| 1. |
- Altai, Mohamed, et al.
(författare)
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Order of amino acids in C-terminal cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators influences cellular processing and biodistribution of Tc-99m-labeled recombinant Affibody molecules
- 2012
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 42:5, s. 1975-1985
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Affibody molecules constitute a novel class of molecular display selected affinity proteins based on non-immunoglobulin scaffold. Preclinical investigations and pilot clinical data have demonstrated that Affibody molecules provide high contrast imaging of tumor-associated molecular targets shortly after injection. The use of cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators at the C-terminus of recombinant Affibody molecules enabled site-specific labeling with the radionuclide Tc-99m. Earlier studies have demonstrated that position, composition and the order of amino acids in peptide-based chelators influence labeling stability, cellular processing and biodistribution of Affibody molecules. To investigate the influence of the amino acid order, a series of anti-HER2 Affibody molecules, containing GSGC, GEGC and GKGC chelators have been prepared and characterized. The affinity to HER2, cellular processing of Tc-99m-labeled Affibody molecules and their biodistribution were investigated. These properties were compared with that of the previously studied Tc-99m-labeled Affibody molecules containing GGSC, GGEC and GGKC chelators. All variants displayed picomolar affinities to HER2. The substitution of a single amino acid in the chelator had an appreciable influence on the cellular processing of Tc-99m. The biodistribution of all Tc-99m-labeled Affibody molecules was in general comparable, with the main difference in uptake and retention of radioactivity in excretory organs. The hepatic accumulation of radioactivity was higher for the lysine-containing chelators and the renal retention of Tc-99m was significantly affected by the amino acid composition of chelators. The order of amino acids influenced renal uptake of some conjugates at 1 h after injection, but the difference decreased at later time points. Such information can be helpful for the development of other scaffold protein-based imaging and therapeutic radiolabeled conjugates.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Håkan S., et al.
(författare)
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The alpha-defensin salt-bridge induces backbone stability to facilitate folding and confer proteolytic resistance
- 2012
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 43:4, s. 1471-1483
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Salt-bridge interactions between acidic and basic amino acids contribute to the structural stability of proteins and to protein-protein interactions. A conserved salt-bridge is a canonical feature of the alpha-defensin antimicrobial peptide family, but the role of this common structural element has not been fully elucidated. We have investigated mouse Paneth cell alpha-defensin cryptdin-4 (Crp4) and peptide variants with mutations at Arg(7) or Glu(15) residue positions to disrupt the salt-bridge and assess the consequences on Crp4 structure, function, and stability. NMR analyses showed that both (R7G)-Crp4 and (E15G)-Crp4 adopt native-like structures, evidence of fold plasticity that allows peptides to reshuffle side chains and stabilize the structure in the absence of the salt-bridge. In contrast, introduction of a large hydrophobic side chain at position 15, as in (E15L)-Crp4 cannot be accommodated in the context of the Crp4 primary structure. Regardless of which side of the salt-bridge was mutated, salt-bridge variants retained bactericidal peptide activity with differential microbicidal effects against certain bacterial cell targets, confirming that the salt-bridge does not determine bactericidal activity per se. The increased structural flexibility induced by salt-bridge disruption enhanced peptide sensitivity to proteolysis. Although sensitivity to proteolysis by MMP7 was unaffected by most Arg(7) and Glu(15) substitutions, every salt-bridge variant was degraded extensively by trypsin. Moreover, the salt-bridge facilitates adoption of the characteristic alpha-defensin fold as shown by the impaired in vitro refolding of (E15D)-proCrp4, the most conservative salt-bridge disrupting replacement. In Crp4, therefore, the canonical alpha-defensin salt-bridge facilitates adoption of the characteristic alpha-defensin fold, which decreases structural flexibility and confers resistance to degradation by proteinases.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Blomstrand, Eva
(författare)
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Amino acids and central fatigue.
- 2001
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 20:1, s. 25-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is an increasing interest in the mechanisms behind central fatigue, particularly in relation to changes in brain monoamine metabolism and the influence of specific amino acids on fatigue. Several studies in experimental animals have shown that physical exercise increases the synthesis and metabolism of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Support for the involvement of 5-HT in fatigue can be found in studies where the brain concentration of 5-HT has been altered by means of pharmacological agents. When the 5-HT level was elevated in this way the performance was impaired in both rats and human subjects, and in accordance with this a decrease in the 5-HT level caused an improvement in running performance in rats. The precursor of 5-HT is the amino acid tryptophan and the synthesis of 5-HT in the brain is thought to be regulated by the blood supply of free tryptophan in relation to other large neutral amino acids (including the branched-chain amino acids, BCAA) since these compete with tryptophan for transport into the brain. Studies in human subjects have shown that the plasma ratio of free tryptophan/BCAA increases during and, particularly, after sustained exercise. This would favour the transport of tryptophan into the brain and also the synthesis and release of 5-HT which may lead to central fatigue. Attempts have been made to influence the 5-HT level by giving BCAA to human subjects during different types of sustained heavy exercise. The results indicate that ingestion of BCAA reduces the perceived exertion and mental fatigue during exercise and improves cognitive performance after the exercise. In addition, in some situations ingestion of BCAA might also improve physical performance; during exercise in the heat or in a competitive race when the central component of fatigue is assumed to be more pronounced than in a laboratory experiment. However, more experiments are needed to further clarify the effect of BCAA and also of tryptophan ingestion on physical performance and mental fatigue.
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| 7. |
- Blomstrand, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Changes in amino acid concentration in plasma and type I and type II fibres during resistance exercise and recovery in human subjects.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 37:4, s. 629-36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Eight male subjects performed leg press exercise, 4 x 10 repetitions at 80% of their maximum. Venous blood samples were taken before, during exercise and repeatedly during 2 h of recovery. From four subjects, biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle prior to, immediately after and following one and 2 h of recovery. Samples were freeze-dried, individual muscle fibres were dissected out and identified as type I or type II. Resistance exercise led to pronounced reductions in the glutamate concentration in both type I (32%) and type II fibres (70%). Alanine concentration was elevated 60-75% in both fibre types and 29% in plasma. Glutamine concentration remained unchanged after exercise; although 2 h later the concentrations in both types of fibres were reduced 30-35%. Two hours after exercise, the plasma levels of glutamate and six of the essential amino acids, including the branched-chain amino acids were reduced 5-30%. The data suggest that glutamate acts as an important intermediate in muscle energy metabolism during resistance exercise, especially in type II fibres.
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| 8. |
- Broberg, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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In-peptide amino acid racemization via inter-residue oxazoline intermediates during acidic hydrolysis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Nature. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 53:3, s. 323-331
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Isopedopeptins are antibiotic cyclic lipodepsipeptides containing the subsequence L-Thr-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid-D-Phe-L-Val/L-3-hydroxyvaline. Acidic hydrolysis of isopedopeptins in D2O showed the D-Phe residues to racemize extensively in peptides with L-3-hydroxyvaline but not in peptides with L-Val. Similarly, one Leu residue in pedopeptins, which are related peptides containing the subsequence Leu-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid-Leu-L-Val/L-3-hydroxyvaline, was found to racemize in peptides with L-3-hydroxyvaline. Model tetrapeptides, L-Ala-L-Phe-L-Val/3-hydroxyvaline-L-Ala, gave the corresponding results, i.e. racemization of L-Phe only when linked to a L-3-hydroxyvaline. We propose the racemization to proceed via an oxazoline intermediate involving Phe/Leu and the L-3-hydroxyvaline residues. The 3-hydroxyvaline residue may form a stable tertiary carbocation by loss of the sidechain hydroxyl group as water after protonation. Elimination of the Phe/Leu H-2 and ring-closure from the carbonyl oxygen onto the carbocation results in the suggested oxazoline intermediate. The reversed reaction leads to either retained or inversed configuration of Phe/Leu. Such racemization during acidic hydrolysis may occur whenever a 3-hydroxyvaline residue or any amino acid that can form a stable carbocation on the C-3, is present in a peptide. The proposed mechanism for racemization was supported by incorporation of O-18 in the 3-hydroxyvaline sidechain when the acidic hydrolysis was performed in H2O/(H2O)-O-18 (1:1). The 2,3-diaminopropanoic residues of isopedopeptins and pedopeptins were also found to racemize during acidic hydrolysis, as previously described. Based on the results, the configuration of the Leu and 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid residues of the pedopeptins were reassigned to be L-Leu and D-Leu, and 2 x L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Castro-Oropeza, R., et al.
(författare)
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Aminooxy analog of histamine is an efficient inhibitor of mammalian l-histidine decarboxylase: combined in silico and experimental evidence
- 2014
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 46:3, s. 621-631
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Histamine plays highlighted roles in the development of many common, emergent and rare diseases. In mammals, histamine is formed by decarboxylation of l-histidine, which is catalyzed by pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent histidine decarboxylase (HDC, EC 4.1.1.22). The limited availability and stability of the protein have delayed the characterization of its structure-function relationships. Our previous knowledge on mammalian HDC, derived from both in silico and experimental approaches, indicates that an effective competitive inhibitor should be capable to form an "external aldimine-like structure" and have an imidazole group, or its proper mimetic, which provides additional affinity of PLP-inhibitor adduct to the HDC active center. This is confirmed using HEK-293 cells transfected to express human HDC and the aminooxy analog of histidine, 4(5)-aminooxymethylimidazole (O-IMHA, IC50 a parts per thousand 2 x 10(-7) M) capable to form a PLP-inhibitor complex (oxime) in the enzyme active center. Taking advantage of the availability of the human HDC X-ray structure, we have also determined the potential interactions that could stabilize this oxime in the active site of mammalian HDC.
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| 12. |
- Cenci Nilsson, Angela
(författare)
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Transcription factors involved in the pathogenesis of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.
- 2002
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 23:1-3, s. 105-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (abnormal involuntary movements) is one of the most debilitating complications of chron-ic L-DOPA pharmacotherapy in Parkinson's disease. It is generally agreed that dyskinesia arises as a consequence of pulsatile dopamine-receptor stimulation in the brain, causing downstream changes in genes and proteins. Advance in our understanding of such changes is critically dependent on the availability of suitable animal models. We have introduced a new method to classify and rate L-DOPA-induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats. This method allows us to dissect the molecular correlates of a dyskinetic motor response to L-DOPA in this species. One of the most prominent molecular changes underlying the development of dyskinesia in the rat consists in the striatal induction of prodynorphin gene expression by L-DOPA. This effect is mediated by FosB-related transcription factors of 32-37 kDa, which are co-induced with prodynophin in striatal neurons of the "direct pathway". Both AIM development and the associated upregulation of prodynorphin mRNA by L-DOPA are significantly inhibited by the intrastriatal infusion of fosB antisense. Antisense-mediated knockdown of CREB (cyclic AMP response-element binding proteins) has however no effect. Our results identify fosB as a potential target for adjunctive antiparkinsonian therapies.
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| 13. |
- Dunstan, R. H., et al.
(författare)
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Sex differences in amino acids lost via sweating could lead to differential susceptibilities to disturbances in nitrogen balance and collagen turnover
- 2017
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 49:8, s. 1337-1345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fluid collected during sweating is enriched with amino acids derived from the skin's natural moisturising factors and has been termed "faux" sweat. Little is known about sex differences in sweat amino acid composition or whether faux sweat amino acid losses affect nitrogen balance. Faux sweat collected by healthy adults (n = 47) after exercise, and at rest by chronic fatigue patients, was analysed for amino acid composition. Healthy females had higher total amino acid concentrations in sweat (10.5 +/- 1.2 mM) compared with healthy males (6.9 +/- 0.9 mM). Females had higher levels of 13 amino acids in sweat including serine, alanine and glycine. Higher hydroxyproline and proline levels suggested greater collagen turnover in females. Modelling indicated that with conservative levels of exercise, amino acid losses in females via faux sweat were triple than those predicted for urine, whereas in males they were double. It was concluded that females were more susceptible to key amino acid loss during exercise and/or hot conditions. Females reporting chronic fatigue had higher levels of methionine in faux sweat than healthy females. Males reporting chronic fatigue had higher levels of numerous amino acids in faux sweat compared to healthy males. Higher amino acid loss in faux sweat associated with chronic fatigue could contribute to a hypometabolic state. Depending on activity levels, climatic conditions and gender, amino acid losses in sweat and skin leachate could influence daily protein turnover where periods of continuously high turnover could lead to a negative net nitrogen balance.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Elkafrawy, Hagar, et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular cystine influences human preadipocyte differentiation and correlates with fat mass in healthy adults
- 2021
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Nature. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 53, s. 1623-1634
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plasma cysteine is associated with human obesity, but it is unknown whether this is mediated by reduced, disulfide (cystine and mixed-disulfides) or protein-bound (bCys) fractions. We investigated which cysteine fractions are associated with adiposity in vivo and if a relevant fraction influences human adipogenesis in vitro. In the current study, plasma cysteine fractions were correlated with body fat mass in 35 adults. Strong positive correlations with fat mass were observed for cystine and mixed disulfides (r >= 0.61, P < 0.001), but not the quantitatively major form, bCys. Primary human preadipocytes were differentiated in media containing cystine concentrations varying from 10-50 mu M, a range similar to that in plasma. Increasing extracellular cystine (10-50 mu M) enhanced mRNA expression of PPARG2 (to sixfold), PPARG1, PLIN1, SCD1 and CDO1 (P = 0.042- < 0.001). Adipocyte lipid accumulation and lipid-droplet size showed dose-dependent increases from lowest to highest cystine concentrations (P < 0.001), and the malonedialdehyde/total antioxidant capacity increased, suggesting increased oxidative stress. In conclusion, increased cystine concentrations, within the physiological range, are positively associated with both fat mass in healthy adults and human adipogenic differentiation in vitro. The potential role of cystine as a modifiable factor regulating human adipocyte turnover and metabolism deserves further study.
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| 16. |
- Engskog, Mikael K R, et al.
(författare)
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The cyanobacterial amino acid beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine perturbs the intermediary metabolism in neonatal rats
- 2013
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Elsevier BV. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 49:5, s. 905-919
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The neurotoxic amino acid β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) is produced by most cyanobacteria. BMAA is considered as a potential health threat because of its putative role in neurodegenerative diseases. We have previously observed cognitive disturbances and morphological brain changes in adult rodents exposed to BMAA during the development. The aim of this study was to characterize changes of major intermediary metabolites in serum following neonatal exposure to BMAA using a non-targeted metabolomic approach. NMR spectroscopy was used to obtain serum metabolic profiles from neonatal rats exposed to BMAA (40, 150, 460mg/kg) or vehicle on postnatal days 9-10. Multivariate data analysis of binned NMR data indicated metabolic pattern differences between the different treatment groups. In particular five metabolites, d-glucose, lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, creatine and acetate, were changed in serum of BMAA-treated neonatal rats. These metabolites are associated with changes in energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Further statistical analysis disclosed that all the identified serum metabolites in the lowest dose group were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. The neonatal rat model used in this study is so far the only animal model that displays significant biochemical and behavioral effects after a low short-term dose of BMAA. The demonstrated perturbation of intermediary metabolism may contribute to BMAA-induced developmental changes that result in long-term effects on adult brain function.
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| 17. |
- Engskog, Mikael K. R., et al.
(författare)
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β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) perturbs alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism pathways in human neuroblastoma cells as determined by metabolic profiling
- 2017
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 49:5, s. 905-919
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- β-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that induces long-term cognitive deficits, as well as an increased neurodegeneration and intracellular fibril formation in the hippocampus of adult rodents following short-time neonatal exposure and in vervet monkey brain following long-term exposure. It has also been proposed to be involved in the etiology of neurodegenerative disease in humans. The aim of this study was to identify metabolic effects not related to excitotoxicity or oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The effects of BMAA (50, 250, 1000 µM) for 24 h on cells differentiated with retinoic acid were studied. Samples were analyzed using LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy to detect altered intracellular polar metabolites. The analysis performed, followed by multivariate pattern recognition techniques, revealed significant perturbations in protein biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism pathways and citrate cycle. Of specific interest were the BMAA-induced alterations in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and as well as alterations in various neurotransmitters/neuromodulators such as GABA and taurine. The results indicate that BMAA can interfere with metabolic pathways involved in neurotransmission in human neuroblastoma cells.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Ericson, Mia, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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beta-alanine elevates dopamine levels in the rat nucleus accumbens: antagonism by strychnine.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Amino acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1438-2199 .- 0939-4451. ; 38:4, s. 1051-1055
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Glycine receptors (GlyRs) in the nucleus accumbens (nAc) have recently been suggested to be involved in the reinforcing and dopamine-elevating properties of ethanol via a neuronal circuitry involving the VTA. Apart from ethanol, both glycine and taurine have the ability to modulate dopamine output via GlyRs in the same brain region. In the present study, we wanted to explore whether yet another endogenous ligand for the GlyR, beta-alanine, had similar effects. To this end, we monitored dopamine in the nAc by means of in vivo microdialysis and found that local perfusion of beta-alanine increased dopamine output. In line with previous observations investigating ethanol, glycine and taurine, the competitive GlyR antagonist strychnine completely blocked the dopamine elevation. The present results suggest that beta-alanine has the ability to modulate dopamine levels in the nAc via strychnine-sensitive GlyRs, and are consistent with previous studies suggesting the importance of this receptor for modulating dopamine output.
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| 20. |
- Eriksson, Johan, 1967-, et al.
(författare)
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Improving derivatization efficiency of BMAA utilizing AccQ-Tag ia a complex cyanobacterial matrix
- 2009
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - wien : Springer. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; :36, s. 43-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two different assays have been developed and used in order to investigate the optimal conditions for derivatization and detection of acid β-N-methyl-amino-l-alanine (BMAA) in a cyanobacterial sample. BMAA was extracted from cyanobacterial cultures both from the cytosolic (“free”) fraction and in the precipitated (“protein”) fraction using a newly developed extraction scheme and the sample matrix was standardized according to protein concentration to ensure the highest possible derivative yield. A rapid and sensitive HPLC method for fluorescence detection of the non-protein amino acid BMAA in cyanobacteria, utilizing the Waters AccQ-Tag® chemistry and Chromolith® Performance RP-18e columns was developed. Using this new method and utilizing a different buffer system and column than that recommended by Waters, we decreased the time between injections by 75%. The limit of quantification was determined to be 12 nmol and limit of detection as 120 fmol. The linear range was in the range of 8.5 nmol–84 pmol. Accuracy and precision were well within FDA guidelines for bioanalysis.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Ghasemzadeh, Nasim, et al.
(författare)
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Application of artificial gel antibodies for investigating molecular polymorphisms of human pituitary growth hormone
- 2011
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 40:4, s. 1249-1255
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Artificial gel-antibodies were used to probe human growth hormone (GH) activity in hormone preparations purified from human pituitaries. A partially purified fraction containing differently sized forms of the hormone was further processed to yield monomeric and dimeric forms of GH activity suitable for synthesizing artificial polyacrylamide gel antibodies. These two types of GH antibodies were used for probing GH activity in experiments analyzing the two forms of the hormone by HPLC gel-permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. In the size-exclusion experiments both hormone fractions eluted as homogenous peaks, whereas the ion exchanger resolved the hormones in several active components. The antibodies towards the GH monomer were more potent to recognize monomeric GH compared to antibodies against dimeric GH. The opposite was found for the dimeric GH antibodies. It was concluded that these two sets of antibodies it might be useful for discriminating between dimeric and monomeric GH in samples of clinical origin.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Hammarqvist, Folke, et al.
(författare)
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Age-related changes of muscle and plasma amino acids in healthy children
- 2010
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 39:2, s. 359-366
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the study was to explore if changes in muscle and plasma amino acid concentrations developed during growth and differed from levels seen in adults. The gradient and concentrations of free amino acids in muscle and plasma were investigated in relation to age in metabolic healthy children. Plasma and specimens from the abdominal muscle were obtained during elective surgery. The children were grouped into three groups (group 1: < 1 year, n = 8; group 2: 1-4 years, n = 13 and group 3: 5-15 years, n = 15). A reference group of healthy adults (21-38 years, n = 22) was included in their comparisons and reflected specific differences between children and adults. In muscle the concentrations of 8 out of 19 amino acids analysed increased with age, namely taurine, aspartate, threonine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, as well as the total sums of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), basic amino acids (BAA) and total sum of amino acids (P < 0.05). In plasma the concentrations of threonine, glutamine, valine, cysteine, methionine, leucine, lysine, tryptophane, arginine, BCAA, BAA and the essential amino acids correlated with age (P < 0.05). These results indicate that there is an age dependency of the amino acid pattern in skeletal muscle and plasma during growth.
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| 26. |
- Heby, Olle, et al.
(författare)
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Targeting the polyamine biosynthetic enzymes: a promising approach to therapy of African sleeping sickness, Chagas' disease, and leishmaniasis
- 2007
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 33:2, s. 359-366
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Trypanosomatids depend on spermidine for growth and survival. Consequently, enzymes involved in spermidine synthesis and utilization, i.e. arginase, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC), spermidine synthase, trypanothione synthetase (TryS), and trypanothione reductase (TryR), are promising targets for drug development. The ODC inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is about to become a first-line drug against human late-stage gambiense sleeping sickness. Another ODC inhibitor, 3-aminooxy-1-aminopropane (APA), is considerably more effective than DFMO against Leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes multiplying in macrophages. AdoMetDC inhibitors can cure animals infected with isolates from patients with rhodesiense sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis, but have not been tested on humans. The antiparasitic effects of inhibitors of polyamine and trypanothione formation, reviewed here, emphasize the relevance of these enzymes as drug targets. By taking advantage of the differences in enzyme structure between parasite and host, it should be possible to design new drugs that can selectively kill the parasites.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Jin, Zhe, et al.
(författare)
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GABA is an effective immunomodulatory molecule
- 2013
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 45:1, s. 87-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, it has become clear that there is an extensive cross-talk between the nervous and the immune system. Somewhat surprisingly, the immune cells themselves do express components of the neuronal neurotransmitters systems. What role the neurotransmitters, their ion channels, receptors and transporters have in immune function and regulation is an emerging field of study. Several recent studies have shown that the immune system is capable of synthesizing and releasing the classical neurotransmitter GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid). GABA has a number of effects on the immune cells such as activation or suppression of cytokine secretion, modification of cell proliferation and GABA can even affect migration of the cells. The immune cells encounter GABA when released by the immune cells themselves or when the immune cells enter the brain. In addition, GABA can also be found in tissues like the lymph nodes, the islets of Langerhans and GABA is in high enough concentration in blood to activate, e.g., GABA-A channels. GABA appears to have a role in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis and may modulate the immune response to infections. In the near future, it will be important to work out what specific effects GABA has on the function of the different types of immune cells and determine the underlying mechanisms. In this review, we discuss some of the recent findings revealing the role of GABA as an immunomodulator.
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| 30. |
- Johansson, Veronica, et al.
(författare)
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Novel anti-apoptotic effect of the retinoblastoma protein: implications for polyamine analogue toxicity.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 42, s. 929-937
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The retinoblastoma protein (pRb) pathway is frequently altered in breast cancer cells. pRb is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death. The breast cancer cell line L56Br-C1 does not express pRb and is extremely sensitive to treatment with the polyamine analogue N (1),N (11)-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) which causes apoptosis. Polyamines are essential for the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and cell death. DENSPM depletes cells of polyamines, e.g., by inducing the activity of the polyamine catabolic enzyme spermidine/spermine N (1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT). In this study, L56Br-C1 cells were transfected with human pRb-cDNA. Overexpression of pRb inhibited DENSPM-induced cell death and DENSPM-induced SSAT activity. This suggests that the pRb protein level is a promising marker for polyamine depletion sensitivity and that there is a connection between pRb and the regulation of SSAT activity. We also show that SSAT protein levels and SSAT activity do not always correlate, suggesting that there is an unknown regulation of SSAT
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Karjalainen, Hannu, et al.
(författare)
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Chondrocytic cells express the taurine transporter on their plasma membrane and regulate its expression under anisotonic conditions
- 2015
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - Vienna, Austria : Springer. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 47:3, s. 561-570
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Taurine is a small organic osmolyte which participates in cell volume regulation. Chondrocytes have been shown to accumulate and release taurine; in bone, taurine participates in bone metabolism. However, its role in skeletal cells is poorly understood, especially in chondrocytes. This study investigated the regulation of taurine transporter in chondrocytic cells. We examined the transcriptional regulation of the taurine transporter under anisotonia by reporter gene and real-time RT-PCR assays. The effect of providing supplementary taurine on cell viability was evaluated with the lactate dehydrogenase release assay. The localization of the taurine transporter in human chondrosarcoma cells was studied by overexpressing a taurine transporter-enhanced green fluorescent protein. We observed that the transcription of the taurine transporter gene was up-regulated in hypertonic conditions. Hyperosmolarity-related cell death could be partly abolished by taurine supplementation in the medium. As expected, the fluorescently labeled taurine transporter localized at the plasma membrane. In polarized epithelial MDCK cells, the strongest fluorescence signal was located in the lateral cell membrane area. We also observed that the taurine transporter gene was expressed in several human tissues and malignant cell lines. This is the first study to present information on the transcriptional regulation of taurine transporter gene and the localization of the taurine transporter protein in chondrocytic cells.
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- Mitran, Bogdan, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC affibody molecule, a new probe for imaging of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor expression
- 2015
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 47:2, s. 303-315
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) in several cancers is associated with resistance to therapy. Radionuclide molecular imaging of IGF-1R expression in tumors may help in selecting the patients that will potentially respond to IGF-1R-targeted therapy. Affibody molecules are small (7 kDa) non-immunoglobulin-based scaffold proteins that are well-suited probes for radionuclide imaging. The aim of this study was the evaluation of an anti-IGF-1R affibody molecule labeled with technetium-99m using cysteine-containing peptide-based chelator GGGC at C-terminus. Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC was efficiently and stably labeled with technetium-99m (radiochemical yield 97 +/- A 3 %). Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC demonstrated specific binding to IGF-1R-expressing DU-145 (prostate cancer) and MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell lines and slow internalization in vitro. The tumor-targeting properties were studied in BALB/c nu/nu mice bearing DU-145 and MCF-7 xenografts. [Tc-99m(CO)(3)](+)-(HE)(3)-Z(IGF1R:4551) was used for comparison. The biodistribution study demonstrated high tumor-to-blood ratios (6.2 +/- A 0.9 and 6.9 +/- A 1.0, for DU-145 and MCF-7, respectively, at 4 h after injection). Renal radioactivity concentration was 16-fold lower for Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC than for [Tc-99m(CO)(3)](+)-(HE)(3)-Z(IGF1R:4551) at 4 h after injection. However, the liver uptake of Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC was 1.2- to 2-fold higher in comparison with [Tc-99m(CO)(3)](+)-(HE)(3)-Z(IGF1R:4551). A possible reason for the elevated hepatic uptake of Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC is a high lipophilicity of amino acids in the binding site of Z(IGF1R:4551), which is not compensated in Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC. In conclusion, Tc-99m-Z(IGF1R:4551)-GGGC can visualize the IGF-1R expression in human tumor xenografts and provides low retention of radioactivity in kidneys. Further development of this imaging agent should include molecular design aimed at reducing the hepatic uptake.
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- Odenlund, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Polyamine synthesis inhibition induces S phase cell cycle arrest in vascular smooth muscle cells.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 36, s. 273-282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Polyamines are important for cell growth and proliferation and they are formed from arginine and ornithine via arginase and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Arginine may alternatively be metabolised to NO via NO synthase. Here we study if vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation can be reversed by polyamine synthesis inhibitors and investigate their mechanism of action. Cell proliferation was assessed in cultured vascular smooth muscle A7r5 cells and in endothelium-denuded rat arterial rings by measuring [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation and by cell counting. Cell cycle phase distribution was determined by flow cytometry and polyamines by HPLC. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The ODC inhibitor DFMO (1-10 mM) reduced polyamine concentration and attenuated proliferation in A7r5 cells and rat tail artery. DFMO accumulated cells in S phase of the cell cycle and reduced cyclin A expression. DFMO had no effect on cell viability and apoptosis as assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Polyamine concentration and cellular proliferation were not affected by the arginase inhibitor NOHA (100-200 muM) and the NO synthase inhibitor L: -NAME (100 muM). Lack of effect of NOHA was reflected by absence of arginase expression. Polyamine synthesis inhibition attenuates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by reducing DNA synthesis and accumulation of cells in S phase, and may be a useful approach to prevent vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in cardiovascular diseases.
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- Oroujeni, Maryam, PhD, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of composition of cysteine-containing peptide-based chelators on biodistribution of Tc-99m-labeled anti-EGFR affibody molecules
- 2018
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 50:8, s. 981-994
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in a number of cancers and is the molecular target for several anti-cancer therapeutics. Radionuclide molecular imaging of EGFR expression should enable personalization of anti-cancer treatment. Affibody molecule is a promising type of high-affinity imaging probes based on a non-immunoglobulin scaffold. A series of derivatives of the anti-EGFR affibody molecule ZEGFR:2377, having peptide-based cysteine-containing chelators for conjugation of Tc-99m, was designed and evaluated. It was found that glutamate-containing chelators Gly-Gly-Glu-Cys (GGEC), Gly-Glu-Glu-Cys (GEEC) and Glu-Glu-Glu-Cys (EEEC) provide the best labeling stability. The glutamate containing conjugates bound to EGFR-expressing cells specifically and with high affinity. Specific targeting of EGFR-expressing xenografts in mice was demonstrated. The number of glutamate residues in the chelator had strong influence on biodistribution of radiolabeled affibody molecules. Increase of glutamate content was associated with lower uptake in normal tissues. The Tc-99m-labeled variant containing the EEEC chelator provided the highest tumor-to-organ ratios. In conclusion, optimizing the composition of peptide-based chelators enhances contrast of imaging of EGFR-expression using affibody molecules.
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| 48. |
- Paluszkiewicz, Piotr, et al.
(författare)
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High concentration of kynurenic acid in bile and pancreatic juice
- 2009
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Ingår i: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 37:4, s. 637-641
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an agonist of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR35, which is predominantly expressed in gastrointestinal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the content of KYNA in gastric juice, bile and pancreatic juice and intestinal content. KYNA was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography. The mean concentrations of KYNA in human gastric juice is 9.91 +/- A 0.71 nM in contrast to human bile (832.5 +/- A 204.1 and 306.8 +/- A 35.2 nM) obtained from patients with cholecystolithiasis and obstructive jaundice, respectively. In pigs, the KYNA levels in bile and pancreatic juice are 1,113.3 +/- A 63.34 and 757.0 +/- A 394.4 nM, respectively. The KYNA concentration increases along the digestive system, reaching 1,638 nM in the colon content. We suggest that the liver and pancreas affect the content of kynurenic acid in the lumen of the digestive tract.
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| 49. |
- Persson, Mikael, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Microglial self-defence mediated through GLT-1 and glutathione.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Amino acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 42:1, s. 207-219
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Glutamate is stored in synaptic vesicles in presynaptic neurons. It is released into the synaptic cleft to provide signalling to postsynaptic neurons. Normally, the astroglial glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST take up glutamate to mediate a high signal-to-noise ratio in the synaptic signalling, and also to prevent excitotoxic effects by glutamate. In astrocytes, glutamate is transformed into glutamine, which is safely transported back to neurons. However, in pathological conditions, such as an ischemia or virus infection, astroglial transporters are down-regulated which could lead to excitotoxicity. Lately, it was shown that even microglia can express glutamate transporters during pathological events. Microglia have two systems for glutamate transport: GLT-1 for transport into the cells and the x (c) (-) system for transport out of the cells. We here review results from our work and others, which demonstrate that microglia in culture express GLT-1, but not GLAST, and transport glutamate from the extracellular space. We also show that TNF-α can induce increased microglial GLT-1 expression, possibly associating the expression with inflammatory systems. Furthermore, glutamate taken up through GLT-1 may be used for direct incorporation into glutathione and to fuel the intracellular glutamate pool to allow cystine uptake through the x (c) (-) system. This can lead to a defence against oxidative stress and have an antiviral function.
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