Characterization of a new bradykinin-potentiating peptide (TmF) from Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus

A novel bradykinin-potentiating peptide (BPP), designated as TmF, has been purified to homogeneity from the venom of Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus by 70% cold methanol extraction, Sephadex G-15 gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The amino acid sequence of TmF was determined to be pGlu-Gly-Arg-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Pro-Ile-Pro-Pro (pGlu denotes pyroglutamic acid), which shared high homology with other BPPs. The molecular mass of TmF was 1.1107 kD as determinated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which was in accordance with the calculated value of 1.1106 kD. The potentiating "unit" of TmF to bradykinin-induced (BK-induced) contraction on the guinea-pig ileum in vitro was (1.13 +/- 0.3) unit (mg/L), and TmF (5.0 x 10(-4) mg/kg) increased the pressure-lowering-effect of bradykinin (5.0 x 10(-5) mg/kg) with approximate descent value of (14 +/- 2) mmHg. In addition, TmF inhibited the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin 11, 2 x 10(-3) mg of TmF caused 50% inhibition (IC50) of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) hydrolyzing activity to bradykinin.

Characterization of triterpenoidic saponin mixture in crude extracts from leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms by saponin structural correlation and mass spectrometry

Eighteen triterpenoidic saponins in crude extracts from leaves of Acanthopanax senticous Harms have been investigated by electrospray ionization multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. In ESI-MS spectra, predominant [M + Na](+) ions in the positive ion mode have been observed for molecular mass information. Meanwhile, specific structural correlations between these ions are firstly found. The 18 peaks (ions) can be classified into three groups (group D, E, and F with mass increase) with each group including six peaks. There is a mass difference of 132 Da between group D and E for each corresponding peak in turn (for example peak 1 to peak 7), indicating one more pentose residue was attached to saponins in group E than those corresponding in group D. The mass difference of 146 Da between group E and F implies one more deoxy-hexose attached to saponins in group F than those corresponding in group E. The structural correlations of the corresponding ions are confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry and high-re solution mass spectrometry. These structural features can not only facilitate the rapid characterization of the native known saponins in crude plant extracts, thus avoiding tedious derivation and separation of saponins, but also help find novel compounds of the same type in a specific medicinal plant.

Preparation, structural characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of kappa-carrageenan oligosaccharide fraction from Kappaphycus striatum

Oligosaccharides were prepared through mild hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of kappa-carrageenan from Kappaphycus striatum to compare the antitumor activity with carrageenan polysaccharides. Oligosaccharide fractions were isolated by gel permeation chromatography and the structure of fraction 1 (F1) was studied by using negative- ion electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and H-1 and C-13-NMR spectrometry. The in vitro antitumor effects in three human neoplastic cell lines (KB, BGC, and Hela) of polysaccharides and F1 were investigated. The bioassay results showed that F1 exhibited relatively higher antitumor activity against the three cancer cells than polysaccharides.

Determinations of residual furazolidone and its metabolite, 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), in fish feeds by HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS, respectively

The antibacterial drug furazolidone belonging to the group of nitrofuran antibacterial agents has been widely used as an antibacterial and antiprotozoal feed additive for poultry, cattle, and farmed fish in China. During application a large proportion of the administered drug may reach the environment directly or via feces. Although the use of furazolidone is prohibited in numerous countries, there are indications of its illegal use. It is known that furazolidone can be rapidly metabolized to 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) in the body of the target organism. In this study, a total of 21 fish feed samples, including 17 commercial fish feeds from local markets in China (representing 15 different formulations) and 4 fish feeds obtained from Germany and Turkey, respectively, are analyzed to determine whether the drug is still illegally used or commercially available feeds are contaminated by this drug. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) methods have been implemented to determine furazolidone and its metabolite AOZ in fish feeds containing animal protein, respectively. An efficient and convenient cleanup method for the determination of furazolidone in fish feeds is developed, and a simple cleanup method for the determination of AOZ is used. Method recoveries for samples used were determined as 87.7-98.3% for furazolidone at two spike levels of 2.0 and 5.0 ng g(-1) and as 95.6-102.8% for AOZ at spike levels of 0.4 and 0.8 ng g(-1). Limits of detections were 0.4 ng g(-1) for furazolidone and 0.05 ng g(-1) for AOZ. The established methods are therefore suitable for the determination of furazolidone and its metabolite AOZ in fish feeds at trace contamination levels. Using the established methods, all fish feed samples have been proved to be furazolidone negative; however, AOZ is tested in 16 of 17 fish feeds obtained from local markets in the Hubei province of China, with a positive rate as high as 94.1%.

Studies on the components of crude and processed Fructus Corni by ESI-MSn

The components of crude and processed Fructus Corni were investigated by means of electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry(ESI-MSn) technique in the negative ion mode. Compared with those of crude Fructus Corni, the chemical components of the processed Fructus Corni were changed both in quality and in quantity. From the ESI-MS spectra of the crude and processed Fructus Corni, six peaks were selected to establish the characteristic ESI-MS peaks. Several factors in the processing procedure were examined.

Studies on the stability of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids from the genus Aconitum L. by high performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI/MSn)

The stability of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids (DDA) from plants of the genus Aconitum L. has been studied in different solvents and pH buffers. The HPLC/ESIMS method for analysing the concentration of DDA was established and DDA's decomposition products were elucidated by HPLC/ESI-MS/MSn. In different solvents, e.g. dichloromethane, ether, methanol and distilled water, the decomposition pathways of DDA are quite different and their difference in stabilities depends on the difference of their structures, in which substituents at the N atom and substituents at C-3 are different. The pyrolytic products of DDA, such as deacetoxy aconitine-type alkaloids, have been observed in the above solvents, whereas 8-methoxy-14-benzoyl aconitine-type alkaloids have been obtained only in methanol.

Structural elucidation and identification of alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Simple, convenient, sensitive and accurate analytical methods are needed for the structural characterization and identification of alkaloid components in Rhizoma Coptidis in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which has important bioactivity. In this work, the identification of alkaloid compounds in Rhizoma Coptidis was investigated by obtaining molecular mass information using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Multi-stage tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MSn) data for the alkaloid compounds were used for detailed structural characterization, then structure information was obtained by comparison of the fragmentation mechanisms of both alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis and standard samples of berberine, palmatine, coptisine and jatrorrhizine by MS. Based on the results obtained, the structure of a novel compound was elucidated. The results of the experiments demonstrate that ESI-MSn is a sensitive, selective and effective tool for the rapid determination of alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis.

Analysis of norditerpenoid alkaloids extracted from Aconitum sinomantanum Nakai by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was applied simultaneously in determining norditerpenoid alkaloids from the roots of Aconitum sinomantanum Nakai ( RAS) based on molecular mass information. The tandem mass spectra (ESI-MSn) provided the alkaloidal structural information, through which the existence of these alkaloids was further confirmed. Accordingly, six known norditerpenoid alkaloids were simultaneously determined on the basis of their ESI-MSn spectra. Furthermore, based on the diagnostic fragmentation pathways of alkaloidal MSn, a rapid method for direct detection and characterization of alkaloids from an ethanolic extract of RAS was described.

A new naphthoquinoneimine derivative from the marine algal-derived endophytic fungus Aspergillus niger EN-13

Cultivation of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus niger EN-13 that was isolated from the inner tissue of the marine brown alga Colpomenia sinuosa resulted in the characterization of a new naphthoquinoneimine derivative, namely, 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[1-(4methoxy-6-oxo-6H-pyran-2-yl)-2-phenylethylaniino]-[1,4]naphthoquinone. The structure of the new compound was established on the basis of various NMR spectroscopic analyses including 2D NMR techniques, EI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS. This compound displayed moderate antifungal activity. (c) 2007 Bin Gui Wang. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Identification of ginsenosides in roots of Panax ginseng by HPLC-APCI/MS

A new HPLC-APCI/MS method for the identification of ginsenosides has been developed. The analyses were performed on a reversed-phase C-18 column using a binary eluent (acetonitrile and water) under gradient conditions. Although APCI is a high-temperature evaporative process, HPLC-APCI/MS could effectively identify thermo-labile ginsenosides. The [M-H](-) ions and the thermal degradation ions of ginsenosides could be clearly observed under negative and positive ion conditions, respectively, and these were used to identify the molecular masses, the aglycone structures and the sugar groups of ginsenosides. APCI/MS can provide more explicit information than ESI/MS for identifying and distinguishing ginsenosides. Using the HPLC-APCI/MS method, 35 ginsenosides were identified in Panax ginseng. Copyright (C) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis, spectral, and thermal characterizations of Ni(II) and Cu(II) beta-diketone complexes with thenoyltrifluoroacetone ligand

Two kinds of nickel(II) and copper(II) P-diketone complexes derived from thenoyltrifluoroacetone ligand with blue-violet light absorption were synthesized by reacting free ligand and different metal(II) ions in sodium methoxide solution. Their structures were postulated based on elemental analysis, ESI-MS, FT-IR spectra and UV-vis electronic absorption spectra. Smooth films on K9 glass substrates were prepared using the spin-coating method. Their solubility in organic solvents, absorption properties of thin film and thermal stability of these complexes were evaluated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes containing 2-(2-(5-substitued isoxazol-3-yl)hydrazono)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione ligands: Synthesis, spectral and thermal characterizations

Two new hydrazone chelating ligands, 2-(2-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)hydrazono)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (HL1) and 2-(2-(5-tert-butylisoxazol-3-yl)hydrazono)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane- 1,3-dione (HL2), and their nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes were synthesized using the procedure of diazotization, coupling and metallization. Their structures were postulated based on elemental analysis, H-1 NMR, ESI-MS, FT-IR spectra and UV-vis electronic absorption spectra. Smooth films of these complexes on K9 glass substrates were prepared using spin-coating and their absorption properties were evaluated. The thermal properties of the metal(II) complexes were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermogravimetry (DTG). Different thermodynamic and kinetic parameters namely activation energy (E

Nifedipine调节白皮松(Pinus bungeana)花粉管蛋白质表达及其对细胞壁构建的影响

花粉管是种子植物受精过程中的雄性生殖单位的载体，由于其生长依赖于胞内Ca2+梯度，并具有典型的顶端极性生长的特点，因而成为近年来研究植物细胞相互识别、胞内和胞外信号传导理想的模式系统。裸子植物花粉与被子植物相比具有萌发时间长、生长缓慢等特点。Ca2+在裸子植物花粉萌发和花粉管生长中的作用机制目前尚不明确。本研究以裸子植物白皮松(Pinus bungeana)的花粉为材料，运用不同浓度钙通道抑制剂Nifedipine（Nif）处理，对其花粉萌发和花粉管生长进行了细胞学研究和蛋白质组学分析，以探讨Ca2+对白皮松花粉生长的调控机制，为进一步揭示裸子植物花粉萌发和花粉管生长机理提供参考。 本论文首先研究了钙通道抑制剂Nif和Ca2+螯合剂EGTA对白皮松花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响。结果表明，用Nif处理花粉后，花粉萌发和花粉管生长均受到明显抑制。经Ca2+荧光探针Fluo-3AM标记，对Nif处理后Ca2+在花粉管中的分布模式进行了观察，发现Ca2+在正常生长的花粉管中呈梯度分布，并在其顶端的荧光最强。与对照相比，处理后的花粉管荧光强度明显减弱，且顶端Ca2+梯度消失。通过EGTA漂洗后的花粉粒，在正常培养基上萌发率较高，但其生长速率受到抑制。由此说明了细胞壁钙库对花粉管生长的抑制效应显著高于对花粉萌发的影响，是花粉管生长的限速因子。同时外加钙调素还可逆转EGTA对其花粉萌发和花粉管生长的抑制。上述结果表明，白皮松花粉萌发及花粉管生长需要外源Ca2+的内流，以及胞内形成的Ca2+浓度梯度。 用FM4-64探针标记结果发现，正常花粉管中的胞吞作用主要发生在顶端和亚顶端区域，胞吞的小泡也集中分布在这两个区域。经Nif处理后，既不影响花粉管的胞吞过程，同时胞吞发生的位置也与对照相似，只是胞吞的小泡分散于整个花粉管中。电子显微镜观察表明，各种细胞器在白皮松正常生长的花粉管中分布与被子植物存在较大差异，例如前者无明显地分区现象，不具胼胝质塞。白皮松花粉管顶端和亚顶端的壁旁体与质膜融合现象频繁发生。花粉管经Nif处理后，线粒体出现不同程度的解体和液泡化，内质网液泡化和核糖体脱落，液泡大量聚集在花粉管顶端，壁旁体与膜融合现象减少，以及花粉管壁明显变薄等。此外，通过微丝特异性探针鬼笔环肽标记结果表明，正常生长花粉管的微丝呈长轴向排列， Nif处理后微丝断裂，其断裂程度与处理浓度有关。由此可见，外源Ca2+对花粉管的胞吞无明显抑制或促进作用，但对胞吞小泡重回收可能有影响。当胞内Ca2+梯度消失后，则明显抑制了微丝骨架的聚合，进而使胞吐作用减缓，高尔基体分泌小泡聚集，多种细胞器液泡化，引起花粉管顶端膨大，细胞壁变薄，继而抑制花粉管的正常生长。 运用免疫荧光标记技术显示，正常生长的花粉管壁含有纤维素、胼胝质、果胶质和阿拉伯半乳聚糖蛋白（AGPs），其中纤维素和胼胝质在细胞壁上呈均匀分布，而酸性果胶质只存在花粉管两侧壁上，酯化果胶分布于花粉管顶端。经过Nif处理后，胼胝质和酸性果胶质均在花粉管顶端累积，而AGPs和纤维素的分布却无明显变化。另外，傅里叶红外光谱分析结果也同样支持上述结论。通过花粉管壁蛋白的SDS-PAGE分析表明，Nif对细胞壁蛋白的合成也有较大的影响。 在花粉管的钙通道受到抑制后，应用蛋白质组学技术分析其蛋白质的表达图谱，通过双向电泳已分离出约1000个蛋白质斑点，经软件分析发现，除其中50个蛋白斑点外，大部分蛋白质的表达量均未发生变化。上述50个发生变化的蛋白斑点酶切后，再经过ESI－MS/MS鉴定和质谱数据库的搜索，共鉴定出28个蛋白，其中12个为上调蛋白，16个下调蛋白，根据其主要功能分为与代谢、细胞扩展、翻译后修饰以及信号相关的蛋白。经过Nif处理后，花粉管中碳水化合物代谢能力下降，ATP的产生受到抑制，参与细胞壁多糖合成及小泡运输的蛋白，如valosin containing protein（VCP）、reversibly glycolsylated polypeptide(RGP)、UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGDH)和α-tubulin表达下调。另外，通过上述方法还鉴定出与丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶保守结构域同源的受体蛋白激酶等。 综上所述，白皮松花粉管钙通道受到抑制后，通过影响花粉管蛋白的表达，抑制微丝微管骨架的组装，致使胞吐速度变慢，花粉管壁酸性果胶质、胼胝质等多糖分布的变化及总多糖含量的减少，最终抑制了花粉管的正常生长。

三氟拉嗪抑制钙-钙调素对白杄花粉管生长的调节

花粉管是种子植物受精过程中雄性生殖单位的载体，具有典型的极性顶端生长模式，因此成为研究细胞极性生长机理的理想模式体系。本研究以裸子植物白杄（Picea meyeri Rehd.et Wils）花粉为材料，并以对花粉萌发和花粉管生长起关键作用的Ca2+作为切入点，分析钙-钙调素在花粉萌发及花粉管极性生长中的作用，同时也为进一步探讨它们在其他植物细胞中的作用机理研究提供重要参考。 通过细胞化学定位证明，白杄花粉中含有丰富的游离钙离子和钙调素，在花粉管顶端呈现明显的梯度分布;钙调素特异拮抗剂三氟拉嗪（trifluoperazine，简称TFP）可以在钙离子存在的情况下与钙调素特异性结合，从而抑制钙-钙调素复合物对下游效应蛋白的激活。微摩尔浓度的TFP明显抑制白杄花粉萌发以及花粉管的生长，并导致大部分花粉管畸形生长。TFP处理后的花粉管（约80%以上）中游离钙离子梯度消失或梯度不明显，由此说明钙调素参与花粉管顶端游离钙离子梯度的维持。抑制剂处理显著影响钙调素在花粉管顶端的梯度分布模式，梯度落差明显减小。 应用鬼笔环肽标记花粉管微丝骨架表明，正常生长的花粉管中微丝骨架沿花粉管长轴平行的方向呈网络状分布，但是在花粉管顶端仅有杂乱的微丝片断分布;低浓度TFP处理之后，微丝骨架分布的方向性丧失并开始卷曲，花粉管顶端的微丝片断消失，高浓度TFP处理之后微丝骨架完全断裂，聚集成短粗的束状。FM4-64标记花粉管后发现，经TFP处理的花粉管顶端胞吞速度明显加快，最终染料集中分布在紧贴质膜下很小的区域内，同时胞吞过程加快主要表现在染料进入花粉管细胞的速度加快，而随后染料在细胞内的扩散速度并无明显变化。以酸性磷酸酶为标志的胞吐活性也显著下降。通过MitoTracker染色发现，TFP处理之后花粉管中线粒体的形态和分布都发生了显著变化;在电子显微镜下观察显示，抑制剂处理的花粉管中液泡化现象严重，线粒体膨大变形，其内嵴的结构遭到严重破坏，同时高尔基体和内质网的形态也都发生了不同程度的异常变化，另外线粒体和液泡还出现了类似于自体吞噬的现象。 在荧光显微镜下观察发现，在标准培养基中培养的花粉管经苯胺兰染色后，胼胝质分布于整根花粉管侧壁上，而顶端区域胼胝质分布却很少或不存在。但经TFP处理之后，在花粉管细胞壁的个别区域有胼胝质大量沉积，同时在花粉管中还出现能被苯胺兰特异染色的许多颗粒状物质。此时花粉管顶端细胞壁中的纤维素含量明显减少。以单克隆抗体JIM5、JIM7标记果胶质，在激光扫描共聚焦显微镜下观察发现，标准培养基中培养的花粉管，酸性果胶质分布于整根花粉管的侧壁中，但在其顶端的含量很低或不存在，与此相反，酯化果胶质只分布在花粉管的顶端;而经TFP处理的花粉管中，酸性果胶质均匀分布于花粉管细胞壁上，酯化果胶质仅出现在花粉管基部的细胞壁中。单克隆抗体LM2和LM6标记结果显示，正常生长的花粉管细胞壁中AGPs呈周期性的环状分布，TFP处理后AGPs仅仅分布在花粉管基部的细胞壁中。SDS-PAGE电泳分析显示，抑制剂处理之后花粉管细胞壁蛋白的表达也发生明显变化。由FT-IR分析进一步证实了上述两种果胶质及纤维素在花粉管顶端细胞壁中相对含量的变化趋势。 利用双向电泳技术分离花粉管全蛋白，结果发现正常生长和TFP处理后的花粉管的大部分蛋白斑点都处于pI 4-8以及分子量在14-97 KD的范围内，主要是一些中等分子量大小、微酸性和中性的蛋白类群。由软件分析显示，除其中76个蛋白外，大部分蛋白质的表达并未发生变化。将上述76个表达量发生变化的差异蛋白进行胶内酶解，并经ESI-MS/MS分析鉴定，以及质谱数据库搜索，最终鉴定出57个蛋白，其中23个表达量上调，其余34个表达量下调。根据其生物学功能可以分为碳水化合物及能量代谢、胁迫及防御反应、细胞扩展、信号转导等功能蛋白类群。经TFP处理后，花粉管中碳水化合物及能量代谢过程整体水平下降，氧化磷酸化水平减低，但是丙酮酸脱羧酶旁路代谢水平却略有上升。由此暗示，花粉管在生长停滞的环境条件下，该途径可作为能量供应的替代机制;参与转一碳单位反应的蛋白表达量普遍上调，参与细胞延展（如细胞骨架重构、细胞壁多糖合成）的蛋白表达量下调，此项研究结果与上述的细胞生物学分析结论基本一致。 综上所述，当钙调素蛋白功能受到抑制后，顶端游离钙离子浓度梯度消失同时胞质钙离子浓度显著升高;细胞代谢水平（糖酵解和三羧酸酸循环）整体下降，而可能通过丙酮酸脱羧酶旁路来维持最低限度的能量供应;同时花粉管微丝骨架发生解聚，花粉管细胞壁组成成分合成水平下降，细胞延展相关的能力减弱，最终导致花粉管生长的停滞。钙-钙调素信号存在于白杄花粉萌发和花粉管生长这一特定的细胞生物学事件中，并参与花粉管顶端游离钙离子梯度的维持和定向生长。