The use of a synthetic prostaglandin-E1 analog (misoprostol) as an adjunct to pancreatic-enzyme replacement in cystic-fibrosis

Eleven cystic fibrosis children (mean age, 9.6 years) were chosen at random to participate in a study to observe the effects of concurrently stimulating gastric/duodenal bicarbonate secretion and inhibiting gastric acid secretion, using a methylated prostaglandin E1 analogue in patients with pancreatic insufficiency and taking pancreatic enzymes. Percentage fat absorption in 3-day stool collections were calculated before and after commencing therapy with misoprostol, 400 μg/day in divided doses. We found a significant reduction in fat output (14.7 ± 11.7 versus 7.5 ± 3.5 g/day, p < 0.05) in the study group as a whole and a significant reduction in steatorrhoeic level as a percentage of fat intake in all of the patients with abnormal base-line collections (23.1% versus 9.2%, p < 0.002). We conclude that misoprostol should be considered in cystic fibrosis patients with steatorrhoea as a means of improving nutrient absorption.

The ontogeny of serum immunoreactive pancreatic lipase and cationic trypsinogen in the premature human infant

We evaluated the development of the exocrine pancreas in 16 healthy preterm infants (29.3 ± 1.6 weeks). The infants were fed breast milk with formula supplements (n=8) or formula alone (n=8). Growth was monitored weekly for 12 weeks then at 3, 6, 9, 12 months. At the same intervals sera were determined for pancreatic lipase and cationic trypsinogen. In addition, cord blood samples were analysed from another 33 preterm (27.6 ± 5.2 weeks) and 75 healthy full-term infants. Serum pancreatic lipase in the cord blood of term (3.7 ± 0.4 μg/l) and preterm infants (1.8 ± 0.2 μg/l) was significantly below values reported for older children (10.5 ± 0.9 μg/l; p < 0.001). In the preterm infant, serum lipase was also significantly lower than values obtained at term (p < 0.001). At birth, serum trypsinogen for preterm (16.8 ± 1.3 μg/l) and term infants (23.3 ± 1.9 μg/l) were below those for older children (31.4 ± 3.7 μg/l; p < 0.05). Over the first 3 weeks of life, serum lipase and trypsinogen increased significantly. From 3 weeks to 12 months of age, serum trypsinogen values remained unchanged, but serum lipase increased dramatically after 10 weeks of age. Thus, at 6 and 12 months of age, the preterm infants had significantly higher serum lipase values than infants of the same age born at term. These two pancreatic enzymes appear to show independent age-related maturation in infants born before term. The rate of maturation of lipase appears to be accelerated by exposure to the extrauterine environment.

Treatment of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in cystic fibrosis with a balanced intestinal lavage solution

Conventional treatment of distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) with high doses of pancreatic enzymes, mucolytic agents, and enemas is neither predictably effective nor rapid in action. In 6 cystic fibrosis patients with DIOS a balanced, non-absorbable intestinal lavage solution produced clinical and radiological improvement and striking improvement in DIOS scores. It is suggested that a balanced intestinal lavage solution should be considered as an alternative treatment for DIOS in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Expression Profiling of Nucleotide Metabolism-Related Genes in Human Breast Cancer Cells After Treatment with 5-Fluorouracil

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most widely used drugs for treatment of cancers, including breast cancer that exhibits its anticancer activity by inhibiting DNA synthesis and also incorporated into DNA and RNA. The objective of this investigation was to find out the total nucleotide metabolism genes regulated by 5-FU in breast cancer cell line. The breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated with the drug 5-FU. To analyze the expression of genes, we have conducted the experiment using 1.7k and 19k human microarray slide and confirmed the expression of genes by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of 44 genes involved in the nucleotide metabolism pathway was quantified. Of these 44 genes analyzed, transcription of 6 genes were upregulated and 9 genes were downregulated. Earlier studies revealed that the transcription of genes for key enzymes like thymidylate synthase, thymidinekinase, and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase are regulated by 5-FU. This study identified some novel genes like thioredoxin reductase, ectonucleotide triphosphate dephosphorylase, and CTP synthase are regulated by 5-FU. The data also reveal large-scale perturbation in transcription of genes not involved directly in the known mechanism of action of 5-FU.

Serum immunoreactive pancreatic lipase and cationic trypsinogen for the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in older patients with cystic fibrosis

Indirect and qualitative tests of pancreatic function are commonly used to screen patients with cystic fibrosis for pancreatic insufficiency. In an attempt to develop a more quantitative assessment, we compared the usefulness of measuring serum pancreatic lipase using a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay with that of cationic trypsinogen using a radioimmunoassay in the assessment of exocrine pancreatic function in patients with cystic fibrosis. Previously, we have shown neither lipase nor trypsinogen to be of use in assessing pancreatic function prior to 5 years of age because the majority of patients with cystic fibrosis in early infancy have elevated serum levels regardless of pancreatic function. Therefore, we studied 77 patients with cystic fibrosis older than 5 years of age, 41 with steatorrhea and 36 without steatorrhea. In addition, 28 of 77 patients consented to undergo a quantitative pancreatic stimulation test. There was a significant difference between the steatorrheic and nonsteatorrheic patients with the steatorrheic group having lower lipase and trypsinogen values than the nonsteatorrheic group (P < .001). Sensitivities and specificities in detecting steatorrhea were 95% and 86%, respectively, for lipase and 93% and 92%, respectively, for trypsinogen. No correlations were found between the serum levels of lipase and trypsinogen and their respective duodenal concentrations because of abnormally high serum levels of both enzymes found in some nonsteatorrheic patients. We conclude from this study that both serum lipase and trypsinogen levels accurately detect steatorrhea in patients with cystic fibrosis who are older than 5 years but are imprecise indicators of specific pancreatic exocrine function above the level needed for normal fat absorption.

Glucosinolate composition and anti-cancer potential of daikon and radish sprouts

Daikon and radish sprouts contain high levels of glucoraphenin, a glucosinolate which hydrolyses to form sulphoraphene. Sulphoraphene, like sulphoraphane from broccoli, is a potent inducer of phase 2 detoxification enzymes and consequently has potential anti-cancer action. Unlike broccoli however, daikon and radish do not possess epithiospecifier protein, a protein that inhibits conversion of glucosinolates to isothiocyanates, and consequently they may represent more suitable sources of phyto-chemicals with anti-cancer potential. Concentrations of glucoraphenin were highest in the seed, declining exponentially with sprout development. The rate of decline was observed to vary considerably between varieties of daikon and radish, with some varieties maintaining significantly high levels of glucoraphenin. Varieties maintaining a high level of glucoraphenin included 'Cherry Belle' and 'French Breakfast'.

The Evolution of Guanylyl Cyclases as Multidomain Proteins: Conserved Features of Kinase-Cyclase Domain Fusions

Guanylyl cyclases (GCs) are enzymes that generate cyclic GMP and regulate different physiologic and developmental processes in a number of organisms. GCs possess sequence similarity to class III adenylyl cyclases (ACs) and are present as either membrane-bound receptor GCs or cytosolic soluble GCs. We sought to determine the evolution of GCs using a large-scale bioinformatic analysis and found multiple lineage-specific expansions of GC genes in the genomes of many eukaryotes. Moreover, a few GC-like proteins were identified in prokaryotes, which come fused to a number of different domains, suggesting allosteric regulation of nucleotide cyclase activity Eukaryotic receptor GCs are associated with a kinase homology domain (KHD), and phylogenetic analysis of these proteins suggest coevolution of the KHD and the associated cyclase domain as well as a conservation of the sequence and the size of the linker region between the KHD and the associated cyclase domain. Finally, we also report the existence of mimiviral proteins that contain putative active kinase domains associated with a cyclase domain, which could suggest early evolution of the fusion of these two important domains involved in signa transduction.

Allostery in tRNA Synthetases Elucidated from MD Simulations and Protein Structure Networks

tRNA synthetases (aaRS) are enzymes crucial in the translation of genetic code. The enzyme accylates the acceptor stem of tRNA by the congnate amino acid bound at the active site, when the anti-codon is recognized by the anti-codon site of aaRS. In a typical aaRS, the distance between the anti-codon region and the amino accylation site is approximately 70 Å. We have investigated this allosteric phenomenon at molecular level by MD simulations followed by the analysis of protein structure networks (PSN) of non-covalent interactions. Specifically, we have generated conformational ensembles by performing MD simulations on different liganded states of methionyl tRNA synthetase (MetRS) from Escherichia coli and tryptophenyl tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) from Human. The correlated residues during the MD simulations are identified by cross correlation maps. We have identified the amino acids connecting the correlated residues by the shortest path between the two selected members of the PSN. The frequencies of paths have been evaluated from the MD snapshots[1]. The conformational populations in different liganded states of the protein have been beautifully captured in terms of network parameters such as hubs, cliques and communities[2]. These parameters have been associated with the rigidity and plasticity of the protein conformations and can be associated with free energy landscape. A comparison of allosteric communication in MetRS and TrpRS [3] elucidated in this study highlights diverse means adopted by different enzymes to perform a similar function. The computational method described for these two enzymes can be applied to the investigation of allostery in other systems.

Beta-Ketoacyl-ACP Synthase I/II from Plasmodium falciparum (PfFabB/F)-Is it B or F?

Condensing enzymes play an important and decisive role in terms of fatty acid composition of any organism. They can be classified as condensing enzymes involved in initiating the cycle and enzymes involved in elongating the initiated fatty acyl chain. In E. coli, two isoforms for the elongation condensing enzymes (FabB and FabF) exists whereas Plasmodium genome contains only one isoform. By in vitro complementation studies in E. coli CY244 cells, we show that PfFabB/ functions like E. coli FabF as the growth of the mutant cells could rescued only in the presence of oleic acid. But unlike bacterial enzyme, PfFabB/F does not increase the cis-vaccenic acid content in the mutant cells upon lowering the growth temperature. This study thus highlights the distinct properties of P. falciparum FabF which sets it apart from E. coli and most other enzymes of this family, described so far.

Generation of H2O2 in biomembranes

Knowledge of the generation of H202 in cellular oxidations has existed for many years. It has been assumed that H202 is tOxiC tO cells and the presence of catalase is indicative of a detoxication mechanism. Other radicals of oxygen were recently recognized to be more potent destructive agents of biological material than H202. Also catalase and other peroxidases utilize H202 in some cellular oxidation processes leading to several important metabolites. Thus, the generation of H202 in cellular processes seems to be purposeful and H202 can not be dismissed as a mere undesirable byproduct. Biological formation of H202 is not limited to the previously known flavoproteins and some copper enzymes, but other redox systems, particularly heme and non-heme iron proteins, are now found to undergo auto-oxidation yielding H202. The capacity for generation of H202 is now found to be widespread in a variety of organisms and in the organdies of the cells. The reduction of oxygen to H20 by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase being the predominant oxygen-utilizing reaction had over-shadowed the importance of the quantitatively minor pathways. Under aerobic conditions generation of H202 by a Variety of biomembranes has now been found to be a physiological event interlinked with phenomena such as phagocytosis, transport processes and thermogenesis in some as yet unidentified way. The underlying mechanisms of these processes seem to involve generation and utilization of H202 in mitochondria, microsomes, peroxisomes or plasma membranes. This review gives an account of the potential of biomembranes to generate H202 and its implication in the cellular processes.

Genetic characterisation of bovine herpesvirus 1 in New Zealand

AIM: To genotype bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) isolates from cattle in New Zealand. METHODS: Twenty-eight BHV-1 isolates were collected from clinical samples from cattle over 28 years. They were characterised and compared using restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Twenty-four isolates were classified as bovine herpesvirus subtype 1.2b (BHV-1.2b) by REA. The remaining four isolates were distinct from the others in REA profiles of one of the major enzymes (HindIII) by which the classification was made. However, these four isolates were closely related to others when the REA profiles of other restriction enzymes were studied, and therefore were regarded as divergent strains of BHV-1.2b. All BHV-1 isolates were detectable by PCR, and sequence analysis of selected PCR products did not indicate any significant differences between isolates. CONCLUSION: BHV-1.2b appears to be the predominant strain of BHV-1 in cattle in New Zealand. There was no evidence that more virulent strains of BHV-1, e.g. subtype 1.1 and BHV type 5, are, or have been, present in New Zealand. Genetic variations exist among these BHV-1.2b isolates.

Epithiospecifier protein activity in broccoli: The link between terminal alkenyl glucosinolates and sulphoraphane nitrile

The chemical nature of the hydrolysis products from the glucosinolate-myrosinase system depends on the presence or absence of supplementary proteins, such as epithiospecifier proteins (ESPs). ESPs (non-catalytic cofactors of myrosinase) promote the formation of epithionitriles from terminal alkenyl glucosinolates and as recent evidence suggests, simple nitriles at the expense of isothiocyanates. The ratio of ESP activity to myrosinase activity is crucial in determining the proportion of these nitriles produced on hydrolysis. Sulphoraphane, a major isothiocyanate produced in broccoli seedlings, has been found to be a potent inducer of phase 2 detoxification enzymes. However, ESP may also support the formation of the non-inductive sulphoraphane nitrile. Our objective was to monitor changes in ESP activity during the development of broccoli seedlings and link these activity changes with myrosinase activity, the level of terminal alkenyl glucosinolates and sulphoraphane nitrile formed. Here, for the first time, we show ESP activity increases up to day 2 after germination before decreasing again to seed activity levels at day 5. These activity changes paralleled changes in myrosinase activity and terminal alkenyl glucosinolate content. There is a significant relationship between ESP activity and the formation of sulforaphane nitrile in broccoli seedlings. The significance of these findings for the health benefits conferred by eating broccoli seedlings is briefly discussed.

Interaction of Cibacron Blue F3G-A and Procion Red HE-3B with sheep liver 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

Cibacron Blue F3G-A, a probe used to monitor nucleotide binding domains in enzymes, inhibited sheep liver 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase competitively with respect to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and NADPH. The Ki values obtained by kinetic methods and the Kd value for the binding of the dye to the enzyme estimated by protein fluorescence quenching were in the range 0·9-1·2 μM. Another triazine dye, Procion Red HE-3B interacted with the enzyme in an essentially similar manner to that observed with Cibacron Blue F3G-A. These results as well as the interaction of the dye with the enzyme monitored by difference spectroscopy and intrinsic protein fluorescence quenching methods indicated that the dye was probably interacting at the active site of the enzyme by binding at a hydrophobic region.

Organosolv pretreatment of plant biomass for enhanced enzymatic saccharification

The combination of dwindling petroleum reserves and population growth make the development of renewable energy and chemical resources more pressing than ever before. Plant biomass is the most abundant renewable source for energy and chemicals. Enzymes can selectively convert the polysaccharides in plant biomass into simple sugars which can then be upgraded to liquid fuels and platform chemicals using biological and/or chemical processes. Pretreatment is essential for efficient enzymatic saccharification of plant biomass and this article provides an overview of how organic solvent (organosolv) pretreatments affect the structure and chemistry of plant biomass, and how these changes enhance enzymatic saccharification. A comparison between organosolv pretreatments utilizing broadly different classes of solvents (i.e., low boiling point, high boiling point, and biphasic) is presented, with a focus on solvent recovery and formation of by-products. The reaction mechanisms that give rise to these by-products are investigated and strategies to minimize by-product formation are suggested. Finally, process simulations of organosolv pretreatments are compared and contrasted, and discussed in the context of an industrial-scale plant biomass to fermentable sugar process.

Differing mechanisms of simple nitrile formation on glucosinolate degradation in Lepidium sativum and Nasturtium officinale seeds.

Glucosinolates are sulphur-containing glycosides found in brassicaceous plants that can be hydrolysed enzymatically by plant myrosinase or non-enzymatically to form primarily isothiocyanates and/or simple nitriles. From a human health perspective, isothiocyanates are quite important because they are major inducers of carcinogen-detoxifying enzymes. Two of the most potent inducers are benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) present in garden cress (Lepidium sativum), and phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) present in watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Previous studies on these salad crops have indicated that significant amounts of simple nitriles are produced at the expense of the isothiocyanates. These studies also suggested that nitrile formation may occur by different pathways: (1) under the control of specifier protein in garden cress and (2) by an unspecified, non-enzymatic path in watercress. In an effort to understand more about the mechanisms involved in simple nitrile formation in these species, we analysed their seeds for specifier protein and myrosinase activities, endogenous iron content and glucosinolate degradation products after addition of different iron species, specific chelators and various heat treatments. We confirmed that simple nitrile formation was predominantly under specifier protein control (thiocyanate-forming protein) in garden cress seeds. Limited thermal degradation of the major glucosinolate, glucotropaeolin (benzyl glucosinolate), occurred when seed material was heated to >120 degrees C. In the watercress seeds, however, we show for the first time that gluconasturtiin (phenylethyl glucosinolate) undergoes a non-enzymatic, iron-dependent degradation to a simple nitrile. On heating the seeds to 120 degrees C or greater, thermal degradation of this heat-labile glucosinolate increased simple nitrile levels many fold.