International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
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The Effects of Pulsed Inductively Coupled Plasma (PICP) on Physical Properties and Biocompatibility of Crosslinked Gelatin Films.
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In this work, pulsed inductively coupled plasma (PICP) device is introduced to treat crosslinked gelatin film. The effects of plasma on the properties of gelatin film were investigated. Type A gelatin film crosslinked by dehydrothermal process was treated by PICP. The properties of crosslinked gelatin were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), amino acid content assay (TNBS), contact angle measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that pulsed inductively coupled plasma did not significantly affect the thermal behavior and the degree of crosslinking of crosslinked gelatin film...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - November 11, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Isarawut P, Rattachat M, Sorada K, Siriporn D Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Immunomodulatory effect of a Sophora subprosrate polysaccharide in mice.Email this article to a colleague.
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The aims of the present study were to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of a Sophora subprosrate polysaccharide (SSP1) on splenic lymphocyte proliferation, production of cytokines and antioxidant capacities in dexamethasone-induced immunosuppressed mice. The results showed that SSP1 stimulated proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion of murine splenic lymphocytes at concentrations of 50, 100, 200 or 400mg/L in vitro. SSP1 increased the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in immunosuppressed mice induced by subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone at 1.25mg/kg. Administration of SSP1 by intraperito...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - November 4, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Shuai XH, Hu TJ, Liu HL, Su ZJ, Zeng Y, Li YH Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Improved biocompatibility of thrombo-resistant iron-polysaccharides multilayer coatings on Nitinols.Email this article to a colleague.
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Biocompatibility of two multilayer coatings of (Fe(3+)/Hep)(10) and (Fe(3+)/DS/Fe(3+)/Hep)(5) was comparatively analyzed with respect to protein adsorption, leukocyte adhesion and cell-material interaction. Both of them showed significantly high albumin to fibrinogen adsorption ratio, suggesting good biocompatibility. Furthermore, the (Fe(3+)/DS/Fe(3+)/Hep)(5) coating was found to exhibit the lowest non-specific protein adsorption due to the incorporation of dextran sulfate. Compared with uncoated Nitinol surfaces, iron-polysaccharide multilayer coating presented no deformation of leukocytes, indicating no signs of inf...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - November 4, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ma Y, Liu M, Yue X, Zha Z, Dai Z Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Potential antioxidant and anticoagulant capacity of low molecular weight fucoidan fractions extracted from Laminaria japonica.Email this article to a colleague.
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A low molecular weight fucoidan (DFPS), obtained from the brown seaweed Laminaria japonica, was separated into three fractions by anion-exchange column chromatography. All three fractions (DF1, DF2, DF3) predominantly contained variety fucose, galactose and sulfate group. The antioxidant and anticoagulant activities of these fractions were investigated. The results showed that all fractions possessed considerable antioxidant activities, DF1 was most active. All samples inhibited coagulant in APTT, TT and PT assays obviously. Available data presented the content of sulfate group, the molar ratio of sulfate/fucose and su...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 30, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wang J, Zhang Q, Zhang Z, Song H, Li P Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Homology modeling and docking studies of Comamonas testosteroni B-356 biphenyl-2, 3-dioxygenase involved in degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls.Email this article to a colleague.
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Biphenyl dioxygenase is a microbial enzyme which catalyzes the stereospecific dioxygenation of aromatic rings of biphenyl congeners leading to their degradation. Hence, it has attracted the attention of researchers due to its ability to oxidize chlorinated biphenyls, which are one of the serious environmental contaminants. In the present study, the three-dimensional model of alpha-subunit of Biphenyl dioxygenase (BphA) from Comamonas testosteroni B-356 has been constructed. The resulting model was further validated and used for docking studies with a class of chlorinated biphenyls such as biphenyl, 3, 3'-dichlorobiphen...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 29, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: M S Baig , Manickam N Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Physicochemical studies on peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone.Email this article to a colleague.
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Histones are DNA protective proteins and may adopt different structures under nitrosative stress. Peroxynitrite is a powerful oxidant and nitrating agent and has in vivo existence. In this communication, we report effect of peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation and nitration on the structure of calf thymus H3 histone. Fine details of peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone were worked out by UV, fluorescence, circular dichroism & fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel. The results revealed that peroxynitrite mediated nitration and oxidation in H3 histone produced partially folded structure in compariso...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 27, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Dixit K, Khan MA, Sharma YD, Uddin M, Alam K Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharides of Golden needle mushroom in rats.Email this article to a colleague.
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The present study was to investigate chemical components of polysaccharides isolated from Golden needle (GNP) mushroom using High performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Then, anti-inflammatory effect of the polysaccharides was also evaluated. Results indicated that GNP was composed of the three monosaccharide (glucose, mannose and xylose) with a molar ratio of 3.5:0.8:1.4. GNP could significantly decreased CD4(+) CD8(+), ICAM-1, and MPO in serum and colon of normal and burned rats. It could be concluded that GNP possessed strong anti-inflammatory activity in burned r...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wu DM, Duan WQ, Liu Y, Cen Y Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Influences of cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants on alkaline-induced intermediate of bovine serum albumin.Email this article to a colleague.
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The formation of one molten globule-like intermediate of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at pH 11.2 has been established by Circular Dichroism(CD)spectra, fluorescence spectroscopy and 'phase diagram' approach. Three types of surfactants induced alpha-helical structure and resumed the tertiary structure of alkaline-induced BSA intermediate. The internalized tryptophans of the intermediate were exposed to a more polar environment in the presence of surfactants. Induction of both secondary and tertiary structures in alkaline-unfolded BSA was greater in the presence of 3.5mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)followed by 8.0...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Qu P, Lu H, Yan S, Lu Z Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Structure elucidation and antioxidant activity of a novel alpha-(1-->3),(1-->4)-D-glucan from Aconitum Kusnezoffii Reichb.Email this article to a colleague.
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Structure elucidation and antioxidant activity of a novel alpha-(1-->3),(1-->4)-D-glucan from Aconitum Kusnezoffii Reichb.
Int J Biol Macromol. 2009 Oct 26;
Authors: Gao T, Bi H, Ma S, Lu J
Aconitum Kusnezoffii Reichb. has been used as traditional Chinese medicine over the last 2500 years, but its polysaccharides have been paid little attention by now. In present study, a hot alkali extracted polysaccharide (AKP) from A. Kusnezoffii Reichb. was characterized to be an alpha-(1-->3),(1-->4)-D-glucan with Mw 1.4 x 10(5) Da, of which (1-->3)-linked and (1-->4)-linked alpha-Glcp residues were in a ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Gao T, Bi H, Ma S, Lu J Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Purification and characterization of a thermostable phytate resistant alpha-amylase from Geobacillus sp. LH8.Email this article to a colleague.
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A thermophilic and amylolytic bacterium (LH8) was isolated from the hot spring of Larijan in Iran at 65 degrees C. Identification of strain LH8 by 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that LH8 strain belongs to the Geobacillus sp. with 99 % sequence similarity with the 16S rDNA of Geobacillus thermodenitrificans. A new a-amylase (GA) was extracted from this strain and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE showed a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 52 kDa. The optimum temperature and pH were 80 degrees C and 5 to 7, respectively. In the presence of Mn 2+, Ca 2+ +, K, Cr 3+ and Al 3+, the enzyme act...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Mollania N, Khajeh K, Hosseinkhani S, Dabirmanesh B Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Structure-antioxidant relationships of sulfated galactomannan from guar gum.Email this article to a colleague.
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Sulfated polysaccharides exerted potent biological property which was relative to degree of sulfation (DS), M(w), substitution position and chain conformation. In the present study, commercial guar gum was purified and its sulfated derivates with different DS and M(w) were synthesized. FT-IR and (13)C NMR analysis indicated that C-6 substitution was predominant in sulfated samples compared with other positions. In the sulfation reaction, a sharp decrease in M(w) was observed. The d(f) values from 1.92 to 2.85 indicated that the -SO(3)H groups leading to the relatively expanded conformation of sulfated polysaccharides. ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 13, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wang X, Wang J, Zhang J, Zhao B, Yao J, Wang Y Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Physicochemical properties of starch -CMC -nanoclay biodegradable films.Email this article to a colleague.
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Novel citric acid (CA) modified starch(_)carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) (_)montmorillonite (MMT) bionanocomposite films were prepared by casting method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) test showed that the 001 diffraction peak of nanoclay was shifted to lower angles in the bionanocomposites and it may be implied that the clay nanolayers formed an intercalated structure. However, completely exfoliated structure formed only in the pure starch-MMT nanocomposites (without CA and CMC). At the level of 7% MMT, the composite films showed the lowest solubility (7.21%). The MMT addition at content of 7% W/W, caused to increase in ultim...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Almasi H, Ghanbarzadeh B, Entezami AA Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Interaction of sulfur mustard with rat liver salt fractionated chromatin.Email this article to a colleague.
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In this study, the interaction of an alkylating agent, sulfur mustard (SM) with rat liver active (S(1) and S(2)) and inactive (P(2)) chromatin was investigated employing U.V/Vis spectroscopy and gel electrophoreses. The results show that SM affects the chromatin structure in a dose dependent manner. The binding of SM to fractions is different. At lower concentrations (<500muM), SM seems to unfold the structure and at higher concentrations, it induces aggregation and condensation of chromatin possibly via forming cross links between the chromatin components. The extent of condensation in S(2) is higher when compared to t...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Mahvash J, Nateghi M, Rabbani A Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Temperature-Sensitive Supramolecules Self-Assembled by G-Quadruplex DNA.Email this article to a colleague.
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Using Guanine (G)-quadruplexes to construct supramolecular systems receives great attention because G-quadruplexes possess peculiar structural and electronic properties. In this paper, a temperature-sensitive supramolecule self-assembled by G-quadruplexes has been reported, whose structure was demonstrated to be a hexagonal column with rod-shaped G-quadruplex aggregates bundling together.
PMID: 19828117 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules)
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sun H, Xiang J, Zhou Q, Yang Q, Xu G, Tang Y Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Mechanical and structural properties of solution-cast high-amylose maize starch films.Email this article to a colleague.
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Environmental issues have forced the introduction of sustainable solutions such as annually renewable resources being used as a raw material for packaging and disposables. This paper examined the effects of time and temperature during manufacturing and plasticiser content on the molecular structure of high-amylose maize starch films. It also analysed how manufacturing conditions, plasticiser content and molecular structure of the films affected their material properties. It was found that increased time or temperature increased the degradation of amylose and of amylopectin, which in turn negatively affected film cohesi...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Koch K, Gillgren T, Stading M, Andersson R Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Sulfated modification and immunomodulatory activity of water-soluble polysaccharides derived from fresh Chinese persimmon fruit.Email this article to a colleague.
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In this study, three kinds of chemically sulfated polysaccharides (PFP-S) were derived from a water-soluble polysaccharide of persimmon fruit with chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method. Relationship between the degree of substitution and immunomodulatory activity of PFP-S was examined with the splenocytes expariment. The results showed that the splenocytes-activating activity was significantly enhanced by PFP-S in all the groups compared with control group (P<0.01). PFP-SII exhibited the most potent splenocytes-activating activity by increased cytokine production and NO release. It also suggested that the sulfate groups a...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Zhang Y, Lu X, Zhang Y, Qin L, Zhang J Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Physical properties and structure of aquatic silk fiber from Stenopsyche marmorata.Email this article to a colleague.
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To study the properties and structure of aquatic silk, nest-spinning hydropsychid caddisfly (Stenopsyche marmorata) larva were collected from a Japanese river and the silk glands were removed from the larva by dissecting and dried on the glass plate at room temperature. The silk fibers were obtained by removing fibrous materials, which the aquatic insects spun at the bottom of glass container and the microstructure and physical properties of aquatic silk protein fibres and their solid silk protein gland were evaluated. Silk fiber produced by the caddisfly larvae is composed of two filament embedded in a layer of glue. ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tsukada M, Khan MM, Inoue E, Kimura G, Hun JY, Mishima M, Hirabayashi M Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
One-Pot Synthesis of pH- and Thermo-Sensitive Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles by the Polymerization of Acrylic Acid/Chitosan with Macro-RAFT Agent.Email this article to a colleague.
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Thermo- and pH- sensitive chitosan-based nanoparticles were successfully prepared by one-pot polymerization of acrylic acid/chitosan with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) macro-RAFT agent. The spherical and monodisperse nanoparticles were obtained with the diameters of about 100nm at 25 (o)C (pH = 6.5), and PNIPAM was anchored as the shell via the RAFT process. The disorder shell and the large aggregates were observed at 40(o)C (pH = 6.5); and the spherical nanoparticles broke up at 25 (o)C when pH was lowered to 3. This work may provide a facile "one-pot" method to prepare functionalized chitosan-based nanoparticl...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jiang J, Hua D, Tang J Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
structural adaptation of serine hydroxymethyltransferase to low temperatures.Email this article to a colleague.
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Structural adaptation of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a pyridoxal-5<remove-image>-phosphate dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of l-serine and tetrahydropteroylglutamate to glycine and 5,10-methylene-tetrahydropteroylglutamate, synthesized by microorganisms adapted to low temperatures has been analyzed using a comparative approach. The variations of amino acid properties and frequencies among three temperature populations (psychrophilic, mesophilic, hyper- and thermophilic) of SHMT sequences have been tested. SHMTs display a general increase of polarity specially in the core, a m...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 4, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Siglioccolo A, Bossa F, Pascarella S Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Interaction of chaperone alpha-crystallin with unfolded state of alpha-amylase: Implications for reconstitution of the active enzyme.Email this article to a colleague.
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alpha-Crystallin is reported to act like molecular chaperone by suppressing the aggregation of damaged crystallins in eye lens. In this work, it is shown that alpha-crystallin increases the reactivation of guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl)-denatured alpha-amylase from porcine pancreas. 8-Anilinonaphthalene-sulphonate (ANS) binding studies reveal the involvement of hydrophobic interactions in the formation of the complex of alpha-crystallin and alpha-amylase. On the basis of our fluorescence spectroscopic and gel filtration results, we propose that alpha-crystallin blocks the unfavorable pathways that lead to irreversibl...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 24, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kumar A, Singh S Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Zinc-, cobalt- and iron-chelated forms of adenylate kinase from the Gram-negative bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas.Email this article to a colleague.
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Adenylate kinase (AK) from the sulphate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas (AK) has been characterized earlier as a Co(2+)/Zn(2+)-containing enzyme, which is an unusual characteristic for adenylate kinases from Gram-negative bacteria, in which these enzymes are normally devoid of metal ions. AK was overexpressed in E. coli and homogeneous Co(2+)-, Zn(2+)- and Fe(2+)-forms of the enzyme were obtained under in vivo conditions. Their structural stability and spectroscopic and kinetic properties were compared. The thermal denaturation of Co(2+)- and Zn(2+)-forms of AK was studied as a cooperative two-state process, suf...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 24, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kladova AV, Gavel OY, Zhadan GG, Roig MG, Shnyrov VL, Bursakov SA Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
A novel three-dimensional tubular scaffold prepared from silk fibroin by electrospinning.Email this article to a colleague.
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Effects of electrospinning parameters (including voltage, collection distance, solution concentration and flow rate) on the morphology and diameter distribution of regenerated SF (silk fibroin) fiber were investigated. Afterward, SF tubular scaffold composed of homogenous fibers was fabricated at voltage of 18kV, collection distance of 18cm, concentration of 37%, and flow rate of 0.15mL/min. After Methanol treatment, SF tubular scaffold showed tensile strength of 3.57MPa and porosity of 80.85%. It is satisfied that our work offers a simple method to fabricate seamless and porous tubular scaffold from SF without any add...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 18, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Zhou J, Cao C, Ma X Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Insight into the Denaturation Transition of DNA.Email this article to a colleague.
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DNA undergoes a helix-to-coil transition (also called denaturation transition) upon heating. This transition can also be facilitated by using solvent mixtures (for example water-alcohol). An increase in the hydrophobic tail of the second solvent molecule first decreases then increases the melting temperature appreciably. Measurement on 4 % DNA in a series of water-alcohol mixtures shows that the helix-to-coil melting transition is driven by the solvent ability to cross the hydrophobic sugar-rich region. DNA is behaving like a cylindrical micelle.
PMID: 19769999 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Internati...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 17, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Hammouda B Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Use Of Immobilised Biocatalysts In The Processing Of Cheese Whey.Email this article to a colleague.
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Food processing industry operations need to comply with increasingly more stringent environmental regulations related to the disposal or utilisation of by-products and wastes. These include growing restrictions on land spraying with agro-industrial wastes, and on disposal within landfill operations, and the requirements to produce end products that are stabilised and hygienic. Much of the material generated as wastes by the dairy processing industries contains components that could be utilised as substrates and nutrients in a variety of microbial / enzymatic processes, to give rise to added-value products. A good examp...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 16, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kosseva MR, Panesar PS, Kaur G, Kennedy JF Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
A comparison study on microwave-assisted extraction of Artemisia sphaerocephala polysaccharides with conventional method: Molecule structure and antioxidant activities evaluation.Email this article to a colleague.
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The conventional extraction methods for polysaccharides were time-consuming, laborious and energy-consuming. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was employed for the extraction of Artemisia sphaerocephala polysaccharides (ASP), which is a traditional Chinese food. The extracting parameters were optimized by Box-Behnken design. In microwave heating process, a decrease in molecular weight (M(w)) was detected in SEC-LLS measurement. A d(f) value of 2.85 indicated ASP using MAE exhibited as a sphere conformation of branched clusters in aqueous solution. Furthermore, it showed stronger antioxidant activities compa...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wang J, Zhang J, Wang X, Zhao B, Wu Y, Yao J Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
In vitro antiherpetic and antirotaviral activities of a sulfate prepared from Mimosa scabrella galactomannan.Email this article to a colleague.
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A chemically sulfated galactomannan (BRS) from seeds of Mimosa scabrella had in vitro antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), but not against Simian rotavirus A/SA11 (SiRV-A/SA11). It was examined by (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, which showed the sulfate groups to be mainly at C-6 of galactose residues. BRS had a selective inhibition against HSV-1 during its attachment step, having an IC(50) lower than 2.5mug/ml, determined by plaque reduction, and a selectivity index of greater than 181, suggesting that the antiviral effect is likely due to interactions between the virus and BRS, being influenced its over...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 10, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chrestani F, Sierakowski MR, Uchoa DE, Nozawa C, Sassaki GL, Gorin PA, Ono L Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Analyzing the catalytic mechanism of protein tyrosine phosphatase PtpB from Staphylococcus aureus through site directed mutagenesis.Email this article to a colleague.
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Protein tyrosine phosphatase B (PtpB) from Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA 252, is a low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase involved in its pathogenicity. PtpB has been modeled in silico and site directed mutagenesis performed to ascertain the importance of active site residues Cys8, Arg14, Ser15 and Asp120 in its catalytic mechanism. Kinetic characterization of wild-type and the mutant PtpBs, C8S, R14A, S15T, S15A, D120A, D120E, D120N revealed the reaction mechanism followed by this LMWPTPase. The mutations caused major changes in the local environment resulting in significant decrease of its catalytic activity...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - September 7, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Mukherjee S, Dhar R, Das AK Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Dual Behavior of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate as Enhancer or Suppressor of Insulin Aggregation and Chaperone-Like Activity of Camel alphaS(1)-Casein.Email this article to a colleague.
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Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at low concentrations considerably enhanced insulin aggregation and reduced the chaperone-like activity of purified camel <alpha>S(1)-casein (alphaS(1)-CN). These observed changes were the result of repulsive electrostatic interactions between both negative charged head groups of SDS and alphaS1-CN, and the net negative charge of insulin molecules, resulting in the greater exposure of hydrophobic patches of insulin and its enhanced aggregation. In contrast, enhanced hydrophobic interactions were primarily responsible for the conformational changes observed in insulin and alphaS(1)-CN ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Badraghi J, Moosavi-Movahedi AA, Saboury AA, Yousefi R, Sharifzadeh A, Hong J, Haertlé T, Niasari-Naslaji A, Sheibani N Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Photo-polymeriable chitosan derivative prepared by Michael reaction of chitosan and Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA).Email this article to a colleague.
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N-alkyled photo-polymeriable chitosan derivative(PEGDA-CS) was synthesized by Michael reaction of chitosan and Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) under mild reaction conditions. The chemical structure and physical properties of PEGDA-CS were characterized by FT-IR, (1)H-NMR, XRD and TG techniques. The degree of substitution (DS) of PEGDA-CS could be calculated from (1)H-NMR. PEGDA-CS exhibited good solubility in distilled water. XRD analysis showed that PEGDA-CS was amorphous. TG results demonstrated that thermal stability of the derivate was lower than that of chitosan. Antimicrobial test showed that PEGDA-CS had ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 27, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ma G, Zhang X, Han J, Song G, Nie J Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Comparative structural analyses of purified glycogen particles from rat liver, human skeletal muscle and commercial preparations.Email this article to a colleague.
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Glycogen is a cellular energy store that is crucial for whole body energy metabolism, metabolic regulation and exercise performance. To understand glycogen structure we have purified glycogen particles from rat liver and human skeletal muscle tissues and compared their biophysical properties with those found in commercial glycogen preparations. Ultrastructural analysis of commercial liver glycogens fails to reveal the classical alpha-rosette structure but small irregularly shaped particles. In contrast, commercial slipper limpet glycogen consists of beta-particles with similar branching and chain lengths to purified ra...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 27, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ryu JH, Drain J, Kim JH, McGee S, Gray-Weale A, Waddington L, Parker GJ, Hargreaves M, Yoo SH, Stapleton D Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Production and characterization of new families of Polyglucuronic acids from tempo/naocl oxidation of curdlan.Email this article to a colleague.
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Curdlan from Agrobacterium sp. was oxidized using 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)/NaBr/NaClO systems at pH 11. The effects of oxidation conditions on degrees of oxidation and polymerization of the products obtained were studied using SEC-MALLS, NMR and IR analyses. Different families of water-soluble beta-(1,3)-polyglucuronic and beta-(1,3)-polyglucoglucuronic acid sodium salts were quantitatively generated with a yield of 80 % and without significant loss of their molecular weights.Given that beta-(1,3)-polyglucuronic acids prepared from the regioselective oxidation of curdlan by the TEMPO/NaBr/N...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Delattre C, Rios L, Laroche C, Nguyen T, Lecerf D, Picton L, Berthon JY, Michaud P Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Cationic tamarind kernel polysaccharide (Cat TKP): A novel polymeric flocculant for the treatment of textile industry wastewater.Email this article to a colleague.
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Synthesis of cationic tamarind kernel polysaccharide (Cat TKP), its detailed physicochemical characterization and application as an efficient flocculant for the treatment of textile industry wastewater has been investigated. N -3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) was used as a cationic reagent to introduce quaternary amine groups onto the backbone of tamarind kernel polysaccharide (TKP). Various grades were synthesized to obtain the optimized one. Effect of reaction parameters onto degree of cationization has also been investigated. The synthesized polymers were characterized by various macrom...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 24, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Pal S, Ghosh S, Sen G, Jha U, Singh RP Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Effects of Glutathione on Amyloid Fibrillation of Hen Egg-White Lysozyme.Email this article to a colleague.
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This study examined the effects of glutathione on the fibrillation of hen egg-white lysozyme. We found that the fibrillation of lysozyme was considerably reduced by GSH while no anti-aggregating activity was detected with only GSSG. SDS-PAGE results also revealed that the addition of GSH led to an early occurrence of prominent lysozyme hydrolysis. Moreover, GSH was effective in inhibiting lysozyme fibrillation when GSH was added within 6 days of incubation. We conclude that the attenuation of lysozyme fibrillation is strongly dependent upon the redox environment. Our data may contribute to decipher the molecular mechanism ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Wang SS, Chou SW, Liu KN, Wu CH Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Residues Leu52 and Leu134 are important for the structural integrity of a nucleotide exchange factor GrpE from Bacillus licheniformis.Email this article to a colleague.
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A DNA fragment encoding Bacillus licheniformis GrpE (BlGrpE) with double mutations at codons 52 and 134 was obtained during PCR cloning. Leu52 and Leu134 in BlGrpE were individually replaced with Pro and His to generate BlGrpE-L52P and BlGrpE-L134H. BlGrpE and BlGrpE-L52P synergistically stimulated the ATPase activity of B. licheniformis DnaK (BlDnaK); however, BlGrpE-L134H and the double-mutated protein (BlGrpE-L52P/L134H) had no co-chaperone function. BlGrpE, BlGrpE-L52P, and BlGrpE-L134H mainly interacted with the monomer of BlDnaK but non-specific interaction was observed for BlGrpE-L52P/L134H. Measurement of intri...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 5, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Liang WC, Lin MG, Chou WM, Chi MC, Chang HP, Lin LL Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Preparation and characterization of N-heterocyclic chitosan derivatives based gels for biomedical applications.Email this article to a colleague.
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The novel N-heterocyclic chitosan aerogel derivatives were prepared by reacting 79% deacetylated chitosan separately with 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde followed by subsequent solvent exchange into acetone, filteration and lyophilization. The identity of the Schiff bases were confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The N-heterocyclic chitosan derivatives were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo- gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rheological studies and biolog...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 5, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kumar S, Dutta J, Dutta PK Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Radiation crosslinked polymerization of methacrylamide and psyllium to develop antibiotic drug delivery device.Email this article to a colleague.
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Psyllium is a medicinally important polysaccharide and its modification with methacrylamide through radiation crosslinked polymerization will develop hydrogels meant for drug delivery applications. The present paper deals with the preparation of hydrogels and their characterization by SEMs, FTIR, TGA and swelling studies. The release dynamics of model antibiotic drug rifampicin from the hydrogels has been studied for the evaluation of the release mechanism. The values of the diffusion exponent 'n' have been obtained (0.64, 0.58 and 0.57) respectively in distilled water, pH2.2 buffer and pH7.4 buffer. The release of the...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 5, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Singh B, Sharma V, Kumar A, Kumar S Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Optimization and oxidative stability of the microencapsulated conjugated linoleic acid.Email this article to a colleague.
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We used response surface methodology to optimize the preparation conditions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) microcapsules for maximum entrapment efficiency. Three independent variables were used: the ratio of CLA core material to agar and waxy corn starch wall material (X(1)), the temperature of dispersion fluid (X(2)), and the concentration of emulsifier (X(3)). The optimized values of X(1), X(2), and X(3) were found to be 3.82:6.18, 19.97 degrees C, and 0.34%, respectively. The CLA oxidation stability was significantly protected by microencapsultion. These results suggest that CLA-loaded microcapsules can be used a...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 5, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lee JS, Song YB, Lee HG Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
A comparison of Thai silk fibroin-based and chitosan-based materials on in vitro biocompatibility for bone substitutes.Email this article to a colleague.
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The novel hybrid scaffolds fabricated from silk fibroin, gelatin, low deacetylation degree chitosan and hydroxyapatite were investigated for their in vitro biocompatibility and osteoconductivity to mouse pre-osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) and rat bone marrow-derived stem cells (MSC). We found that gelatin-conjugated silk fibroin film and scaffold dominantly promoted cell adhesion and proliferation. Film and scaffold prepared from gelatin-conjugated silk fibroin grown with hydroxyapatite effectively enhanced osteogenic differentiation of both cell types, as evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - August 2, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Vachiraroj N, Ratanavaraporn J, Damrongsakkul S, Pichyangkura R, Banaprasert T, Kanokpanont S Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Inhibition of ATPase activity of Escherichia coli ATP synthase by polyphenols.Email this article to a colleague.
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We have studied the inhibitory effect of five polyphenols namely, resveratrol, piceatannol, quercetin, quercetrin, and quercetin-3-beta-D glucoside on Escherichia coli ATP synthase. Recently published X-ray crystal structures of bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibited by resveratrol, piceatannol, and quercetin, suggest that these compounds bind in a hydrophobic pocket between the gamma-subunit C-terminal tip and the hydrophobic inside of the surrounding annulus in a region critical for rotation of the gamma-subunit. Herein, we show that resveratrol, piceatannol, quercetin, quercetrin, or quercetin-3-beta-d glucosid...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Dadi PK, Ahmad M, Ahmad Z Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Three-dimensional gastric cancer cell culture using nanofiber scaffold for chemosensitivity test.Email this article to a colleague.
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A three-dimensional (3D) culture of cancer cells has long been advocated as a better model of the malignant phenotype that is most closely related to tumorigenicity in vivo. To investigate the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs, nanofiber scaffolds composed of PHBV and collagen peptide were fabricated by electrospinning. A 3D culture of cancer cells was successfully achieved by the use of nanofiber scaffolds. From the result of a chemosensitivity test, it was found that higher concentrations of anticancer drugs were required to achieve a comparable cytotoxic effect in 3D culture due to their structural arc...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kim YJ, Bae HI, Kwon OK, Choi MS Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Molecular cloning, expression in Escherichia coli and production of bioactive homogeneous recombinant human granulocyte and macrophage colony stimulating factor.Email this article to a colleague.
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Human granulocyte and macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) is a glycoprotein that activates and enhances the differentiation and survival of neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages, which play a key role in the innate immune response. Here we describe the construction of the hGM-CSF encoding gene, cloning, expression in Escherichia coli, purification of recombinant hGM-CSF, N-terminal amino acid sequencing, and biological activity assay using TF-1 cells. The results presented show that the combination of experimental strategies employed to obtain recombinant hGM-CSF can yield biologically active protein, and m...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Schwanke RC, Renard G, Chies JM, Campos MM, Junior EL, Santos DS, Basso LA Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
The effects of iodine on kidney bean starch: films and pasting properties.Email this article to a colleague.
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In the present study the effect of iodine on the structural characteristics (by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray) of films made from kidney bean starch was evaluated. The pasting properties as affected by iodine and glycerol were also evaluated. Kidney bean starch showed C-type (mixture of A- and B-type) crystalline structure, the conversion of starch into films resulted into reduction in intensity of diffractograms. The starch powder FTIR spectra had peaks centered at 1020 and 995 cm(-1) with a higher intensity at 1020 cm(-1), which is consistent with a partially crystalline material since fully crystalline material sh...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Singh N, Belton PS, Georget DM Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Effects of immobilization onto aluminum hydroxide particles on the thermally induced conformational behavior of three model proteins.Email this article to a colleague.
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In this study we carefully monitor and analyze the thermal denaturation process of three model proteins adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide as a function of temperature by FT-IR spectroscopy. The results reveal that the proteins immobilized onto aluminum hydroxide retain their native conformation at lower temperatures (<45 degrees C). Upon thermal denaturation, the structural transition between the native and denatured states is very similar, in terms of disappearance of the major native secondary structural elements, between the proteins adsorbed onto aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and in solution. This result suggests that ...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Bai S, Dong A Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Structure of amyloid fibrils of hen egg white lysozyme studied by microbeam X-ray diffraction.Email this article to a colleague.
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Structure of spherical aggregates formed by hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was studied with microbeam X-ray diffraction. Aggregates with a diameter of 50-100 microm were formed after incubation of HEWL at pH 1.6 and 60 degrees C up to 60 days. The scattering from the aggregate in solution showed a marked symmetry demonstrating it as a spherulite. A reflection at 1/0.46 nm(-1) along the fiber axis showed the presence of beta-sheets along the fiber. There were strong equatorial reflections at 1/2.4 and 1/1.2 nm(-1). The similarities to other amyloid fibers suggest that molecules are planar in the direction perpendicular t...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Yagi N, Ohta N, Matsuo T Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Chemical modification and antitumor activities of two polysaccharide-protein complexes from Pleurotus tuber-regium.Email this article to a colleague.
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Two water-soluble polysaccharide-protein complexes, extracted from Pleurotus tuber-regium sclerotia, were modified chemically to obtain their sulfated and carboxymethylated derivatives. While C6 position of glucan was fully substituted, C2, C3, and C4 were only partially substituted by sulfate groups. C3, C4, and C6 position of glucan were partially substituted during the carboxymethylation. Chain conformation and antitumor activity of the native samples and their derivatives were studied. The native samples and derivatives existed in sphere conformation, and showed potent in vitro antitumor activities. Water-solubilit...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang L Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Interaction and complex formation between catalase and cationic polyelectrolytes: chitosan and Eudragit E100.Email this article to a colleague.
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Interactions between catalase and the cationic polyelectrolytes: chitosan and Eudragit E100 have been investigated owing to their scientific and technological importance. These interactions have been characterized by turbidimetry, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy. It was found that the catalase conformation does not change significantly during the chain entanglements between the protein and the polyelectrolytes. The effects of pH, ionic strength and anions which modify the water structure were evaluated on the polymer-protein complex formation. A net coulombic interaction force between them was found si...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Boeris V, Romanini D, Farruggia B, Picó G Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Highly sulphated galactan from Halymenia durvillei (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta), a red seaweed of Madagascar marine coasts.Email this article to a colleague.
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Halymenia durvillei is a red seaweed with a great potential as sulphated galactan producer collected in the coastal waters of small island of Madagascar (Nosy-be in Indian Ocean). To elucidate the structure of its polysaccharide, NMR (1H and 13C), FTIR, HPAEC and different colorimetric methods were carried out. It has been shown that this polysaccharide, consisted mainly of galactose, was branched by xylose and galactose in minor amounts. Arabinose and fucose were also detected. This galactan was found highly sulphated (42%, w/w) and pyruvylated (1.8%, w/w). Analysis of glycosidic linkages by CPG-MS and 13C NMR indicat...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Fenoradosoa TA, Delattre C, Laroche C, Wadouachi A, Dulong V, Picton L, Andriamadio P, Michaud P Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Antioxidative activity of polysaccharide fractions isolated from Lycium barbarum Linnaeus.Email this article to a colleague.
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Antioxidant activity of polysaccharide fractions isolated from Lycium barbarum Linnaeus was evaluated. Polysaccharides were extracted with boiling water, followed by precipitating with ethanol, protein hydrolysis, dialysis, and fractionation with a DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column. A total of 4 fractions, including 1 neutral polysaccharide (LBPN) and 3 acidic polysaccharides were obtained, and compared with crude polysaccharide (CP), crude extract of polysaccharide (CE), deproteinated polysaccharide (DP), and deproteinated and dialyzed polysaccharide (DDP) for antioxidative activity. With the exception of CE and DDP, most p...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lin CL, Wang CC, Chang SC, Inbaraj BS, Chen BH Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Stabilization effects of kosmotrope systems on ornithine carbamoyltransferase.Email this article to a colleague.
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In the present article the influence of salts and additives, such as trehalose, NaCl, ornithine, sodium phosphate and ammonium sulphate, on ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCTase) is investigated in order to study the OCTase stabilization process as a function of solutes and to point out the fundamental role played by an enhancement of hydrophobic interactions. The synergic use of different techniques, such as neutron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, activity and thermal measurements, allows to highlight the cosolute capability to avoid thermal inactivation, to induce important changes in secondary and tertiary enzym...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Barreca D, Bellocco E, Galli G, Laganà G, Leuzzi U, Magazù S, Migliardo F, Galtieri A, Telling MT Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
Molecular interaction of human serum albumin with paracetamol: spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies.Email this article to a colleague.
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The interaction between paracetamol and human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions has been investigated by fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) and docking. Fluorescence data revealed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by paracetamol was the result of the formed complex of HSA-paracetamol, and the binding constant (K(a)) and binding number obtained is 1.3 x 10(4) at 298 K and 2, respectively for the primary binding site. Circular dichorism spectra showed the induced conformational changes in HSA by the binding of paracetamol. Moreover, protein-ligand docking study indicated that paracetamols (two pa...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - June 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Daneshgar P, Moosavi-Movahedi AA, Norouzi P, Ganjali MR, Madadkar-Sobhani A, Saboury AA Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: journals
