MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Amino Acids' source. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:57:29 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385846&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20238131%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang F, Zheng QZ, Jiao QC, Liu JZ, Zhao GH Theanine (gamma-glutamylethylamide) is the main amino acid component in green tea. The demand for theanine in the food and pharmaceutical industries continues to increase because of its special flavour and multiple physiological effects. In this research, an improved method for enzymatic theanine synthesis is reported. An economical substrate, glutamic acid gamma-methyl ester, was used in the synthesis catalyzed by immobilized Escherichia coli cells with gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity. The results show that GGT activity with glutamic acid gamma-methyl ester as substrate was about 1.2-folds higher than that with glutamine as substrate. Reaction conditions were optimized by using 300 mmol/l glutamic acid gamma-methyl ester... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385846 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385845&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20238132%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen WQ, Salmazo A, Myllykoski M, Sjöblom B, Bidlingmaier M, Pollak A, Baumgärtel P, Djinovic-Carugo K, Kursula P, Lubec G Most protein preparations require purification steps prior to biophysical analysis assessing protein stability, secondary structure and degree of folding. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to develop a system to separate and purify a protein from a commercially available medicinal product, recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and show preservation of conformation and function following the gel-based procedure. The rhGH was run on clear native (CN) gels and recovered from the gels by electroelution using D-Tube Dialyzer Midi under rigorous cooling. Melting point studies indicated preservation of the structural integrity. This finding was... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385845 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385844&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20300786%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, tanshinone IIA enhances the commitment of C2C12 cells into osteoblasts and their differentiation through synergistic cross talk between tanshinone IIA-induced p38 activation and BMP-2-induced Smad activation. These activations could subsequently induce the activation of Runx2, which induces osteogenesis via regulation of the osteogenic factors BMP and ALP expression. PMID: 20300786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385844 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385843&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20300787%26dopt%3DAbstract This study determined the utilization of amino acids (AA) by bacteria from the lumen of the pig small intestine. Digesta samples from different segments of the small intestine were inoculated into media containing 10 mmol/L each of select AA (L: -lysine, L: -threonine, L: -arginine, L: -glutamate, L: -histidine, L: -leucine, L: -isoleucine, L: -valine, L: -proline, L: -methionine, L: -phenylalanine or L: -tryptophan) and incubated for 24 h. The previous 24-h culture served as an inoculum for a subsequent 24-h subculture during each of 30 subcultures. Results of the in vitro cultivation experiment indicated that the 24-h disappearance rates for lysine, arginine, threonine, glutamate, leucine, isoleucine, valine or histidine were 50-90% in the duodenum, jejunum or ileum groups. After 30 subc... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385843 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385842&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20300788%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stamnaes J, Dorum S, Fleckenstein B, Aeschlimann D, Sollid LM Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is well characterized as the main autoantigen of celiac disease. The ability of TG2 to deamidate and crosslink gluten peptides is essential for the gluten-dependent production of TG2 specific autoantibodies. In patients with primarily extraintestinal manifestation of gluten sensitivity the repertoire of autoantibodies may be different. In dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), TG3 appears to be the target autoantigen whereas in gluten ataxia (GA) autoantibodies reactive with TG6 are present. A functional role for TG3 and TG6 in these diseases has yet to be described. It is also not known whether these enzymes can use gluten peptides implicated in the pathology as substrates. We here report that simi... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385842 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385841&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20300789%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang L, Chang G, Zhang X, Wang T In this paper, we present an approach based on Burrows-Wheeler transform to compare the protein sequences. The strings representing amino acid sequences do not reflect the chemical physical properties better, and it is very hard to extract any key features by reading these long character strings directly. The use of the Burrows-Wheeler similarity distribution needs a suitable representation which can reflect some interesting properties of the proteins. For the comparison of the primary protein sequences we convert the protein sequences into digital codes by the Ponnuswamy hydrophobicity index, and for the comparison of the structure of the proteins we adjust the topology of protein structure strings, which are simple but useful representation o... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385841 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3385841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3379587&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20232092%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lin X, Xie J, Chen X Molecular imaging is an emerging discipline which plays critical roles in diagnosis and therapeutics. It visualizes and quantifies markers that are aberrantly expressed during the disease origin and development. Protein molecules remain to be one major class of imaging probes, and the option has been widely diversified due to the recent advances in protein engineering techniques. Antibodies are part of the immunosystem which interact with target antigens with high specificity and affinity. They have long been investigated as imaging probes and were coupled with imaging motifs such as radioisotopes for that purpose. However, the relatively large size of antibodies leads to a half-life that is too long for common imaging purposes. Besides, it may also cause ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3379587 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3379587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3379589&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20232090%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cao Q, Liu S, Niu G, Chen K, Yan Y, Liu Z, Chen X Early evaluation of cancer response to a therapeutic regimen can help increase the effectiveness of treatment schemes and, by enabling early termination of ineffective treatments, minimize toxicity, and reduce expenses. Biomarkers that provide early indication of tumor therapy response are urgently needed. Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth, and new anti-angiogenic agents can act by preventing the development of a suitable blood supply to sustain tumor growth. The purpose of this study is to develop a class of novel molecular imaging probes that will predict tumor early response to an anti-angiogenic regimen with the humanized vascular endothelial growth factor antibody bevacizumab. Using a bevacizumab-sensitive LS17... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3379589 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3379589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3379588&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20232091%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yan Y, Chen X One main issue with peptide-based molecular imaging probes is their relatively low tumor affinity and short retention time. To improve peptide binding affinity, multivalency approach has been introduced. Traditionally, this approach involves the use of peptide homodimers or homomultimers in which peptide ligands of the same type are constructed with suitable linkers. Recently, a new approach using peptide heterodimers has emerged as a promising method for targeting multi-receptor over-expressed tumor cells. Significant affinity enhancements have been observed with peptide heterodimers compared with their parent peptide monomers. In a peptide heterodimer, two different peptide ligands capable of targeting two different receptors are covalently linked. The binding ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3379588 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3379588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3360929&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20221839%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choudhary A, Pua KH, Raines RT The saturated ring and secondary amine of proline spawn equilibria between pyrrolidine ring puckers as well as peptide bond isomers. These conformational equilibria can be modulated by alterations to the chemical architecture of proline. For example, C(gamma) in the pyrrolidine ring can be replaced with sulfur, which can be oxidized either stereoselectively to yield diastereomeric S-oxides or completely to yield a sulfone. Here, the thiazolidine ring and peptide bond conformations of 4-thiaproline and its S-oxides were analyzed in an Ac-Xaa-OMe system using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and hybrid density functional theory. The results indicate that the ring pucker of the S-oxides is governed by the gauche effect, and the prolyl peptid... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3360929 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3360929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3360928&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20225135%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the odor discrimination task to investigate olfactory recognition memory of adult male C57BL/6J mice was used. Subsequently, olfactory bulbs (OBs) were taken, proteins extracted, and run on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis with in-gel-protein digestion, followed by mass spectrometry and quantification of differentially expressed proteins. Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1), dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 1 (DRP1), and fascin are related with Lemon odor memory. Microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3 is related to Rose odor memory. Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase is related with both Lemon and Rose odors memory. MEK1 and DRP1 levels were increased, while microtubule-associated protein RP/EB family member 3, fa... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3360928 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3360928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3360927&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20225136%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: O'Reilly E, Balducci D, Paradisi F An atom-efficient and stereoselective synthesis has been developed for the preparation of alpha-(2)H-labelled (S)-alpha-amino acids, starting from a novel chiral diketopiperazine scaffold. Efficient mono-alkylation of the chiral template afforded the (S)-substituted adducts with the nature of the electrophile significantly effecting the stereochemical outcome. Subsequent alkylation was totally selective producing the 1,4-cis adduct as the sole diastereoisomer. The deprotection was carried out using cerium ammonium nitrate followed by acid hydrolysis affording the enantipure alpha-amino acids. PMID: 20225136 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3360927 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3360927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3360931&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20221649%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rahmati A, Vakili K Histidine and arginine were applied to the synthesis of trisubstituted alkenes through a condensation of an aldehyde with an activated CH-acid such as ethyl cyanoacetate, malononitrile, acetyl acetone or ethyl acetoacetate during 5-12 h in water at room temperature. PMID: 20221649 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3360931 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3360931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3360930&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20221650%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hao G, Zhou J, Guo Y, Long MA, Anthony T, Stanfield J, Hsieh JT, Sun X Non-invasive detection of prostate cancer or metastases still remains a challenge in the field of molecular imaging. In our recent work of screening arginine- or lysine-rich peptides for intracellular delivery of a therapeutic agent into prostate cancer cells, an arginine-rich cell permeable peptide (NH(2)GR(11)) was found with an unexpectedly preferential uptake in prostate cancer cell lines. The goal of this work was to develop this peptide as a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging probe for specific detection of distant prostate cancer metastases. The optimal length of arginine-rich peptides was evaluated by the cell uptake efficiency of three fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tagged oligoarginines... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3360930 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3360930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353698&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20217439%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mallakpour S, Khani M A number of chiral wholly aromatic polyesters (PEs) with phthalimido and flexible chiral unit in the backbone were prepared from a chiral synthesized diacid monomer, 5-(3-methyl-2-phthalimidylpentanoylamino)isophthalic acid (1), and various aromatic diols via the polyesterification reaction. The tosyl chloride/pyridine/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) system was used as a condensing agent. All of the these polymers having bulky phthalimido and amino acid functionalities in the side chain showed excellent solubility and readily dissolved in various solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylacetamide and DMF. Since, these chiral polymers have natural amino acids in the polymer architecture, they are expected to be biodegradable and therefore may be ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353698 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353709&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213438%26dopt%3DAbstract This study determined effects of dietary supplementation with L: -arginine (Arg) or N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on intestinal health and growth in early-weaned pigs. Eighty-four Landrace x Yorkshire pigs (average body weight of 5.56 +/- 0.07 kg; weaned at 21 days of age) were fed for 7 days one of the three isonitrogenous diets: (1) a corn- and soybean meal-based diet (CSM), (2) CSM + 0.08% NCG (0.08%), and (3) CSM + 0.6% Arg. There were four pens of pigs per diet (7 pigs/pen). At the end of a 7-day feeding period, six piglets were randomly selected from each treatment for tissue collections. Compared with the control group, Arg or NCG supplementation increased (P < 0.05): (1) Arg concentrations in plasma, (2) small-intestinal growth, (3) villus height in duodenum, jejunum and ileum, (4) ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353709 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353708&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213439%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ahmed KA, Sawa T, Akaike T Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous free radical that is synthesized in organisms by nitric oxide synthases, participates in a critical fashion in the regulation of diverse physiological functions such as vascular and neuronal signal transduction, host defense, and cell death regulation. Two major pathways of NO signaling involve production of the second messenger guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and posttranslational modification (PTM) of redox-sensitive cysteine thiols of proteins. We recently clarified the physiological formation of 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP) as the first demonstration, since the discovery of cGMP more than 40 years ago, of a new second messenger derived from cGMP in mammals. 8-Nitro-cGMP is ele... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353708 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353705&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213442%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tamura W, Hidaka Y, Tabuchi M, Kojima S, Hayakawa T, Sato T, Obara M, Kojima M, Sakakibara H, Yamaya T Rice plants grown in anaerobic paddy soil prefer to use ammonium ion as an inorganic nitrogen source for their growth. The ammonium ions are assimilated by the coupled reaction of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT). In rice, there is a small gene family for GOGAT: there are two NADH-dependent types and one ferredoxin (Fd)-dependent type. Fd-GOGAT is important in the re-assimilation of photorespiratorily generated ammonium ions in chloroplasts. Although cell-type and age-dependent expression of two NADH-GOGAT genes has been well characterized, metabolic function of individual gene product is not fully understood. Reverse genetics approach is a direct way ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353705 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353704&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213443%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cartini F, Remelli W, Dos Santos PC, Papenbrock J, Pagani S, Forlani F Mobilization of the L: -cysteine sulfur for the persulfuration of the rhodanese of Azotobacter vinelandii, RhdA, can be mediated by the A. vinelandii cysteine desulfurases, IscS and NifS. The amount of cysteine was higher in mutant strains lacking rhdA (MV474) than in wild type. The diazotrophic growth of MV474 was impaired. Taking into account the functional results about rhodanese-like proteins and RhdA itself, it is suggested that RhdA-dependent modulation of L: -cysteine levels must deal with a redox-related process. PMID: 20213443 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353704 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353701&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213446%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Varshney A, Ahmad B, Rabbani G, Kumar V, Yadav S, Khan RH Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) is widely used as an immune stimulant and hapten carrier derived from a marine mollusc Megathura crenulata. To provide details of the stability and equilibrium of KLH, different intermediate species were investigated with a series of biophysical techniques: circular dichroism, binding of hydrophobic dye, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonic acid, acrylamide-induced fluorescence quenching, thermal stability and dynamic light scattering. KLH in its native state at pH 7.4 exists in the stable didecameric form with hydrodynamic radii (R (h)) of 28.22 nm, which is approximately equal to a molecular mass of 8.8 +/- 0.6 MDa. The experimental results demonstrated the presence of two structurally dist... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353701 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353707&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu Y, Ren C, Gao Y, Hou B, Chen T, Zhang C The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein, a member of the protein transduction domain (PTD) superfamily, can deliver heterologous proteins across most biomembranes without losing bioactivity. However, there is no report on whether the TAT core domain containing the sequence 'YGRKKRRQRRR' has other functions. As the TAT core domain is most basic (pI = 12.8) and has biomembrane crossing ability, we hypothesized it might probably influence the protein expression level due to subcellular redistribution of target proteins in the cells. To address this issue, we constructed the prokaryotic expression vector pET28b-TAT-EGFP (using the vector pET28b-EGFP for control) containing the core dom... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353707 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353706&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213441%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is the first to demonstrate an important role of amino acids in combination with insulin in the molecular regulation of hepatic metabolism. PMID: 20213441 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353706 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353703&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213444%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goyette J, Geczy CL This review focuses on new aspects of extracellular roles of the calgranulins. S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 are constitutively expressed in neutrophils and induced in several cell types. The S100A8 and S100A9 genes are regulated by pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and their functions may depend on cell type, mediators within a particular inflammatory milieu, receptors involved in their recognition and their post-translational modification. The S100A8 gene induction in macrophages is dependent on IL-10 and potentiated by immunosuppressive agents. S100A8 and S100A9 are oxidized by peroxide, hypochlorite and nitric oxide (NO). HOCl generates intra-chain sulfinamide bonds; stronger oxidation promotes cross-linked forms that are seen in human atheroma. S100A8 ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353703 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353702&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213445%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Prus W, Filipek A Sgt1 was originally identified in yeast as a suppressor of the Skp1 protein. Later, it was found that Sgt1 is present in plant and mammalian organisms and that it binds other ligands such as S100A6, a calcium-binding protein. In this work we show that in HEp-2 cells Sgt1 translocates to the nucleus due to heat shock. We also found that in HEp-2 cells with diminished level of S100A6, due to stable transfection with siRNA against S100A6, such translocation occurred at a much smaller scale in comparison with cells expressing a normal level of S100A6. Moreover, translocation of Sgt1 was observed in HEp-2 cells treated with thapsigargin instead of heat shock. In contrast thapsigargin was ineffective in cells with diminished level of S100A6. Thus, our results sugge... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353702 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353700&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213447%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Melino S, Sabelli R, Paci M Natural organosulfur compounds (OSCs) have been shown to have chemopreventive effects and to suppress the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro through the induction of apoptosis. The biochemical mechanisms underlying the antitumorigenic and anti-proliferative effects of garlic-derived OSCs are not fully understood. Several modes of action of these compounds have been proposed, and it seems likely that the rate of clearance of allyl sulfur groups from cells is a determinant of the overall response. The aim of this review is to focus attention on the effects of natural allyl sulfur compounds on the cell detoxification system in normal and tumor cells. It has been already reported that several natural allyl sulfur compounds induce chemopreventive effe... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353700 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353700 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3353699&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20213448%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Martelli G, Orena M, Rinaldi S, Sabatino P The N-tosyl carbamates 4a-e, easily prepared starting from the Baylis-Hillman adducts 3a-e, underwent cyclization carried out with I(2)/NIS in the presence of NaH, to give the corresponding 2-oxo-1,3-oxazolidines 5a-e in good yield and total stereoselection when the substituent at C-5 is Ar. After the removal of tosyl group, followed by the cleavage of the heterocyclic ring, the alpha-methyl-alpha-amino acids 8a,b and 10 were obtained in good yield as hydrochlorides. PMID: 20213448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3353699 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3353699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339918&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204431%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu KN, Wang HY, Chen CY, Wang SS This work examines the effects of L: -arginine (L: -Arg) on the aggregation and amyloid fibrillation of bovine serum albumin (BSA). We demonstrate that L: -Arg dose-dependently reduces thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence of BSA within the L: -Arg concentration range used (0-1.4 M). However, as revealed by electron microscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and dynamic light scattering results, L: -Arg does not prevent amyloid-like fibril formation by BSA. We conclude that L: -Arg competes against ThT for binding sites on BSA amyloid-like fibrils, leading to biased results in ThT fluorescence measurements. Moreover, the use of ThT fluorescence assay to screen for potential inhibitors against amyloid fibrillation can give misleading results. PMI... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339918 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339916&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204433%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cruickshank MN, Besant P, Ulgiati D Eukaryotic genomic DNA is orderly compacted to fit into the nucleus and to inhibit accessibility of specific sequences. DNA is manipulated in many different ways by bound RNA and proteins within the composite material known as chromatin. All of the biological processes that require access to genomic DNA (such as replication, recombination and transcription) therefore are dependent on the precise characteristics of chromatin in eukaryotes. This distinction underlies a fundamental property of eukaryotic versus prokaryotic gene regulation such that chromatin structure must be regulated to precisely repress or relieve repression of particular regions of the genome in an appropriate spatio-temporal manner. As well as playing a key role in structu... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339916 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339914&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204435%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lehmann S, Funck D, Szabados L, Rentsch D Proline fulfils diverse functions in plants. As amino acid it is a structural component of proteins, but it also plays a role as compatible solute under environmental stress conditions. Proline metabolism involves several subcellular compartments and contributes to the redox balance of the cell. Proline synthesis has been associated with tissues undergoing rapid cell divisions, such as shoot apical meristems, and appears to be involved in floral transition and embryo development. High levels of proline can be found in pollen and seeds, where it serves as compatible solute, protecting cellular structures during dehydration. The proline concentrations of cells, tissues and plant organs are regulated by the interplay of biosynthesis, degr... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339914 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339917&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204432%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Roviello GN, Crescenzo C, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Franco S, Bucci EM, Pedone C In this work, we report the synthesis of a novel Fmoc-protected nucleoaminoacid, based on 4-piperidinyl glycine, carrying the DNA nucleobase on the secondary amino group, suitable for the solid-phase synthesis of nucleopeptides. After ESI-MS and NMR characterization this building block was used for the assembly of a thymine-functionalized tetrapeptide, composed of 4-piperidinyl glycine and L: -arginine moieties alternated in the backbone. The ability to interact with RNA and the efficiency in interfering with the reverse transcription of eukaryotic mRNA of the novel nucleo-tetrapeptide found in this study are in favour of the employment of chiral nucleopeptides based on alternate 4-piperidinyl glyc... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339917 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339915&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204434%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tsoporis JN, Mohammadzadeh F, Parker TG S100B, a calcium-binding protein of the EF-hand type exerts both intracellular and extracellular functions. S100B is induced in the myocardium of human subjects and an experimental rat model following myocardial infarction. Forced expression of S100B in neonatal rat myocyte cultures, and high level expression of S100B in transgenic mice hearts and aortic smooth muscle cells inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and the associated phenotype, arterial smooth muscle proliferation, respectively, but demonstrate increased apoptosis following alpha(1)-adrenergic stimulation or myocardial infarction. Knocking out S100B, augmented hypertrophy, decreased apoptosis and preserved cardiac function following myocardial infarction. S100B induces apoptosis by an... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339915 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339913&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204436%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park YJ, Jang Y, Kwon YH Previously, we reported that isoflavones exert a protective effect against the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated neuronal degeneration, and ER stress-mediated homocysteine toxicity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) against homocysteine-mediated neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The treatment of cells with either 17beta-estradiol or isoflavones significantly protected the cells against homocysteine-mediated apoptosis. Isoflavones repressed homocysteine-mediated ER stress, reflected in the reduced expression of the immunoglobin heavy chain-binding protein mRNA, spliced X-box-protein-1 mRNA and the phos... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339913 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339912&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20204437%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Głowacki R, Bald E, Jakubowski H Homocysteine (Hcy) is incorporated into protein via a reaction of the thioester Hcy-thiolactone with epsilon-amino group of a protein lysine residue generating N-Hcy-protein. This reaction impairs and alters protein's function and has been implicated in atherothrombotic disease. Here, we describe new high-performance liquid chromatography assays for the determination of Hcy-thiolactone, protein N-linked Hcy, and Hcy based on an on-column derivatization with o-phthaldialdehyde and fluorescence detection. The on-column derivatization generates narrow peaks, which allows fast run times (3-5 min) and facilitates determination of N-linked Hcy directly from acid hydrolysates of plasma protein. Utility of these assays was demonstrated with human... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339912 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3339912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3336001&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20198492%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Monincová L, Buděšínský M, Slaninová J, Hovorka O, Cvačka J, Voburka Z, Fučík V, Borovičková L, Bednárová L, Straka J, Ceřovský V Two novel antimicrobial peptides, named halictines, were isolated from the venom of the eusocial bee Halictus sexcinctus. Their primary sequences were established by ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry, Edman degradation and enzymatic digestion as Gly-Met-Trp-Ser-Lys-Ile-Leu-Gly-His-Leu-Ile-Arg-NH(2) (HAL-1), and Gly-Lys-Trp-Met-Ser-Leu-Leu-Lys-His-Ile-Leu-Lys-NH(2) (HAL-2). Both peptides exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but also noticeable hemolytic activity. The CD spectra of HAL-1 and HAL-2 measured in the presence of tr... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3336001 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3336001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3336000&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20198493%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li J, Hosseini Moghaddam SH, Chen X, Chen M, Zhong B Insect head is comprised of important sensory systems to communicate with internal and external environment and endocrine organs such as brain and corpus allatum to regulate insect growth and development. To comprehensively understand how all these components act and interact within the head, it is necessary to investigate their molecular basis at protein level. Here, the spectra of peptides digested from silkworm larval heads were obtained from liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and were analyzed by bioinformatics methods. Totally, 539 proteins with a low false discovery rate (FDR) were identified by searching against an in-house database with SEQUEST and X!Tandem algorithms followed by trans-proteomi... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3336000 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3336000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335999&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20198494%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Roosenburg S, Laverman P, van Delft FL, Boerman OC Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors are overexpressed in numerous human cancers, like medullary thyroid carcinomas, small cell lung cancers and stromal ovarian cancers. The specific receptor-binding property of the endogenous ligands for these receptors can be exploited by labeling peptides with a radionuclide and using these as carriers to guide the radioactivity to the tissues that express the receptors. In this way, tumors can be visualized using positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography imaging. A variety of radiolabeled CCK/gastrin-related peptides has been synthesized and characterized for imaging. All peptides have the C-terminal CCK receptor-binding tetrapeptide sequence Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335999 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3335999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327913&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20195660%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ferreira PM, Monteiro LS, Pereira G Several new beta,beta-dihalo and beta-halo-beta-substituted dehydroalanines and dehydrodipeptides were synthesized by reacting the corresponding dehydroamino acid derivative with a N-halosuccinimide or in the case of beta,beta-di-iododehydroalanines with iodine. The results obtained confirmed that the stereochemical outcome of the halogenation reaction with beta-substituted dehydroamino acids depends on the substrate. Thus, an increase Z-stereoselectivity was found when the beta-phenyldehydroalanines were used as substrates and when these compounds were N-protected with 4-tolylsulfonyl or with carbamates. From this study, it is also possible to conclude that when N-iodosuccinimide was used as reagent a much higher Z-stereoselectivity is foun... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327913 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3327913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327915&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20195658%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stipanuk MH, Simmons CR, Andrew Karplus P, Dominy JE Proteins in the cupin superfamily have a wide range of biological functions in archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes. Although proteins in the cupin superfamily show very low overall sequence similarity, they all contain two short but partially conserved cupin sequence motifs separated by a less conserved intermotif region that varies both in length and amino acid sequence. Furthermore, these proteins all share a common architecture described as a six-stranded beta-barrel core, and this canonical cupin or "jelly roll" beta-barrel is formed with cupin motif 1, the intermotif region, and cupin motif 2 each forming two of the core six beta-strands in the folded protein structure. The recently obtained crystal structures of cysteine ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327915 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3327915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327914&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20195659%26dopt%3DAbstract We report a study, using fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies, evaluating the influence of these two parameters on the lytic activities of five mastoparans in zwitterionic and anionic phospholipid vesicles. Four of these peptides, extracted from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista, present both acidic and basic residues with net charges ranging from +1 to +3 which were compared to Mastoparan-X with three basic residues and net charge +4. Previous studies revealed that these peptides have moderate-to-strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms and some of them are hemolytic. Their affinity and lytic activity in zwitterionic vesicles decrease with the net electrical charges and the dose response curves are more cooperative for ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327914 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3327914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327917&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20191297%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, S100A4 and p53 were shown to be colocalized in individual nuclei of CRC cells, and it might be speculated whether the proteins interact in this subcellular compartment. PMID: 20191297 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327917 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3327917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3327916&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20191298%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kimura H Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), which is a well-known toxic gas, has been recognized as a signal molecule as well as a cytoprotectant. It is produced by three enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthase, cystathionine gamma-lyase and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase along with cysteine aminotransferase. In addition to an immediate release of H(2)S from producing enzymes, it can be stored as bound sulfane sulfur, which may release H(2)S in response to physiological stimuli. As a signal molecule, it modulates neuronal transmission, relaxes smooth muscle, regulates release of insulin and is involved in inflammation. Because of its reputation as a toxic gas, the function as a cytoprotectant has been overlooked: the nervous system and cardiovascular system are protected from oxidat... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3327916 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3327916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3315348&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20186553%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pugalenthi G, Kandaswamy KK, Suganthan PN, Archunan G, Sowdhamini R Lipocalins are functionally diverse proteins that are composed of 120-180 amino acid residues. Members of this family have several important biological functions including ligand transport, cryptic coloration, sensory transduction, endonuclease activity, stress response activity in plants, odorant binding, prostaglandin biosynthesis, cellular homeostasis regulation, immunity, immunotherapy and so on. Identification of lipocalins from protein sequence is more challenging due to the poor sequence identity which often falls below the twilight zone. So far, no specific method has been reported to identify lipocalins from primary sequence. In this paper, we report a support vector machine (SVM) approach to predict ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3315348 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3315348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3315347&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20186554%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Joshi V, Joung JG, Fei Z, Jander G Pathways regulating threonine, methionine and isoleucine metabolism are very efficiently interconnected in plants. As both threonine and methionine serve as substrates for isoleucine synthesis, their synthesis and catabolism under different developmental and environmental conditions also influence isoleucine availability. Together, methionine gamma-lyase and threonine deaminase maintain the isoleucine equilibrium in plants under varied substrate availabilities. Isoleucine and the two other branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) (leucine and valine) share four common enzymes in their biosynthesis pathways and thus are coordinately regulated. Induction of free amino acids as osmolytes in response to abiotic stress is thought to play a role in plant... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3315347 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3315347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3315346&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20186555%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fan JF, Tang M, Qiao LG, Liu J, He LJ The influences of water solvent on the structures and stabilities of the complex ion conformers formed by the coordination of alanine dipeptide (AD) and Na(+) have been investigated using supramolecular and polarizable continuum solvation models at the level of B3LYP/6-311++G**, respectively; 12 monohydrated and 12 dihydrated structures of Na(+)-AD complex ion were obtained after full geometrical optimization. The results showed that H(2)O molecules easily bind with Na(+) of Na(+)-AD complex ion, forming an ion-lone pair interaction with the Na-O bond length of 2.1-2.3 A. Besides, H(2)O molecules also can form hydrogen bonds O(W)-H(W)...O(1), O(W)-H(W)...O(2), N(1)-H(1)...O(W) or N(2)-H(2)...O(W) with O or N groups of the Na(+)-AD backbone... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3315346 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3315346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3309264&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20182755%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schneider G, Filipek A The CacyBP/SIP protein (S100A6 binding protein and Siah-1 interacting protein) was originally discovered in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells as a S100A6 (calcyclin) target (Filipek and Wojda in Biochem J 320:585-587, 1996; Filipek and Kuźnicki in J Neurochem 70(5):1793-1798, 1998) and later on as a Siah-1 interacting protein (Matsuzawa and Reed in Mol Cell 7(5):915-926, 2001). CacyBP/SIP binds several target proteins such as some calcium binding proteins of the S100 family (Filipek et al. in J Biol Chem 277(32):28848-28852, 2002), Skp1 (Matsuzawa and Reed in Mol Cell 7(5):915-926, 2001), tubulin (Schneider et al. in Biochim Biophys Acta 1773(11):1628-1636, 2007) and ERK1/2 (Kilanczyk et al. in Biochem Biophys Res Commun 380:54-59, 2009). Studies concern... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3309264 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3309264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302725&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20177945%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vetter I, Davis JL, Rash LD, Anangi R, Mobli M, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ, King GF The remarkable potency and pharmacological diversity of animal venoms has made them an increasingly valuable source of lead molecules for drug and insecticide discovery. Nevertheless, most of the chemical diversity encoded within these venoms remains uncharacterized, despite decades of research, in part because of the small quantities of venom available. However, recent advances in the miniaturization of bioassays and improvements in the sensitivity of mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy have allowed unprecedented access to the molecular diversity of animal venoms. Here, we discuss these technological developments in the context of establishing a high-throughput pipeline for venoms-based drug disc... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302725 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302724&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20177946%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brigatte P, Cury Y, de Souza BM, Baptista-Saidemberg NB, Saidemberg DM, Gutierrez VP, Palma MS Stings by bees and wasps, including Brazilian species, are a severe public health problem. The local reactions observed after the envenoming includes typical inflammatory response and pain. Several studies have been performed to identify the substances, including peptides that are responsible for such phenomena. The aim of the present study is to characterize the possible nociceptive (hyperalgesic) and edematogenic effects of some peptides isolated from the venoms of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) and the social wasps Polybia paulista and Protonectarina sylveirae, in addition to characterize some of the mechanisms involved in these phenomena. For this purpose, different doses of the p... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302724 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302723&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20177947%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nagahara N Recently, redox-regulated biological reactions have been elucidated. In the regulation of these reactions, redox-sensing molecular switches function as unique biological machineries that modulate the functional proteins present in enzymes, transcriptional factors, sensor proteins, and transcriptional factor modulators. The redox-sensing cysteine residues and the disulfide bond formed between these cysteine residues serve as redox-sensing molecular switches; these switches sense cellular oxidizing factors such as oxygen, reactive oxygen species, and cellular reducing factors such as thioredoxin (Trx), glutathione (GSH), and their family molecules. Depending on the redox status, the switch directly modulates the protein function via the "locking and unlocking" of the ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302723 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302722&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20177948%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Berge G, Mælandsmo GM Metastasis is a complex cascade of events involving a finely tuned interplay between malignant cells and multiple host factors. The transition from benign tumor growth to malignancy is manifested by the ability of tumor cells to traverse tissue barriers and invade surrounding tissues. Among a multitude of factors playing a role, the small calcium-binding protein S100A4 has been found to add to the invasive and metastatic capacity of cancer cells. However, the exact molecular function or mechanism by which S100A4 exerts its putative metastasis-promoting effects has not been fully elucidated, and the protein is most likely involved in several aspects of tumor progression. Several studies have recently described a direct interaction and/or reciprocal in... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302722 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302727&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20174841%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mazzoli R, Pessione E, Dufour M, Laroute V, Giuffrida MG, Giunta C, Cocaign-Bousquet M, Loubière P GABA is a molecule of increasing nutraceutical interest due to its modulatory activity on the central nervous system and smooth muscle relaxation. Potentially probiotic bacteria can produce it by glutamate decarboxylation, but nothing is known about the physiological modifications occurring at the microbial level during GABA production. In the present investigation, a GABA-producing Lactococcus lactis strain grown in a medium supplemented with or without glutamate was studied using a combined transcriptome/proteome analysis. A tenfold increase in GABA production in the glutamate medium was observed only during the stationary phase and at low pH. About 30 genes and/or protein... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302727 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302726&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20174842%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miao Z, Levi J, Cheng Z Protein scaffold molecules are powerful reagents for targeting various cell signal receptors, enzymes, cytokines and other cancer-related molecules. They belong to the peptide and small protein platform with distinct properties. For the purpose of development of new generation molecular probes, various protein scaffold molecules have been labeled with imaging moieties and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Among the evaluated probes Affibody molecules and analogs, cystine knot peptides, and nanobodies have shown especially good characteristics as protein scaffold platforms for development of in vivo molecular probes. Quantitative data obtained from positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography/CT, and optical imaging togethe... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302726 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3302726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291251&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20169373%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigate the effect of zinc on different variants of 18.5 kDa MBP, including new recombinant forms lacking hexahistidine tags which would interfere with the binding of the cation. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed the dissociation constant to be in the micromolar range for all variants. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that there was minimal effect of zinc on the secondary structure on MBP in aqueous solution. When MBP was reconstituted with myelin-mimetic membranes, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that there was a rearrangement of secondary structure components upon addition of zinc that was subtly different for each variant, indicative of a synergistic protein-membrane-cation interaction. PMID: 20169373 [P... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291251 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291250&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20169374%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu TW, Chen J, Zheng G Peptide-based molecular beacons are Förster resonance energy transfer-based target-activatable probes. They offer control of fluorescence emission in response to specific cancer targets and thus are useful tools for in vivo cancer imaging. With our increasing knowledge about human genome in health and disease, peptide-based "smart" probes are continually developed for in vivo optical imaging of specific molecular targets, biological pathways and cancer progression and diagnosis. A class of fluorescent photosensitizers further extends the application of peptide beacons to cancer therapeutics. This review highlights the applications of peptide beacons in cancer imaging, the simultaneous treatment and response monitoring and smart therapeutics with a ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291250 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291249&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20169375%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bjelaković G, Stojanović I, Jevtović Stoimenov T, Pavlović D, Kocić G, Rossi S, Tabolacci C, Nikolić J, Sokolović D, Bjelakovic L Glucocorticoid hormones (GC) are essential in all aspects of human health and disease. Their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties are reasons for therapeutic application in several diseases. GC suppress immune activation and uncontrolled overproduction and release of cytokines. GC inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Investigation of GC's mechanism of action, suggested that polyamines (PA) may act as mediators or messengers of their effects. Beside glucocorticoids, spermine (Spm) is one of endogenous inhibitors of cytokin... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291249 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291248&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20169376%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Niederhafner P, Gut V, Ježek J, Buděšínský M, Kašička V, Wünsch E, Hlaváček J Synthetic study on cystinyl peptides using solution and solid phase methodology was carried out with the central hinge region of immunoglobulin IgG1. In the solid phase synthesis of hexadecapeptide 1c, the time necessary for the formation of disulfide bonds between linear precursors was shortened four times by the action of pure oxygen in buffered solution, in comparison with air oxidation. The product was thus obtained devoid of impurities from side reactions. In the preparation of the shortened bis-cystinyl analogs 2k and 3d of the natural hexadecapeptide 1c, both the classical and polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) solution methods were utilized u... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291248 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291252&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20165918%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen P, Liu C, Burge L, Li J, Mohammad M, Southerland W, Gloster C, Wang B Protein domains are structural and fundamental functional units of proteins. The information of protein domain boundaries is helpful in understanding the evolution, structures and functions of proteins, and also plays an important role in protein classification. In this paper, we propose a support vector regression-based method to address the problem of protein domain boundary identification based on novel input profiles extracted from AAindex database. As a result, our method achieves an average sensitivity of approximately 36.5% and an average specificity of approximately 81% for multi-domain protein chains, which is overall better than the performance of published approaches to identify domain bounda... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291252 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3291252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3284523&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20162307%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fang Z, Yao K, Zhang X, Zhao S, Sun Z, Tian G, Yu B, Lin Y, Zhu B, Jia G, Zhang K, Chen D, Wu D Sulfur amino acids (SAA), particularly methionine and cysteine, are critical for the gut to maintain its functions including the digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients, the immune surveillance of the intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the mucosal response to foreign antigens. However, the metabolism of SAA in the gut, specifically the transmethylation of methionine, will result in a net release of homocysteine, which is shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. Furthermore, the extensive catabolism of dietary methionine by the intestine or by luminal microbes may result in a decrease in nutritional efficiency. Therefore, the regulation of S... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3284523 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3284523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3276554&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20155429%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gibadulinova A, Tothova V, Pastorek J, Pastorekova S S100P is an EF-hand calcium-binding protein that was originally identified in placenta and subsequently associated with cancer. It is a member of S100 family of proteins that function as extracellular and/or intracellular regulators of diverse cellular processes and participate in various human pathologies. S100P expression was detected in a spectrum of human tumor cell lines and tissues derived from breast, prostate, pancreas, lung and colon, where it was connected with malignant phenotype, hormone independence and resistance to chemotherapy. Overexpression of S100P was shown to promote tumorigenesis and metastasis in diverse cancer models. Functional studies of S100P indicate that its biological activities are exerted thro... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3276554 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3276554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3276555&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20155291%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wróbel M, Ubuka T, Ubuka S PMID: 20155291 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3276555 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3276555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267684&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20148342%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park D, Choi SS, Ha KS Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that can function as a transglutaminase, G protein, kinase, protein disulfide isomerase, and as an adaptor protein. These multiple biochemical activities of TG2 account for, at least in part, its involvement in a wide variety of cellular processes encompassing differentiation, cell death, inflammation, cell migration, and wound healing. The individual biochemical activities of TG2 are regulated by several cellular factors, including calcium, nucleotides, and redox potential, which vary depending on its subcellular location. Thus, the microenvironments of the subcellular compartments to which TG2 localizes, such as the cytosol, plasma membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, or extracellular space, are importa... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267684 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3267684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261759&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20145959%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stiuso P, Giuberti G, Lombardi A, Dicitore A, Limongelli V, Cartenì M, Abbruzzese A, Caraglia M We previously demonstrated that the gamma-glutamyl 16 amine derivative of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) acts as structural VIP agonist with affinity and potency higher than VIP. Herein, we have evaluated the effects of VIP and gamma-Gln16-diaminopropane derivative of VIP (VIP-DAP3) on the proliferation and protection from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on epidermoid carcinoma cell lines. We have found that 10(-11) M VIP-DAP3 completely antagonized the inhibition induced by H(2)O(2) on both cell proliferation and S-phase distribution while these effects were only partially antagonized by equimolar concentrations of VIP. Moreover, both oxidative st... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261759 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261761&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20143113%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mikolasch A, Hahn V, Manda K, Pump J, Illas N, Gördes D, Lalk M, Gesell Salazar M, Hammer E, Jülich WD, Rawer S, Thurow K, Lindequist U, Schauer F In order to design potential biomaterials, we investigated the laccase-catalyzed cross-linking between L: -lysine or lysine-containing peptides and dihydroxylated aromatics. L: -Lysine is one of the major components of naturally occurring mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs). Dihydroxylated aromatics are structurally related to 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L: -alanine, another main component of MAPs. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses show that the epsilon-amino group of L: -lysine is able to cross-link dihydroxylated aromatics. Additional oligomer and polymer cross-linked products were obtained from di- and oligo... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261761 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261760&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20143114%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guanti G, Banfi L, Basso A, Bondanza L, Guglieri G, Powles K, Riva R The synthesis of phosphatidyl serine containing saturated fatty acids was thoroughly studied and optimized in order to establish a protocol amenable to large-scale synthesis. The key step was a one-pot multicomponent reaction involving an O-benzyl phosphorodiamidite, protected serine and diacylglycerol, followed by in situ oxidation of the resulting phosphite. In order to replace expensive and poorly stable tetrazole, a screening of substitutes was carried out and imidazolium chloride was selected as the best suited one. PMID: 20143114 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261760 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261765&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140687%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lu M, Cao X, Yang X, Zheng H, Liu N, Jiang Y, Lin D, Chen Y Proteins can refold from thermal-induced denaturation. Apo-diketoreductase exhibited a unique refolding profile, in which the degree of refolding from higher temperature was more complete. Partial aggregation and structural change may provide possible explanation on this phenomenon. PMID: 20140687 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261765 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261764&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140688%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rajasekaran R, Sethumadhavan R In this work, we computationally identified the most detrimental missense mutations of KIT receptor causing gastrointestinal stromal tumors and analyzed the drug resistance of these missense mutations. Out of 31 missense mutations, 19 variants were commonly found less stable, deleterious and damaging by I-Mutant 2.0, SIFT and PolyPhen programs, respectively. Subsequently, we performed modeling of these 19 variants to understand their change in conformations with respect to native KIT receptor by computing their RMSD. Further, the native and 19 mutants were docked with the drug 'Imatinib' to explain the drug resistance of these detrimental missense mutations. Among the 19 mutants, we found by docking studies that 12 mutants, namely, F584C, F584L, ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261764 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261763&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140689%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Austin CJ, Mailu BM, Maghzal GJ, Sanchez-Perez A, Rahlfs S, Zocher K, Yuasa HJ, Arthur JW, Becker K, Stocker R, Hunt NH, Ball HJ The first step in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism is the cleavage of the 2,3-double bond of the indole ring of tryptophan. In mammals, this reaction is performed independently by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) and the recently discovered indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 (IDO2). Here we describe characteristics of a purified recombinant mouse IDO2 enzyme, including its pH stability, thermal stability and structural features. An improved assay system for future studies of recombinant/isolated IDO2 has been developed using cytochrome b (5) as an electron donor. This, the first description of the inter... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261763 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261762&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140690%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kuhn-Nentwig L, Willems J, Seebeck T, Shalaby T, Kaiser M, Nentwig W Cupiennin 1a, a cytolytic peptide isolated from the venom of the spider Cupiennius salei, exhibits broad membranolytic activity towards bacteria, trypanosomes, and plasmodia, as well as human blood and cancer cells. In analysing the cytolytic activity of synthesised all-D: - and all-L: -cupiennin 1a towards pro- and eukaryotic cells, a stereospecific mode of membrane destruction could be excluded. The importance of negatively charged sialic acids on the outer leaflet of erythrocytes for the binding and haemolytic activity of L: -cupiennin 1a was demonstrated. Reducing the overall negative charges of erythrocytes by partially removing their sialic acids or by protecting them with tri- or pentalysine results in... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261762 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261767&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140468%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, microarray analysis and suppressive subtraction hybridization were used to identify differentially expressed genes in the roots of maritime pine exposed to changes in ammonium availability. A total of 225 unigenes that were differentially regulated by changes in ammonium nutrition were identified. Most of the unigenes were classified into seven functional categories by comparison with sequences deposited in the databases. A significant proportion of these genes were encoded for ammonium-regulated proteins of unknown functions. The differential expression of selected candidate genes was further validated in plants subjected to ammonium excess/deficiency. The transcript levels of representative genes were compared in maritime pine roots, 1, 15 and 35 days after nutritional tre... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261767 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3261766&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20140469%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Amir R Methionine is a nutritionally essential, sulfur-containing amino acid found in low levels in plants, which often limits its value as a source of dietary protein to humans and animals. Methionine is also a fundamental metabolite in plant cells since, through its first metabolite, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), it controls the level of several key metabolites, such as ethylene, polyamines and biotin. SAM is also the primary methyl group donor that regulates different processes in plants. Despite its nutritional and regulatory significance, the factors regulating methionine content in plants are not fully known. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and recent progress made in our understanding of the methionine metabolism. The enzymes and substrates that regulat... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3261766 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3261766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248832&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20135152%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fonseca AS, Gonçalves MS, Costa SP In order to evaluate the application of quinolone as a new photocleavable protecting group, in comparison with coumarin, a series of model phenylalanine conjugates were prepared by reaction with chloromethylated O and N heterocycles. The photophysical properties of the resulting ester conjugates were evaluated as well as the photosensitivity under irradiation at 250, 300, 350, and 419 nm. The results obtained showed that the quinolone conjugates were readily photolysed, with complete release of the amino acid in short irradiation times and could be considered a new addition to the family of photocleavable protecting groups for the carboxylic acid function of amino acids. PMID: 20135152 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Ami... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248832 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3248832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248831&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20135153%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Papenbrock J, Guretzki S, Henne M Sulfurtransferases/rhodaneses (Str) comprise a group of enzymes widely distributed in all phyla which catalyze in vitro the transfer of a sulfur atom from suitable sulfur donors to nucleophilic sulfur acceptors. The best characterized Str is bovine rhodanese (EC 2.8.1.1) which catalyses in vitro the transfer of a sulfane sulfur atom from thiosulfate to cyanide, leading to the formation of sulfite and thiocyanate. Plants as well as other organisms contain many proteins carrying a typical rhodanese pattern or domain forming multi-protein families (MPF). Despite the presence of Str activities in many living organisms, the physiological role of the members of this MPF has not been established unambiguously. While in mammals these proteins are invo... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248831 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3248831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244526&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20130939%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Real-Fernández F, Nuti F, Bonache MA, Boccalini M, Chimichi S, Chelli M, Papini AM The synthesis of N-protected glycosyl amino acids from amines has been investigated and it was found that, under microwave conditions, glycosylamines could be hydrolyzed leading to new products containing a glycosyl ester linkage. The efficiency of the microwave-induced glycosylation of aspartic acid was studied comparing the microwave activity between amide and ester bond formation. Different sugar moieties have been employed to demonstrate the simple and reproducible coupling methodology. New glycosyl ester compounds were further characterized by NMR spectroscopy. PMID: 20130939 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244526 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3244526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244528&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20127262%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was conducted with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged piglet model to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) on the intestinal morphology and function. Eighteen 24-day-old pigs (weaned at 21 days of age) were assigned randomly to control, LPS, and LPS + AKG groups. The piglets in the control and LPS groups were fed a corn- and soybean meal-based diet, whereas the LPS + AKG group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 1% AKG. On days 10, 12, 14, and 16, piglets in the LPS and LPS + AKG groups received intraperitoneal administration of LPS (80 mug/kg BW), whereas piglets in the control group received the same volume of saline. On day 16, D: -xylose was orally administrated to all pigs at the dose of 0.1 g/kg BW, 2 h after LPS or sali... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244528 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3244528 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244527&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20127263%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang L, Wu LY, Wang Y, Zhang XS, Chen L Protein structure alignment algorithms play an important role in the studies of protein structure and function. In this paper, a novel approach for structure alignment is presented. Specifically, core regions in two protein structures are first aligned by identifying connected components in a network of neighboring geometrically compatible aligned fragment pairs. The initial alignments then are refined through a multi-objective optimization method. The algorithm can produce both sequential and non-sequential alignments. We show the superior performance of the proposed algorithm by the computational experiments on several benchmark datasets and the comparisons with the well-known structure alignment algorithms such as DALI, CE and MATT. T... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244527 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3244527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223851&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20112035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Espe M, Rathore RM, Du ZY, Liaset B, El-Mowafi A The current experiment aimed to study whether interactions with lipid metabolism possibly might explain the relative increased liver weight obtained in fish fed sub-optimal methionine levels. A basal diet based on a blend of plant proteins which is low in methionine (1.6 g Met/16 g N) was compared to a methionine adequate diet (2.2 g Met/16 g N) prepared by adding DL: -methionine (2.4 g/kg) to the basal diet in the expense of wheat grain. Fish oil was used as the lipid source. The diets were balanced in all nutrients except methionine. The diets were fed to Atlantic salmon (500 g BW) for a period of 3 months. Feed intake did not differ, rendering the intake of all nutrients except methionine equal. Fish fed the low methionine di... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223851 Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3223851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223852&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20112034%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tucholski J Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional member of the transglutaminase (TGase) family (E.C.2.3.2.13), which catalyzes in a calcium-dependent reaction the formation of covalent bonds between the gamma-carboxamide groups of peptide-bound glutamine residues and various primary amines. Here, we investigated the role of TG2 in a response of the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide, known to trigger DNA-damage cell response. We found an early and transient (~2 h) increase of the TG2 protein in SH-SY5Y cells treated with etoposide, along with the increase of phosphorylated and total levels of the p53 protein. Next, we showed that SH-SY5Y cells, which overexpress wild-type TG2 were significantly protected against etoposide-induced ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223852 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3223852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217544&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108158%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: de Souza BM, Dos Santos Cabrera MP, Neto JR, Palma MS In order to investigate the effect of the different positions of the positive charges generated by the ionization of the side-chain of lysine residues, on the structure-activity relationship of the mastoparans, the peptides Protonectarina-MP (INWKALLDAAKKVL-NH2), Parapolybia-MP (INWKKMAATALKMI-NH2) and Asn-2-Polybia-MP I (INWKKLLDAAKQIL-NH2) and MK-578 (INWLKAKKVAGMIL-NH2) were investigated as models. Thus, the four peptides had their secondary structure studied and were submitted to assays of mast cell degranulation, hemolysis, and antibiosis. The results of the bioassays made clear that those peptides bearing the positive charges positioned at the positions 4/5 and/or from 11 to 13 are the most active ones; meanwhile, the... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217544 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217543&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108159%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bhushan R, Agarwal C Indirect enantioresolution of 15 primary and secondary amino group containing compounds (amino alcohols, non-protein amino acids, PenA) was done using the reagent (S)-N-(4-Nitrophenoxycarbonyl) phenylalanine methoxyethyl ester [(S)-NIFE] by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The diastereomeric derivatives were analyzed under reversed-phase conditions using linear gradient. The detection was at 205 nm and sharp peaks were obtained. The reagent used is comparatively economic than the other derivatizing reagents. Method validation was also done. PMID: 20108159 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217543 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217569&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108007%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kira Y, Okazaki Y, Sawada T, Takafuji M, Ihara H Self-assembling amphiphiles with unique chiroptical properties were derived from L: -glutamic acid through omega-aminoalkylation and double long-chain alkylation. These amphiphiles can disperse in various solvents ranging from water to n-hexane. TEM and SEM observations indicate that the improvement in dispersity is induced by the formation of tubular and/or fibrillar aggregates with nanosized diameters, which makes these amphiphiles similar to aqueous lipid membrane systems. Spectroscopic observations, such as UV-visible and CD spectroscopies indicate that the aggregates are constructed on the basis of S- and R-chirally ordered structures through interamide interactions in water and organic media, respectively, and that these c... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217569 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217566&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108008%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Spyranti Z, Fragiadaki M, Magafa V, Borovickova L, Spyroulias GA, Cordopatis P, Slaninova J Incorporation of L: - or D: -Tic into position 7 of oxytocin (OT) and its deamino analogue ([Mpa(1)]OT) resulted in four analogues, [L: -Tic(7)]OT (1), [D: -Tic(7)]OT (2), [Mpa(1),L: -Tic(7)]OT (3) and [Mpa(1),D: -Tic(7)]OT (4). Their biological properties were described by Fragiadaki et al. (Eur J Med Chem 42:799-806, 2007). Their NMR study (NOESY, TOCSY, (1)H-(13)C HSQC spectra) is presented here. Analogues 1, 3 and 4 showed partial agonistic activity, analogue 2 was pure antagonist, suggesting that a cis conformation between residues 6 and 7 of the molecule does not result in antagonistic activity. However, the reduction in agonistic activity of analogues 1, 3 and 4 in comparison to ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217566 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217560&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108009%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Radchenko DS, Grygorenko OO, Komarov IV Synthesis of 6-amino-2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane-6-carboxylic acid and 2-azaspiro[3.3]heptane-6-carboxylic acid was performed. Both four-membered rings in the spirocyclic scaffold were constructed by subsequent ring closure of corresponding 1,3-bis-electrophiles at 1,1-C- or 1,1-N-bis-nucleophiles. The two novel amino acids were added to the family of the sterically constrained amino acids for the use in chemistry, biochemistry, and drug design. PMID: 20108009 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217560 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3217557&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20108010%26dopt%3DAbstract We present an optimized procedure for the synthesis of (S)-vinylglycine from (S)-methionine. The key step is a solvent free pyrolysis of an intermediate sulfoxide at high temperature. Using our optimized reaction conditions, Cbz-protected vinylglycine was obtained in high yield and with almost no side products. The protocol is scalable, fast and avoids the use of poisonous reagents. PMID: 20108010 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3217557 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3217557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212306&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20099003%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li F, Fitz D, Fraser DG, Rode BM The salt-induced peptide formation reaction has been proposed as a conceivable preliminary to the prebiotic evolution of peptides. In the present paper, the behaviour of arginine is reported for this reaction together with a discussion of the catalytic effects of glycine, and L: - and D: -histidine. Importantly, the behaviour of the two histidine enantiomers is different. Both histidine enantiomers perform better than glycine in enhancing the yields of arginine dipeptide with L: -histidine being more effective than D: -histidine. Yields in the presence of histidine are up to 70 times greater than for arginine solutions alone. This compares with 4.2 times higher in the presence of glycine. This difference is most pronounced in the most concentra... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212306 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3212306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212299&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20099004%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Murakami T, Furuse M Taurine, a substrate of taurine transporter, has functions as a neuromodulator and antioxidant and beta-alanine, a taurine transporter inhibitor, has a role as a neurotransmitter in the brain, and they were expected to be involved in depression-like behavior and antidepressant treatment. These facts aroused our interest in new capabilities of taurine and beta-alanine. Thus, to investigate the effects of chronic ingestion of taurine- (22.5 mmol/kg diet) supplemented diet and beta-alanine- (22.5 mmol/kg diet) supplemented diet under acute stressful conditions, behavioral changes and brain metabolites were compared with mice fed a control diet. In the open field test, no significant difference was observed in locomotor activity among groups. In the elevated p... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212299 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3212299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200918&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20091413%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we examined differences in glycine oxidation between C. albicans and S. cerevisiae. Both C. albicans and S. cerevisiae were cultured in glycine enriched media, followed by determination of glycine oxidation and amino acid concentrations in cells. Glycine was degraded to a much greater extent in C. albicans than in S. cerevisiae. Threonine concentrations and glycine oxidation were also elevated in C. albicans. Almost all of the disappearance of glycine from incubation media was accounted for by the formation of serine, threonine, and CO(2) in S. cerevisiae, whereas these products represented only 50% of the metabolized glycine in C. albicans. The unidentified metabolites of glycine in C. albicans, presumably purines, could contribute to its infectious capacity and this warran... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200918 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200915&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20094739%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Meng F, Xu J A series of phosphinopeptides containing C-terminal alpha-aminoalkylphosphinic acids were prepared in good yields directly in one-pot reactions of 2-(N-benzoxycarbonylamino)alkanamides/peptide amides, aldehydes, and aryldichlorophosphines, followed by hydrolysis. In the current method, the peptide bond was formed in a Mannich-type reaction. PMID: 20094739 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200915 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200914&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20094740%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Patsialas K, Koutsas C, Makris P, Liakopoulou-Kyriakides M Factor VIII, the plasma protein deficient or defective in individuals with hemophilia A, is a critical member of the blood coagulation cascade. Recent studies have identified the FVIII light chain region Glu1811-Lys1818 as being involved in FIXa binding and in the assembly of the FX-activating FIXaz-FVIIIa complex. Based on this, a series of 12 peptides, analogues of the 1811-1818 loop of the A3 subunit of the light chain A3-C1-C2 of FVIIIa, were synthesized and evaluated for their anticoagulant activity. Only peptide Ac-ETKTYFWK-NH(2) showed significant anticoagulant activity by inhibiting about 40% factor VIII at a concentration of 0.43 mM. It also showed a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time of 6.1... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200914 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200913&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20094741%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fioravanti S, Gasbarri S, Morreale A, Pellacani L, Ramadori F, Tardella PA Non-symmetric disubstituted malonamides rAA-mGly-AA', obtained from Meldrum's acid, were considered as methylene active compounds and a Knoevenagel condensation methodology was developed involving piperidine and activated 4 A molecular sieves as catalysts. The reaction is efficient, broad in scope, and easy to perform and allows access to E/Z mixtures of short malonyl dehydro peptides (MDHPs) rAA-mDelta(2)AA''-AA', partially modified retro peptides characterized by an interesting combination of retro and dehydro modifications in the same structure. PMID: 20094741 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200913 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200912&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20094742%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rogero MM, Borelli P, Fock RA, Borges MC, Vinolo MA, Curi R, Nakajima K, Crisma AR, Ramos AD, Tirapegui J The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glutamine on the expression of proteins involved in the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway of murine peritoneal macrophages. Since glutamine is essential for the normal functioning of macrophages, it was hypothesized that in vitro glutamine supplementation would increase NF-kappaB activation. Peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with glutamine (0, 0.6, 2 and 10 mM) before incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the effects of glutamine on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and on the expression and activity of proteins involved in the NF-kappaB signaling pathway were studied by an enzym... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200912 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200917&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20091414%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bertazzini M, Medrzycki P, Bortolotti L, Maistrello L, Forlani G Dual choice feeding tests were performed to determine a preference of forager honeybees for specific amino acids. Artificial nectar containing proline was preferred over those containing only sugars. Nectar containing alanine was preferred on the first day, but preference was no longer significant thereafter. On the contrary, a negative response was found for serine. When the bees were given the choice between two nectars enriched with different compounds, proline was preferred above both alanine and serine, and alanine above serine. PMID: 20091414 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200917 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200916&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20091415%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the results demonstrate strict structural requirements for agonist activity of the TLR2 ligand Pam2Cys. PMID: 20091415 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200916 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3200916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3194475&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20084413%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Facchiano F, Deloye F, Doussau F, Innamorati G, Ashton AC, Dolly JO, Beninati S, Facchiano A, Luini A, Poulain B, Benfenati F Inhibition of neuroexocytosis by tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) involves VAMP-2/synaptobrevin-2 cleavage. However, deletion of the TeNT activity does not completely abolish its inhibitory action. TeNT is a potent activator of the cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) in vitro. The role of the latter mechanism in TeNT poisoning was investigated in isolated nerve terminals and intact neurons. TeNT-induced inhibition of glutamate release from rat cortical synaptosomes was associated with a simultaneous activation of neuronal transglutaminase (TGase) activity. The TeNT-induced blockade of neuroexocytosis was strongly attenuated by pretreatment of eit... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3194475 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3194475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3186156&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20082103%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ivanova BB, Seidel RW, Kolev T, Sheldrick W, Spiteller M The title compound, 2-(phenylethyl)ammonium hydrogensquarate hemihydrate, was synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state polarized IR spectroscopy of oriented colloids in a nematic host. The crystal structure consists of two crystallographically independent 2-(phenylethyl)ammonium cations, joined in a 2D hydrogen-bonded network with hydrogensquarate anions and solvent water molecules. Surprisingly, the crystallographically non-equivalent cations exhibit differing pseudo T and G trans configurations. PMID: 20082103 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3186156 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3186156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164180&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20063202%26dopt%3DAbstract This study points out different behaviour between HEK cells overexpressing wild-type or mutant APP when exposed to oxidative insult. Although apparently both APPwt and APPmut overexpression conferred resistance to oxidative insult, some differences in terms of degree of protection was observed in the two clones. We found that the two clones differed, especially, in terms of redox profile. HEK-APPmut cells were characterized by higher levels of oxidative markers in comparison with HEK-APPwt. In addition, SOD activity appeared more efficient in HEK-APPwt than in HEK-APPmut, thus justifying the differences in terms of cell survival in the two clones. We suggest that, according to "hormesis theory", in HEK-APPwt cells low amount of oxidative stress can exert a beneficial effect that at a highe... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164180 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164181&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20063108%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides new insights into the structure and NO-binding of human sGC. Furthermore, the efficient expression system of E. coli will be beneficial to the further studies on structure and activation mechanism of human sGC. PMID: 20063108 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164181 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3164181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3135359&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20043231%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we have chemically synthesized the H2 relaxin analog, B-R13/17K H2 relaxin, and subjected it to detailed chemical characterization by HPLC, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and amino acid analysis. The biological activity of the synthetic peptide was then tested in three different cell lines. It was found to bind with 500-fold lower affinity than H2 relaxin to RXFP1 receptors over-expressed in HEK-293T cells where it acted as a partial agonist. However, in cells which natively express the RXFP1 receptor, rat renal myofibroblasts and MCF-7 cancer cells, it acted as a full antagonist. Importantly, it was able to significantly inhibit cell invasion induced by H2 relaxin in MCF-7 cells consistent with the results of the lentiviral-driven expression in prostate cancer cells. The rela... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3135359 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3135359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129896&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20037767%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rungrotmongkol T, Malaisree M, Nunthaboot N, Sompornpisut P, Hannongbua S To predict the susceptibility of the probable 2009 influenza A (H1N1-2009) mutant strains to oseltamivir, MD/LIE approach was applied to oseltamivir complexed with the most frequent drug-resistant strains of neuraminidase subtypes N1 and N2: two mutations on the framework residues (N294S and H274Y) and the two others on the direct-binding residues (E119V and R292K) of oseltamivir. Relative to those of the wild type (WT), loss of drug-target interaction energies, especially in terms of electrostatic contributions and hydrogen bonds were dominantly established in the E119V and R292K mutated systems. The inhibitory potencies of oseltamivir towards the WT and mutants were predicted according to the ordering ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129896 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3129896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122523&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20033237%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liao XB, Peng YQ, Zhou XM, Yang B, Zheng Z, Liu LM, Song FL, Li JM, Zhou K, Meng JC, Yuan LQ, Xie H Our previous studies demonstrated that taurine inhibits osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscular cells (VSMCs) via the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway, but the underlying mechanism is not elucidated. The tyrosine kinase receptor Axl and its ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) are expressed in VSMCs. Axl/Gas6 signaling system is known to inhibit VSMCs calcification. We herein showed that taurine partially restored Axl and Gas6 expression in beta-glycerophosphate (beta-GP)-induced VSMC calcification model. Taurine also induced activation of ERK, but not other two MAPKs including c-jun N-... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122523 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3122523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122521&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20033827%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rodríguez A, Villegas E, Satake H, Possani LD, Corzo G Four variants of the highly hemolytic antimicrobial peptide Pin2 were chemically synthesized with the aim to investigate the role of the proline residue in this peptide, by replacing it with the motif glycine-valine-glycine [GVG], which was found to confer low hemolytic activity in a spider antimicrobial peptide. The proline residue in position 14 of Pin2 was substituted by [V], [GV], [VG] and [GVG]. Only the peptide variant with the proline substituted for [GVG] was less hemolytic compared to that of all other variants. The peptide variant [GVG] kept its antimicrobial activity in Muller-Hilton agar diffusion assays, whereas the other three variants were less effective. However, all Pin2 antimicrobial peptide variants... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122521 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3122521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122522&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20033238%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bergamini CM, Dondi A, Lanzara V, Squerzanti M, Cervellati C, Montin K, Mischiati C, Tasco G, Collighan R, Griffin M, Casadio R The transamidating activity of tissue transglutaminase is regulated by the ligands calcium and GTP, via conformational changes which facilitate or interfere with interaction with the peptidyl-glutamine substrate. We have analysed binding of these ligands by calorimetric and computational approaches. In the case of GTP we have detected a single high affinity site (K (D) approximately 1 muM), with moderate thermal effects suggestive that binding GTP involves replacement of GDP, normally bound to the protein. On line with this possibility no significant binding was observed during titration with GDP and computational studies support this view. Titration ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122522 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3122522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105214&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20020162%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marcello A PMID: 20020162 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105214 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105216&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20016921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Allouch A, Cereseto A The viral protein integrase (IN) catalyzes the integration of the HIV-1 cDNA into the host cellular genome. We have recently demonstrated that IN is acetylated by a cellular histone acetyltransferase, p300, which modifies three lysines located in the C-terminus of the viral factor (Cereseto et al. in EMBO J 24:3070-3081, 2005). This modification enhances IN catalytic activity, as demonstrated by in vitro assays. Consistently, mutations introduced in the targeted lysines greatly decrease the efficiency of HIV-1 integration. Acetylation was proven to regulate protein functions by modulating protein-protein interactions. HIV-1 to efficiently complete its replication steps, including the integration reaction, requires interacting with numerous cellular factor... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105216 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105215&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20020161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Blachier F, Davila AM, Mimoun S, Benetti PH, Atanasiu C, Andriamihaja M, Benamouzig R, Bouillaud F, Tomé D Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is present in the lumen of the human large intestine at millimolar concentrations. However, the concentration of free (unbound) sulfide is in the micromolar range due to a large capacity of fecal components to bind the sulfide. H(2)S can be produced by the intestinal microbiota from alimentary and endogenous sulfur-containing compounds including amino acids. At excessive concentration, H(2)S is known to severely inhibit cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and thus mitochondrial oxygen (O(2)) consumption. However, the concept that sulfide is simply a metabolic troublemaker toward colonic ep... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105215 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105213&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20020163%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Del Duca S, Cai G, Di Sandro A, Serafini-Fracassini D The polyamine (PA) content and the transglutaminase (TGase) activity have been investigated in Pyrus communis pollination with compatible and self-incompatible (SI) pollen in order to deepen their possible involvement in the progamic phase of plant reproduction. The PA distribution as free, perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble and PCA-insoluble fractions in ungerminated (UGP), germinating pollen (GP), styles and pollinated styles with compatible and SI pollens is discussed in the light of a possible role during pollination. Generally, the conjugated PAs both in PCA-soluble and PCA-insoluble fractions were higher than the free form. Within the conjugated PAs, the PCA-insoluble ones were the highest with the exception of the not pol... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105213 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105224&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20013009%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Govoni M, Bonavita F, Shantz LM, Guarnieri C, Giordano E Myoblast differentiation into multinuclear myotubes implies the slow-down of their proliferative drive and the expression of myogenin, an early marker of myogenic differentiation. Natural polyamines-such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine-are low molecular weight organic polycations, well known as mediators involved in cell homeostasis. Many evidences in the literature point to their role in driving cellular differentiation processes. Here, we studied how polyamines may affect the differentiation of the myogenic cell line H9c2 into the muscle phenotype. Cell cultures were committed via a 7-day treatment with insulin which induced increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, the first enzyme in the polyamine b... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105224 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105223&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20013010%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shiokawa K, Aso M, Kondo T, Takai JI, Yoshida J, Mishina T, Fuchimukai K, Ogasawara T, Kariya T, Tashiro K, Igarashi K We have been studying control mechanisms of gene expression in early embryogenesis in a South African clawed toad Xenopus laevis, especially during the period of midblastula transition (MBT), or the transition from the phase of active cell division (cleavage stage) to the phase of extensive morphogenesis (post-blastular stages). We first found that ribosomal RNA synthesis is initiated shortly after MBT in Xenopus embryos and those weak bases, such as amines and ammonium ion, selectively inhibit the initiation and subsequent activation of rRNA synthesis. We then found that rapidly labeled heterogeneous mRNA-like RNA is synthesized in embryos at pre-MBT stage. W... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105223 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105219&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20013011%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Agostinelli E, Marques MP, Calheiros R, Gil FP, Tempera G, Viceconte N, Battaglia V, Grancara S, Toninello A Polyamines are small cationic molecules required for cellular proliferation and are detected at higher concentrations in most tumour tissues, compared to normal tissues. Agmatine (AGM), a biogenic amine, is able to arrest proliferation in cell lines by depleting intracellular polyamine levels. It enters mammalian cells via the polyamine transport system. Agmatine is able to induce oxidative stress in mitochondria at low concentrations (10 or 100 muM), while at higher concentrations (e.g. 1-2 mM) it does not affect mitochondrial respiration and is ineffective in inducing any oxidative stress. As this effect is strictly correlated with the mitochondrial permeability trans... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105219 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105217&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20013012%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Agostinelli E PMID: 20013012 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105217 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105226&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012548%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigate the potential function of EBP50 through over-expression in the breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, which has low EBP50 protein expression levels. The effects of EBP50 over-expression on cellular proliferation, anchorage-independent growth and apoptosis were examined. In addition, the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was also determined. Our results show that a decrease of cellular proliferation and attenuation of colony-forming ability were evident in MDA-MB-231 cells stably transfected with an EBP50 expressing plasmid (EBP-231) when compared with control cells. There was also a statistically significant increase in spontaneous apoptosis in EBP-231 cells accompanied by an attenuation in ERK activity. Altogether, our results suggest that... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105226 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105225&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012549%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, as cancer cells become resilient to death, it is worthwhile the discovery of new drugs such as pentadactylin that induces apoptosis. PMID: 20012549 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105225 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105231&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012114%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrated that multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells (colon adenocarcinoma and melanoma) are significantly more sensitive than the corresponding wild-type (WT) ones to H(2)O(2) and aldehydes, the products of BSAO-catalyzed oxidation of spermine. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations showed major ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondria. These were more pronounced in MDR than in WT cells. Increasing the incubation temperature from 37 to 42 degrees C enhances cytotoxicity in cells exposed to spermine metabolites. The combination BSAO/spermine prevents tumor growth, particularly well if the enzyme has been conjugated to a biocompatible hydrogel polymers. Since both wild-type and MDR cancer cells after pre-treatment with MDL 72527, a lysosomotropic compound,... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105231 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105230&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012115%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Minarini A, Milelli A, Tumiatti V, Rosini M, Bolognesi ML, Melchiorre C The binding of polyamines to a variety of receptors and other defined recognition sites has been widely reported. It is well-known that polyamines interact with aspartate, glutamate, and aromatic residues of a given receptor and/or enzyme mainly through the formation of ion bonds, since at physiological pH, protonation of amino groups is nearly complete. From this, the hypothesis arises that a polyamine may be a universal template able to recognize different receptor systems. This hypothesis suggests that both affinity and selectivity may be fine-tuned by inserting appropriate substituents onto the amine functions and by varying the methylene chain lengths between them on the polyamine backbone. In this pa... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105230 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105229&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012116%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Häkkinen MR, Hyvönen MT, Auriola S, Casero RA, Vepsäläinen J, Khomutov AR, Alhonen L, Keinänen TA N-alkylated polyamine analogues have potential as anticancer and antiparasitic drugs. However, their metabolism in the host has remained incompletely defined thus potentially limiting their utility. Here, we have studied the degradation of three different spermine analogues N,N'-bis-(3-ethylaminopropyl)butane-1,4-diamine (DESPM), N-(3-benzyl-aminopropyl)-N'-(3-ethylaminopropyl)butane-1,4-diamine (BnEtSPM) and N,N'-bis-(3-benzylaminopropyl)butane-1,4-diamine (DBSPM) and related mono-alkylated derivatives as substrates of recombinant human polyamine oxidase (APAO) and spermine oxidase (SMO). APAO and SMO metabolized DESPM to EtSPD [K (m(APAO)) = 10 muM, k (c... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105229 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105228&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012117%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cerrada-Gimenez M, Häyrinen J, Juutinen S, Reponen T, Jänne J, Alhonen L We have generated a transgenic mouse line that over expresses the rate-controlling enzyme of the polyamine catabolism, spermidine/spermine N (1)-acetyltransferase, under the control of a heavy metal inducible promoter. This line is characterized by a notable increase in SSAT activity in liver, pancreas and kidneys and a moderate increase in the rest of the tissues. SSAT induction results in an enhanced polyamine catabolism manifested as a depletion of spermidine and spermine and an overaccumulation of putrescine in all tissues. To study how the activation of polyamine catabolism affects other metabolic pathways, protein expression pattern of the livers of transgenic animals was analyzed by two-d... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105228 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105227&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20012118%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Battaglia V, Grancara S, Satriano J, Saccoccio S, Agostinelli E, Toninello A The arginine metabolite agmatine is able to protect brain mitochondria against the drop in energy capacity by the Ca(2+)-dependent induction of permeability transition (MPT) in rat brain mitochondria. At normal levels, the amine maintains the respiratory control index and ADP/O ratio and prevents mitochondrial colloid-osmotic swelling and any electrical potential (DeltaPsi) drop. MPT is due to oxidative stress induced by the interaction of Ca(2+) with the mitochondrial membrane, leading to the production of hydrogen peroxide and, subsequently, other reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals. This production of ROS induces oxidation of sulfhydryl groups, in particular those of two critica... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105227 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3105227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080097&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997756%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the concerted usage of different in silico prediction methods and in vitro epitope processing/presentation studies was supportive in the identification of CVB3 MHC-I epitopes. PMID: 19997756 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080097 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080090&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997763%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study is to determine whether they are involved in SOCE in normal human liver cells. Liposomal transfection method was used to increase expression levels of the three proteins in HL-7702 cells, a normal human liver cell line. Western blot and single cell RT-PCR were applied to evaluate transfection effectiveness. Changes in store-operated current (I(SOC)) and SOCE were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp recording and calcium imaging. I(SOC) is detected in HL-7702 cells and it is inhibited either by 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) or La(3+). Overexpression of STIM1 or Orai1 alone did not induce any change in I(SOC). TRPC1-transfection, however, caused approximate 2.5-fold increase in I(SOC). A large increase (>10-fold) in I(SOC) emerged when both STIM1 a... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080090 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080089&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997948%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Clark K, Niemand J, Reeksting S, Smit S, van Brummelen AC, Williams M, Louw AI, Birkholtz L Inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis and/or the perturbation of polyamine functionality have been exploited with success against parasitic diseases such as Trypanosoma infections. However, when the classical polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, is used against the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, it results in only a cytostatic growth arrest. Polyamine metabolism in this parasite has unique properties not shared by any other organism. These include the bifunctional arrangement of the catalytic decarboxylases and an apparent absence of the typical polyamine interconversion pathways implying different mechanisms for the regulation of polyamine hom... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080089 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080096&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997757%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Murakami Y, Suzuki J, Samejima K, Oka T Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), antizyme (AZ), and antizyme inhibitor (AIn) play a key role in regulation of intracellular polyamine levels by forming a regulatory circuit through their interactions. To gain insight into their functional importance in cell growth and differentiation, we systematically examined the changes of their expression, cellular polyamine contents, expression of genes related to polyamine metabolism, and beta-casein gene expression during murine mammary gland development. The activity of ODC and AZ1 as well as putrescine level were low in the virgin and involuting stages, but they increased markedly during late pregnancy and early lactation when mammary cells proliferate extensively and begin to augment their differ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080096 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080095&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997758%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abrighach H, Fajardo I, Sánchez-Jiménez F, Urdiales JL There are multiple lines of evidence suggesting interplay between histamine and polyamines in several mammalian cell types. However, the complex metabolic context makes it difficult to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Histamine's effects can be elicited after its binding to any of the four subtypes of G-protein coupled histamine membrane receptors. In addition, intracellular histamine can also interfere with polyamine metabolism, since there are several metabolic connections between the synthesis and degradation pathways of both types of amines. In order to dissect the metabolic effects of intracellular histamine on polyamine metabolism, we chose a well-known cell culture line, i.e., the human embryonic kidney ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080095 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080094&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997759%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khomutov MA, Mandal S, Weisell J, Saxena N, Simonian AR, Vepsalainen J, Madhubala R, Kochetkov SN Alkylation of ethyl N-hydroxyacetimidate with readily available methanesulfonates of functionally substituted alcohols and subsequent deprotection of aminooxy group is a novel and convenient method to prepare functionally substituted esters of hydroxylamine with high overall yield. This approach is a good alternative to well-known reaction of N-hydroxyphthalimide with alcohols under the Mitsunobu conditions. The properties of ethoxyethylidene protection of aminooxy group on the contrary to that of N-alkoxyphthalimide group allow to perform a wide spectra of the transformations in the radical of N-protected hydroxylamine derivatives. This is essential for synthetic strategies consi... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080094 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080093&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997760%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Park MH, Nishimura K, Zanelli CF, Valentini SR The unusual basic amino acid, hypusine [N(epsilon)-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)-lysine], is a modified lysine with the addition of the 4-aminobutyl moiety from the polyamine spermidine. This naturally occurring amino acid is a product of a unique posttranslational modification that occurs in only one cellular protein, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A, eIF-5A). Hypusine is synthesized exclusively in this protein by two sequential enzymatic steps involving deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH). The deoxyhypusine/hypusine synthetic pathway has evolved in archaea and eukaryotes, and eIF5A, DHS and DOHH are highly conserved suggesting a vital cellular function of eIF5A. Gene disruption and muta... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080093 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080092&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997761%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bale S, Ealick SE S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) is a critical enzyme in the polyamine biosynthetic pathway and a subject of many structural and biochemical investigations for anti-cancer and anti-parasitic therapy. The enzyme undergoes an internal serinolysis reaction as a post-translational modification to generate the active site pyruvoyl group for the decarboxylation process. The crystal structures of AdoMetDC from Homo sapiens, Solanum tuberosum, Thermotoga maritima, and Aquifex aeolicus have been determined. Numerous crystal structures of human AdoMetDC and mutants have provided insights into the mechanism of autoprocessing, putrescine activation, substrate specificity, and inhibitor design to the enzyme. The comparison of the human and potato enzyme with ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080092 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3080091&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19997762%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Battaglia V, Grancara S, Mancon M, Cravanzola C, Colombatto S, Grillo MA, Tempera G, Agostinelli E, Toninello A The diamine agmatine (AGM), exhibiting two positive charges at physiological pH, is transported into rat brain mitochondria (RBM) by an electrophoretic mechanism, requiring high membrane potential values and exhibiting a marked non-ohmic force-flux relationship. The mechanism of this transport apparently resembles that observed in rat liver mitochondria (RLM), but there are several characteristics that strongly suggest the presence of a different transporter of agmatine in RBM. In this type of mitochondria, the extent of initial binding and total accumulation is higher and lower, respectively, than that in liver; saturation kinetics and the flux-voltage relationship ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3080091 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3080091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3064152&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19967419%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pakkala M, Weisell J, Hekim C, Vepsäläinen J, Wallen EA, Stenman UH, Koistinen H, Närvänen A Human prostate produces kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3, also known as prostate specific antigen), which is widely used as a prostate cancer marker. Proteolytically active KLK3 has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and its expression decreases in poorly differentiated tumors. Thus, it may be possible to control prostate cancer growth with agents that stimulate the proteolytic activity of KLK3. We have earlier developed synthetic peptides, which bind specifically to KLK3 and promote its proteolytic activity. These peptides are cyclic, all containing a disulfide bridge between the N- and C-terminal cysteines. To increase the in vivo stability of the KLK3-stimula... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3064152 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3064152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3064151&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19967420%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kerksick CM, Kreider RB, Willoughby DS Prophylactic supplementation of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was studied for physiological and cellular changes in skeletal muscle after eccentric muscle contractions. Thirty healthy, active males (20.0 +/- 1.8 years, 160 +/- 7.1 cm, 76.1 +/- 17.0 kg) ingested for 14 days either 1,800 mg of NAC, 1,800 mg of EGCG, or 1,000 mg of fiber (glucomannan) placebo (PLC) in a double blind, prophylactic fashion. Subjects completed one eccentric exercise bout (100 repetitions at 30 degrees /s) using the dominant knee extensors. Strength and soreness were assessed, and blood and muscle samples obtained before and 6, 24, 48, and 72 h with no muscle sample being collected at 72 h. Separate mixed factorial repeated measures... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3064151 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3064151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061586&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19960212%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Caccamo D, Currò M, Condello S, Ferlazzo N, Ientile R Proteolytic stress, resulting from the intracellular accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins, which exceed the capacity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade them, plays a relevant role in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's chorea. Most of toxic protein aggregates are characterised by the presence of isopeptide bonds (cross-links) catalysed by transglutaminase activity; further, several disease-specific proteins-tau, amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, huntingtin-are in vitro and/or in vivo substrates of transglutaminase 2. These findings suggest an important role for transglutaminase 2-mediated cross-linking reactions in neurodegeneration. Theref... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061586 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3061586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061585&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19960213%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Di Pierro P, Mariniello L, Sorrentino A, Villalonga R, Chico B, Porta R Putrescine (1,4-diaminobutane) was covalently linked to alginate and low-methoxyl pectin to synthesize new aminated polysaccharides. Both putrescine-pectin and -alginate conjugates, although the latter at higher concentrations, were found to be able to act as effective acyl acceptor transglutaminase substrates in vitro using both dimethylated casein and soy flour proteins as acyl donors. Monodansylcadaverine, a well known acyl acceptor transglutaminase substrate, dose-dependently counteracted the covalent binding of the aminated polysaccharides to the proteins. Putrescine-pectin conjugate was also tested to prepare, in combination with soy flour proteins, edible films in the presence of purified microbial ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061585 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3061585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061584&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19960214%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kovács Z, Simon-Sarkadi L, Szűcs A, Kocsy G The effects of cold, osmotic stress and abscisic acid (ABA) on polyamine accumulation were compared in the moderately freezing-sensitive wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Chinese Spring (CS) and in two derived chromosome 5A substitution lines, CS(T. spelta 5A) and CS(Cheyenne 5A), exhibiting lower and higher levels of freezing tolerance, respectively. When compared with the other treatments, putrescine (Put) and spermidine (Spd) levels were much greater after cold treatment, spermine (Spm) following polyethylene glycol-induced (PEG) osmotic stress and Spm and cadaverine (Cad) after ABA treatment. During 3-week cold stress, the Put concentration, first exhibited a transient increase and decrease, and then gradually incre... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061584 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3061584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061583&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19960215%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cetrullo S, Facchini A, Stanic I, Tantini B, Pignatti C, Caldarera CM, Flamigni F Recent studies have shown that aldosterone may play a critical role in the transition to heart failure and that heart is a direct target of the action of aldosterone, which can provoke hypertrophy and apoptosis of isolated cardiomyocytes and also increase the expression of genes that favor tissue fibrosis. Early work from this and other laboratories has established a link between the aliphatic polyamines and cardiac hypertrophy, while more recently an involvement of polyamines even in cell death and survival has emerged. In the present study we have treated cardiac cells, i.e. rat H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and neonatal cardiomyocytes, with (D: ,L: )-2-(difluoromethyl)ornithine, a specific inhibitor of... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061583 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3061583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057126&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956988%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Algranati ID Biochemical studies have shown that Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii are the only eukaryotic organisms so far described which are auxotrophic for polyamines. Both parasites are unable to carry out the de novo biosynthesis of putrescine, and therefore they need the addition of exogenous polyamines to the culture medium for their normal proliferation. Further investigations at the molecular level have demonstrated that the wild-type T. cruzi genome does not contain ornithine or arginine decarboxylase-like nucleic acid sequences, and that the corresponding genes have been presumably lost during evolution. Since T. cruzi behaves as a deletion mutant for ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and arginine decarboxylase (ADC) genes, this parasite has been selected to stud... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057126 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057125&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956989%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we used alpha-methylspermidine, a metabolically stable polyamine analog, to artificially elevate the polyamine pool during telogen. This manipulation was sufficient to induce hair growth in telogen phase mice after 2 weeks of daily topical application. The application site was characterized by typical features of anagen, such as pigmentation, growing hair follicles, proliferation of follicular keratinocytes and upregulation of beta-catenin. The analog penetrated the protective epidermal layer of the skin and could be detected in dermis. The natural polyamines were partially replaced by the analog in the application site. However, the combined pool of natural spermidine and alpha-methylspermidine exceeded the physiological spermidine pool in telogen phase skin. These results ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057125 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057124&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956990%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: López-Contreras AJ, Ramos-Molina B, Cremades A, Peñafiel R Polyamines are small organic polycations essential for cell proliferation and survival. Antizymes (AZs) are small proteins regulated by polyamines that inhibit polyamine biosynthesis and uptake in mammalian cells. In addition, antizyme functions are also regulated by antizyme inhibitors, homologue proteins of ornithine decarboxylase lacking enzymatic activity. There are two antizyme inhibitors (AZIN), known as AZIN1 and AZIN2, that bind to AZs and negate their effects on polyamine metabolism. Here, we review different molecular and cellular properties of the novel AZIN2 with particular emphasis on the role that this protein may have in brain and testis physiology. Whereas AZIN1 is ubiquitously found in mammal... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057124 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057123&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956991%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hyvönen MT, Sinervirta R, Grigorenko N, Khomutov AR, Vepsäläinen J, Keinänen TA, Alhonen L The role of polyamines in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced organ injury was studied in syngenic rats and transgenic rats with activated polyamine catabolism. In syngenic rats, administration of CCl(4) resulted in the induction of hepatic spermidine/spermine N (1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT), accumulation of putrescine, reduction in spermine level and appearance of moderate hepatic injury within 24 h. Upon treatment with CCl(4), transgenic rats overexpressing SSAT displayed induction of both hepatic and pancreatic SSAT, with subsequent accumulation of putrescine and decrease of both spermidine and spermine pools. Administration of CCl(4) in SSAT transgenic rats induc... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057123 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057122&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956992%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pirinen E, Gylling H, Itkonen P, Yaluri N, Heikkinen S, Pietilä M, Kuulasmaa T, Tusa M, Cerrada-Gimenez M, Pihlajamäki J, Alhonen L, Jänne J, Miettinen TA, Laakso M Transgenic mice with activated polyamine catabolism due to overexpression of spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) have significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol levels. In our study, we show that low cholesterol levels were attributable to enhanced bile acid synthesis in combination with reduced cholesterol absorption. Hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting enzyme catalyzing the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids, plays an important role in the removal of excess cholesterol from the body. We suggest that by reducing activity of Akt activated polyamin... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057122 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057121&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956993%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Takao K, Sugita Y, Shirahata A Polyamine uptake by the polyamine transport system (PTS) in HTC cells was studied without the use of radioisotope-labeled polyamines. N(1)-Dansylspermine (DNS343) was selected as a candidate probe to examine the PTS. DNS343 was incorporated into HTC cells, and its distribution in the cells was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. The incorporation of DNS343 via PTS was confirmed by a competition study with bis(3-aminopropyl)amine, which is incorporated into cells via the PTS. In addition, the temperature dependency of DNS343 uptake and studies with inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase and proteoglycan synthesis supported the use of DNS343 as a fluorescent probe for the PTS. The kinetics studies for HTC cells treated with or without an ornithine... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057121 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057120&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956994%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Szewczyk B, Poleszak E, Sowa-Kućma M, Wróbel A, Słotwiński S, Listos J, Wlaź P, Cichy A, Siwek A, Dybała M, Gołembiowska K, Pilc A, Nowak G Antidepressant-like activity of zinc in the forced swim test (FST) was demonstrated previously. Enhancement of such activity by joint administration of zinc and antidepressants was also shown. However, mechanisms involved in this activity have not yet been established. The present study examined the involvement of the NMDA and AMPA receptors in zinc activity in the FST in mice and rats. Additionally, the influence of zinc on both glutamate and aspartate release in the rat brain was also determined. Zinc-induced antidepressant-like activity in the FST in both mice and rats was antagonized by N-methyl... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057120 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057119&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Melgarejo E, Urdiales JL, Sánchez-Jiménez F, Medina MA Biogenic amines and polyamines are organic polycations derived from aromatic or cationic amino acids. They exert pleiotropic effects, more related to intercellular communication in the case of biogenic amines, and to intracellular signaling in the case of polyamines. The bioactive compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major component of green tea, has been shown to target key enzyme of biogenic amine and polyamine metabolic pathways. Herein, we review the specific effects of EGCG on concrete molecular targets of both biogenic amine and polyamine metabolic pathways, and discuss the relevance of these data to support the potential therapeutic interest of this compound. PMID: 19956995 [PubMed - as suppli... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057119 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057118&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956996%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cano VS, Medrano FJ, Park MH, Valentini SR The unique amino acid hypusine is formed exclusively in eIF5A by the successive action of deoxyhypusine synthase and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (yeast Lia1, human DOHH). Although the first enzyme has been extensively studied, both Lia1 structure and the mechanism of action remain unclear. Hence, a multi-approach was used to evaluate Lia1 catalysis, metal/substrate binding, structural conformation and stability. Mutational analyses of Lia1 revealed fine differences in the mode of substrate binding between the human and yeast counterparts. Like human DOHH, recombinant Lia1 is an iron metalloenzyme. Iron is essential for enzyme activity since its loss renders the enzyme totally inactive. The separation of iron-free and iron-bound forms by... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057118 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057117&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956997%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kerscher B, Nzukou E, Kaiser A Antimalarial drug resistance has nowadays reached each drug class on the market for longer than 10 years. The focus on validated, classical targets has severe drawbacks. If resistance is arising or already present in the field, a target-based High-Throughput-Screening (HTS) with the respective target involves the risk of identifying compounds to which field populations are also resistant. Thus, it appears that a rewarding albeit demanding challenge for target-based drug discovery is to identify novel drug targets. In the search for new targets for antimalarials, we have investigated the biosynthesis of hypusine, present in eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). Deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH), which has recently been cloned and expressed from ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057117 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057116&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956998%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Palmer AJ, Wallace HM The vast majority of anticancer drugs in clinical use are limited by systemic host toxicity due to their non-specific side effects. These shortcomings have led to the development of tumour specific drugs which target a single-deregulated pathway or over expressed receptor in cancer cells. Whilst this approach has achieved clinical success, we have also learnt that targeting a single entity in cancer is rarely curative due to the large number of deregulated pathways, receptors and kinases which are also present, in addition to the target. An attractive alternative to improve targeting would be to harness the already established activity of known anticancer drugs by attaching them to a molecule that is transported into cancer cells via a selective transport... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057116 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057115&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19956999%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mattoo AK, Minocha SC, Minocha R, Handa AK Distribution of biogenic amines-the diamine putrescine (Put), triamine spermidine (Spd), and tetraamine spermine (Spm)-differs between species with Put and Spd being particularly abundant and Spm the least abundant in plant cells. These amines are important for cell viability and their intracellular levels are tightly regulated, which have made it difficult to characterize individual effects of Put, Spd and Spm on plant growth and developmental processes. The recent transgenic intervention and mutational genetics have made it possible to stably alter levels of naturally occurring polyamines and study their biological effects. We bring together an analysis of certain metabolic changes, particularly in amino acids, to infer the responsi... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057115 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057114&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19957000%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we also propose a new high-yield purification protocol for fusion proteins to be used in vaccination experiments with the carrier protein or in comparative studies of particulate or non-particulate HBc fusion proteins. PMID: 19957000 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057114 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3057127&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19953281%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Weisell J, Hyvönen MT, Vepsäläinen J, Alhonen L, Keinänen TA, Khomutov AR, Soininen P Ionic interactions are essential for the biological functions of the polyamines spermidine and spermine in mammalian physiology. Here, we describe a simple gram scale method to prepare 1,12-diamino-3,6,9-triazadodecane (SpmTrien), an isosteric charge-deficient spermine analogue. The protonation sites of SpmTrien were determined at pH range of 2.2-11.0 using two-dimensional (1)H-(15)N NMR spectroscopy, which proved to be more feasible than conventional methods. The macroscopic pK (a) values of SpmTrien (3.3, 6.3, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.3) are significantly lower than those of 1,12-diamino-4,9-diazadodecane (spermine). The effects of SpmTrien and its parent molecule, 1,8-diamino-3,... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3057127 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3057127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048898&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19949824%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Blavid R, Kusch P, Hauber J, Eschweiler U, Sarite SR, Specht S, Deininger S, Hoerauf A, Kaiser A An important issue facing global health today is the need for new, effective and affordable drugs against malaria, particularly in resource-poor countries. Moreover, the currently available antimalarials are limited by factors ranging from parasite resistance to safety, compliance, cost and the current lack of innovations in medicinal chemistry. Depletion of polyamines in the intraerythrocytic phase of P. falciparum is a promising strategy for the development of new antimalarials since intracellular levels of putrescine, spermidine and spermine are increased during cell proliferation. S-adenosyl-methionine-decarboxylase (AdoMETDC) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of spermidine. ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048898 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048900&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19946787%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hong H, Zhang Y, Sun J, Cai W Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Positron emission tomography (PET), a non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative imaging technique, can facilitate personalized management of PCa patients. There are two critical needs for PET imaging of PCa, early detection of primary lesions and accurate imaging of PCa bone metastasis, the predominant cause of death in PCa. Because the most widely used PET tracer in the clinic, (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-2-D: -glucose ((18)F-FDG), does not meet these needs, a wide variety of PET tracers have been developed for PCa imaging that span an enormous size range from small molecules to intact antibodies. In this review, we will first summarize small-molecule-based... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048900 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048899&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19946788%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Santos DM, Verly RM, Piló-Veloso D, de Maria M, de Carvalho MA, Cisalpino PS, Soares BM, Diniz CG, Farias LM, Moreira DF, Frézard F, Bemquerer MP, Pimenta AM, de Lima ME LyeTx I, an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the venom of Lycosa erythrognatha, known as wolf spider, has been synthesised and its structural profile studied by using the CD and NMR techniques. LyeTx I has shown to be active against bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungi (Candida krusei and Cryptococcus neoformans) and able to alter the permeabilisation of L: -alpha-phosphatidylcholine-liposomes (POPC) in a dose-dependent manner. In POPC containing cholesterol or ergosterol, permeabilisation has either decreased about five times or remained unchanged, respectively. These r... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048899 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3048899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3036398&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19943174%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reviews, in particular, the current knowledge on the anti-retroviral effects of TRIM5alpha and TRIM22. PMID: 19943174 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3036398 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3036398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3036397&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19943175%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Absalan G, Akhond M, Sheikhian L In this paper, partitioning behaviors of typical neutral (Alanine), acidic (Glutamic acid) and basic (Lysine) amino acids into imidazolium-based ionic liquids [C(4)mim][PF(6)], [C(6)mim][PF(6)], [C(8)mim][PF(6)], [C(6)mim][BF(4)] and [C(8)mim][BF(4)] as extracting solvents were examined. [C(6)mim][BF(4)] showed the best efficiency for partitioning of amino acids. The partition coefficients of amino acids in ionic liquids were found to depend strongly on pH of the aqueous solution, amino acid and ionic liquid chemical structures. Different chemical forms of amino acids in aqueous solutions were pH dependent, so the pH value of the aqueous phase was a determining factor for extraction of amino acids into ionic liquid phase. Both water content of ... Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3036397 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3036397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3031266&cid=s_37414_60_f&fid=37414&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D19941016%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barozzino Consiglio G, Gaggini F, Mordini A, Reginato G A simple approach to a new family of enantiomerically enriched polyunsaturated t-Boc-protected-delta-amino esters is described, via microwave promoted Stille coupling of (Z)-methyl-2-bromobutenoate with stannylated allylamines. The reaction conditions are mild and selective and disclose a simple way to 1-substituted butenoates of defined geometry. PMID: 19941016 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Amino Acids) Amino Acids journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3031266 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3031266