Effects of Pycnogenol in a Rat Model of Non‐alcoholic SteatohepatitisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Oxidative stress is considered as a mechanism of hepatocellular injury in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pycnogenol (PYC) is the natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton. and has potent antioxidant activities. We studied the protective effect of PYC on excessive fat accumulation in the liver fed a methionine–choline deficient (MCD) high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. Pycnogenol (10 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected and assessed for effects of PYC by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Histopatholo...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lin MeiMiyako MochizukiNoboru Hasegawa Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research

Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Tinospora cordifolia Inhibit Rat Lens Aldose ReductaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The inhibitory activity of Tinospora cordifolia stem‐derived alkaloids was evaluated against lens aldose reductase (AR) isolated from male Wistar rats. Anticataract potential of the alkaloids of T. cordifolia was evaluated in vitro in rat lenses, considering the activity of normal rat lenses as 100%. The biologically active constituents of T. cordifolia extract were characterized as the isoquinoline alkaloids, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and magnoflorine, by spectral analysis. The inhibitory effects varied with all chemicals and concentrations used. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of jatrorrhizine, palmatine and ...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Mayurkumar B. PatelShrihari Mishra Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Protocatechuic Aldehyde Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Apoptosis via Regulation of Caspase‐3Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells results in the loss of endothelial integrity, and is a risk factor of atherosclerosis (AS). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates inflammation during AS. The current study examined the effect of a potent water‐soluble antioxidant, protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA; derived from the Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza) on apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with LPS. The LPS (15 µg/ml) stimulation for 30 h resulted in significant HUVEC apoptosis, as detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V analysis. The PCA (0.25–1.0 mmol/L, 12 h) inhibit...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ya‐Ling XingZhe ZhouAgulaZhi‐Yin ZhongYong‐Jie MaYan‐ling ZhaoXiao‐He XiaoSheng‐Qi Wang Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Protective Effect of Brazilian Propolis Against Hepatic Oxidative Damage in Rats with Water‐immersion Restraint StressEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In the present study we examined the protective effect of Brazilian propolis against hepatic oxidative damage in rats with water‐immersion restraint stress (WIRS) in comparison with that of vitamin E (VE). Fasted rats orally received Brazilian green propolis ethanol extract (BPEE; 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg), VE (250 mg/kg) or vehicle at 30 min before the onset of WIRS. Exposure of vehicle‐treated rats to 6 h of WIRS caused liver cell damage, judging from the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferease, increased hepatic lipid peroxide, NOx contents and myeloperoxidase activity, and decrea...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tadashi NakamuraYoshiji OhtaKoji OhashiKumiko IkenoRie WatanabeKenji TokunagaNobuhiro Harada Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

A naturally occurring nonapeptide functionally compensates the CP1 domain of leucyl-tRNA synthetase to modulate aminoacylation activity.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) establish the rules of the genetic code by catalyzing the formation of aminoacyl-tRNA. The quality control for aminoacylation reaction is achieved by editing activity, which is usually carried out by a discrete editing domain. For leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), the connective peptide 1 (CP1) domain is the editing domain responsible for hydrolyzing mis-charged tRNA. The CP1 domain is universally present in LeuRSs except LeuRS from Mycoplasma mobile (MmLeuRS). The substitute of CP1 in MmLeuRS is a nonapeptide (MmLinker). We show here that the MmLinker, which is critical fo...
Source: The Biochemical Journal - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tan M, Yan W, Liu RJ, Wang M, Chen X, Zhou XL, Wang ED Tags: Biochem J Source Type: research

Cytosolic Ca2+ regulates the energisation of isolated brain mitochondria by formation of pyruvate through the malate-aspartate shuttle.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract The glutamate-dependent respiration of isolated brain mitochondria (BM) is regulated by cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+cyt) (S0.5 = 225 ± 22 nM) through its effects on aralar. We now also demonstrate that the a-glycerophosphate-dependent respiration is controlled by Ca2+cyt (S0.5 = 60 ± 10 nM). At higher Ca2+cyt (< 600 nM), BM accumulate Ca2+ which enhances the rate of action of intramitochondrial dehydrogenases. The highest Ca2+-induced increments of state 3 respiration decrease with substrate in the order glutamate < a-ketoglutarate < isocitrate < a-glycerophosphate < pyruvate. Whereas the oxidatio...
Source: The Biochemical Journal - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Gellerich FN, Gizatullina Z, Trumbeckaite S, Korzeniewski B, Gaynutdinov T, Seppet E, Vielhaber S, Heinze HJ, Striggow F Tags: Biochem J Source Type: research

Multiple effects of a short-term dexamethasone treatment in human skeletal muscle and adipose tissueEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Glucocorticoids are frequently prescribed drugs with important side-effects such as glucose intolerance and tissue remodeling. The goal was to explore the molecular basis of the response of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue during a short-term dexamethasone treatment to better understand the induction of side-effects of glucocorticoids on these metabolic tissues. Fifteen healthy male subjects were assigned to a 4-day treatment with dexamethasone at 4 mg/day. The primary outcome measures were changes in gene expression profiling of subcutaneous skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Urinary cortisol, plasma, and metabolic bio...
Source: Physiological Genomics - February 1, 2012 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Viguerie, N., Picard, F., Hul, G., Roussel, B., Barbe, P., Iacovoni, J. S., Valle, C., Langin, D., Saris, W. H. M. Tags: Research Articles Source Type: research

In-Cell Solid-State NMR as a Tool to Study Proteins in Large Complexes.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract A major limitation of solution NMR is molecular tumbling, which is often too slow for detection. Here we demonstrate that solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with flash freezing of cells can be used to detect proteins in the cellular environment and provides information on backbone chemical shifts. PMID: 22298299 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Chembiochem)
Source: Chembiochem - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Reckel S, Lopez JJ, Löhr F, Glaubitz C, Dötsch V Tags: Chembiochem Source Type: research

SFBC: 70 years of medical biology.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
PMID: 22294135 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Gambert P Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Analytical quality of assays and comparison of procedures for the sweat test.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, comparison of methods highlighted that the less the sweat test is automatically controlled, the more the operator influence on results quality is important. Our study supports that sweat test result &#60;50 mmol/L NaCl Eq is unlikely with CF diagnosis in absence of clinical arguments. PMID: 22294136 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Nguyen-Khoa T, Borgard JP, Marchand M, Sitruk-Khalfon D, Feuillet MN, Feldmann D, Vassault A, Rota M Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Apolipoprotein(a) isoforms immunoblotting detection: comparative study of two methods.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study reports the comparison between two methods (chemiluminescence and enzymatic colorimetry) for revelation of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoforms by immunoblotting in 102 Ivorian healthy subjects. Apo(a) isoform sizes were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by immunoblotting using enzymatic colorimetry or chemiluminescence. Within-run precision was comprised between 4.9% and 9.2% for colorimetry and between 2.9% and 4.6% for chemiluminescence. Both methods have detected apo(a) isoforms in all patients, even when lipoprotein(a) concentrations were und...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Edjème-Aké A, Garnotel R, Vallé-Polneau S, Ahiboh H, Hauhouot-Attoungbré ML, Monnet D, Gillery P Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Sensitization to aeroallergens at Mohamed V Hospital (Rabat, Morroco).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract This transversal case study aimed at drawing the biological profile of sensitized patients consulting for respiratory allergies at Mohamed V Military Hospital-Rabat. One hundred four patients were included in the case study, who have benefitted from specialized medical consultation and those who came to the biochemistry laboratory holding a medical check-up prescription for allergy (NFS and biochemical check-up). The biochemical analysis were made up of TMA Phadiatop(®), correct proportioning of specific IgE serum, and complete IgE. The different anamnestic and clinical parameters acting upon the sensitiz...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Abbi R, Zinsou CM, Dami A, Ouzzif Z, Elmechtani S, Tellal S, Bouhsain S Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Pseudocholinesterase activity in type 1 bipolar patients.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study aims to investigate the variation of pseudocholinesterase activity (BuChE) in bipolar patients and to explore its relation to the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of this disease. Our study included 105 patients with bipolar disorder and 100 control subjects aged 38.7 ± 12.2 and 36.4 ± 15.7 y, respectively. BuChE was determined by kinetic methods on Cobas Integra 400 plus™. Compared with controls, patients had a significantly higher pseudocholinesterase activity. Moreover, this increase was significantly associated (p = 0.001) with bipolar disorder with sensibility of 58% and specific...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ezzaher A, Haj Mouhamed D, Mechri A, Neffati F, Douki W, Gaha L, Najjar MF Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Biological assay for galactose-1 phosphate measurement application in subjects with galactosemia.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study was conducted in order to assess the repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, and effectiveness of the techniques used. We have found the CV for a repeatability (CV = 5 %), reproducibility (CV = 4 %) which confirms the accuracy of the method proceeded in this study. This method allows us to have a degree of inaccuracy less than 1%. According to the study of the effectiveness of "spot test", we found that our technique is specific (Sp = 93 %) and sensitive (Se = 83 %). PMID: 22294140 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Braham I, Charfeddine B, Ben Othmene L, Neffati S, Mtar A, Ben Abdallah J, Ali Smach M, Dridi H, Limem K Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Triple fungal infection in a patient with liver cirrhosis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report a case of triple fungal infection including an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis by Aspergillus fumigatus, a candidemia by Candida albicans and a Pneumocystis pneumonia. The overall clinical picture of this patient was liver cirrhosis with medical history of immunosuppressive treatment for Crohn disease and a non-hodgkin lymphoma. There was no antifungal prophylaxis for this patient. Under treatment, the issue was unfavourable with multivisceral failure. PMID: 22294141 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique)
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Alidjinou K, Mathieu D, Colombel JF, François N, Poulain D, Sendid B Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Primary granulocytic sarcoma of the peritoneum: a case report and literature review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report the case of a 20 years old man without particular previous pathologies, which brutally presented an ascitic syndrome in a context of health impairment state. The laparoscopy showes many white nodules on all the peritoneum. The histologic examination of one of these nodules showed granulocytic sarcoma. The blood and bone marrow cell count are without any anomaly. The treatment consisted of a standard acute myeloid leukaemia's chemotherapy with very good evolution. The rarity of peritoneal chloroma causes a diagnostic problem, especially in the absence of hematologic abnormalities. It must be mentioned in the prese...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Eddou H, El Bouzidi A, Valero E, Helissey C, Malfuson JV, De Revel T, Doghmi K, Mikdame M Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Post-varicella cerebral thrombophlebitis with anti-protein S: report of a pediatric case.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report the case of a 6 year old with no history individuals who experienced cerebral thrombophlebitis, 3 weeks after varicella. MRI, performed at admission, has objectified longitudinal sinus thrombosis and a frontal parenchymal hematoma law. Meanwhile, a recent varicella seroconversion was demonstrated. The assessment of thrombophilia, meanwhile, has objectified a significant decrease in free protein S and activity, without associated DIC. Origin acquired this deficit was confirmed by the detection of antibodies (IgG and IgM) against the total protein S by ELISA. After evaluation of the benefit/risk only anticoagulatio...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Samyn B, Grunebaum L, Amiral J, Ammouche C, Lounis K, Eicher E, Mauvieux L, Desprez D Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Association between the percentages of typical forms, acrosome abnormalities and the multiple anomalies indices: potential quality indicators?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract In addition to NF EN ISO 15189, the second version of "GBEA AMP", published in the official journal of the French Republic, had set for "AMP" exams, the actions to be implemented in order to achieve an efficient quality management system. As part of continuous improvement of quality, and besides our external and internal quality systems, we have been developping indicators that will allow an early detection of potential drifts within operators performing sperm morphology testing. We have extracted nearly 1900 sperm morphology tests from our database. These tests were performed by three operators. The analy...
Source: Annales de Biologie Clinique - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Laudat A, Lecourbe K, Joyeux C, Burc-Struxiano L Tags: Ann Biol Clin (Paris) Source Type: research

Known and potential roles of transferrin in iron biology.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Transferrin is an abundant serum metal-binding protein best known for its role in iron delivery. The human disease congenital atransferrinemia and animal models of this disease highlight the essential role of transferrin in erythropoiesis and iron metabolism. Patients and mice deficient in transferrin exhibit anemia and a paradoxical iron overload attributed to deficiency in hepcidin, a peptide hormone synthesized largely by the liver that inhibits dietary iron absorption and macrophage iron efflux. Studies of inherited human disease and model organisms indicate that transferrin is an essential regulator o...
Source: Biometals - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Bartnikas TB Tags: Biometals Source Type: research

Copper deficiency has minimal impact on ferroportin expression or function.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract Interactions between copper and iron homeostasis have been known since the nineteenth century when anemia in humans was first described due to copper limitation. However, the mechanism remains unknown. Intestinal and liver iron concentrations are usually higher following copper deficiency (CuD). This may be due to impaired function of the multicopper oxidases hephaestin or ceruloplasmin (Cp), respectively. However, iron retention could be due to altered ferroportin (Fpn), the essential iron efflux transporter in enterocytes and macrophages. Fpn mRNA is controlled partially by intracellular iron and IRE dep...
Source: Biometals - February 1, 2012 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Prohaska JR, Broderius M Tags: Biometals Source Type: research