Fatty acids, fibre, carotenoids and tocopherols in relation to glucose metabolism in subjects at high risk for type 2 diabetes : a cross-sectional analysis

Fatty acids, fibre, carotenoids and tocopherols in relation to glucose metabolism in subjects at high risk for type 2 diabetes a cross-sectional analysis Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disorder of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, resulting from genetics, environmental influences and interactions between these. The disease is characterized by insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, hepatic glucose overproduction and disordered fat mobilization and storage. The literature on associations between dietary factors and glucose metabolism is inconsistent. One factor behind the discrepant results may be genetic heterogeneity of study populations. Data on nutrient-gene interactions in relation to glucose metabolism are scarce. Thus, investigating high-risk populations and exploring nutrient-gene interactions are essential for improving the understanding of T2D aetiology. Ideally, this information could help to develop prevention programmes that take into account the genetic predisposition to the disease. In this study, associations between measures of glucose metabolism predicting T2D and fatty acids, antioxidative nutrients and fibre were examined in a high-risk population, i.e., in non-diabetic relatives of affected patients. Interactions between the PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism and fatty acids on glucose metabolism were taken into consideration. This common polymorphism plays an important role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The inverse associations observed between dietary fibre and insulin resistance are consistent with the prevailing recommendations urging increased intake of fibre to prevent T2D. Beneficial associations observed between the intake of carotenoids and glucose levels stress that a high consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries rich in carotenoids might also play a role in the prevention of T2D. Whether tocopherols have an independent association with glucose metabolism remains questionable. Observed interactions between fatty acids and glucose metabolism suggest that a high intake of palmitic acid is associated with high fasting glucose levels mainly in female Ala allele carriers. Furthermore, the PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism may modify the metabolic response to dietary marine fat. The beneficial associations of high intake of marine n 3 fatty acids with insulin resistance and glucose levels may be restricted to carriers of the Ala allele. The findings pertain to subjects with a family history of T2D, and the cross-sectional nature of the study precludes inferences about causality. Results nevertheless show that associations of dietary factors with glucose metabolism may be modulated by the genetic makeup of an individual. Additional research is warranted to elucidate the role of probably numerous nutrient-gene interactions, some of which may be sex-specific, in the aetiology of T2D.

Effect of cupric-isonicotinic acid hydrazide complex on avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase and its associated enzyme activities

Cupric complex of isonicotinic acid hydrazide inhibits DNA synthesis by avian myloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. This inhibition occurs in the presence of either ribonucleotide or deoxyribonucleotide templates. The inhibition of reverse transcriptase by cupric-INH complex is considerably reduced when stored or proteolytically cleaved enzyme was used in the reaction. The complex also inhibits the reverse transciptase-associated RNase H activity. The cupric-isonicotinic acid hydrazide complex cleaves pBR 322 from I DNA into smaller molecules in the presence or absence of reverse transcriptase-associated endonuclease. However, in the presence of the enzyme the DNA is cleaved to a greater extent.

X-Ray Studies On Crystalline Complexes Involving Amino-Acids And Peptides .11. Peptide Aggregation And Water-Structure In The Crystals Of A Hydrated 1-1 Complex Between L-Histidyl-L-Serine And Glycyl-L-Glutamic Acid

The hexahydrate of a 1:1 complex between L-histidyl-L-serine and glycyl-L-glutamic acid crystallizes in space group P1 with a = 4.706(1), b= 8.578(2), c= 16.521(3) ÅA; α= 85.9(1), β= 89.7(1)°, = 77.4(1). The crystal structure, solved by direct methods, has been refined to an R value of 0.046 for 2150 observed reflections. The two peptide molecules in the structure have somewhat extended conformations. The unlike molecules aggregate into separate alternating layers. Each layer is stabilized by hydrogen bonded head-to-tail sequences as well as sequences of hydrogen bonds involving peptide groups. The arrangement of molecules in each layer is similar to one of the plausible idealized arrangements of L-alanyl-L-alanine worked out from simple geometrical considerations. Adjacent layers in the structure are held together by interactions involving side chains as well as water molecules. The water structure observed in the complex provides a good model, at atomic resolution, for that in protein crystals. An interesting feature of the crystal structure is the existence of two water channels in the interfaces between adjacent peptide layers.

Lactic acid bacteria and their antimicrobial peptides : Induction,detection,partial characterization, and potential applications

Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria and their isolated peptide bacteriocins are of value to control pathogens and spoiling microorganisms in foods and feed. Nisin is the only bacteriocin that is commonly accepted as a food preservative and has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive organisms including spore forming bacteria. In this study nisin induction was studied from two perspectives, induction from inside of the cell and selection of nisin inducible strains with increased nisin induction sensitivity. The results showed that a mutation in the nisin precursor transporter NisT rendered L. lactis incapable of nisin secretion and lead to nisin accumulation inside the cells. Intracellular proteolytic activity could cleave the N-terminal leader peptide of nisin precursor, resulting in active nisin in the cells. Using a nisin sensitive GFP bioassay it could be shown, that the active intracellular nisin could function as an inducer without any detectable release from the cells. The results suggested that nisin can be inserted into the cytoplasmic membrane from inside the cell and activate NisK. This model of two-component regulation may be a general mechanism of how amphiphilic signals activate the histidine kinase sensor and would represent a novel way for a signal transduction pathway to recognize its signal. In addition, nisin induction was studied through the isolation of natural mutants of the GFPuv nisin bioassay strain L. lactis LAC275 using fl uorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The isolated mutant strains represent second generation of GFPuv bioassay strains which can allow the detection of nisin at lower levels. The applied aspect of this thesis was focused on the potential of bacteriocins in chicken farming. One aim was to study nisin as a potential growth promoter in chicken feed. Therefore, the lactic acid bacteria of chicken crop and the nisin sensitivity of the isolated strains were tested. It was found that in the crop Lactobacillus reuteri, L. salivarius and L. crispatus were the dominating bacteria and variation in nisin resistance level of these strains was found. This suggested that nisin may be used as growth promoter without wiping out the dominating bacterial species in the crop. As the isolated lactobacilli may serve as bacteria promoting chicken health or reducing zoonoosis and bacteriocin production is one property associated with probiotics, the isolated strains were screened for bacteriocin activity against the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. The results showed that many of the isolated L. salivarius strains could inhibit the growth of C. jejuni. The bacteriocin of the L. salivarius LAB47 strain, with the strongest activity, was further characterized. Salivaricin 47 is heat-stable and active in pH range 3 to 8, and the molecular mass was estimated to be approximately 3.2 kDa based on tricine SDS-PAGE analysis.

Interaction of Gibberellic Acid and Indole-3-acetic Acid in the Growth of Excised Cuscuta Shoot Tips in Vitro1

Gibberellic acid (GA3) induced a marked elongation of 2.5-centimeter shoot tips of Cuscuta chinensis Lamk. cultured in vitro. In terms of the absolute amount of elongation, this growth may be the largest reported for an isolated plant system. The response to hormone was dependent on an exogenous carbohydrate supply. The hormone-stimulated growth was due to both cell division and cell elongation. The growth response progressively decreased if GA3 was given at increasingly later times after culturing, but the decreased growth response could be restored by the application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) to the apex. Explants deprived of GA3 gradually lost their ability to transport IAA basipetally, but this ability was also restored by auxin application. The observations are explained on the basis that: (a) the growth of Cuscuta shoot tip in vitro requires, at least, both an auxin and a gibberellin; and (b) in the absence of gibberellin the cultured shoot tip explants lose the ability to produce and/or transport auxin.

Purification of antibodies for the cytokinin N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl) adenosine by affinity chromatography.

Isopentenyl adenosine antibodies useful in the investigations of the "cytokinin" functions of isopentenyl adenosine were purified by affinity chromatography. Using different affinity columns, the antibodies were purified to near complete purity. Analyses of the purified proteins revealed the presence of isopentenyl adenosine binding proteins in normal rabbit serum, which presence supports a suggested role for isopentenyl adenosine and its related compounds in animal cell division in vivo.

Role of glutamine synthetase in citric acid fermentation byAspergillus niger

The activity of glutamine synthetase fromAspergillus niger was significantly lowered under conditions of citric acid fermentation. The intracellular pH of the organism as determined by bromophenol blue dye distribution and fluorescein diacetate uptake methods was relatively constant between 6•0–6•5, when the pH of the external medium was varied between 2•3–7•0.Aspergillus niger glutamine synthetase was rapidly inactivated under acidic pH conditions and Mn2+ ions partially protected the enzyme against this inactivation. Mn2+-dependent glutamine synthetase activity was higher at acidic pH (6•0) compared to Mg2+-supported activity. While the concentration of Mg2+ required to optimally activate glutamine synthetase at pH 6•0 was very high (≥ 50 mM), Mn2+ was effective at 4 mM. Higher concentrations of Mn2+ were inhibitory. The inhibition of both Mn2+ and Mg2+-dependent reactions by citrate, 2-oxoglutarate and ATP were probably due to their ability to chelate divalent ions rather than as regulatory molecules. This suggestion was supported by the observation that a metal ion chelator, EDTA also produced similar effects. Of the end-products of the pathway, only histidine, carbamyl phosphate, AMP and ADP inhibitedAspergillus niger glutamine synthetase. The inhibitions were more pronounced when Mn2+ was the metal ion activator and greater inhibition was observed at lower pH values. These results permit us to postulate that glutamine synthesis may be markedly inhibited when the fungus is grown under conditions suitable for citric acid production and this block may result in delinking carbon and nitrogen metabolism leading to acidogenesis.

Concentrations of phthalates and DINCH metabolites in pooled urine from Queensland, Australia

Dialkyl phthalate esters (phthalates) are ubiquitous chemicals used extensively as plasticizers, solvents and adhesives in a range of industrial and consumer products. 1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) is a phthalate alternative introduced due to a more favourable toxicological profile, but exposure is largely uncharacterised. The aim of this study was to provide the first assessment of exposure to phthalates and DINCH in the general Australian population. De-identified urine specimens stratified by age and sex were obtained from a community-based pathology laboratory and pooled (n = 24 pools of 100). Concentrations of free and total species were measured using online solid phase extraction isotope dilution high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Concentrations ranged from 2.4 to 71.9 ng/mL for metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, and from < 0.5 to 775 ng/mL for all other metabolites. Our data suggest that phthalate metabolites concentrations in Australia were at least two times higher than in the United States and Germany; and may be related to legislative differences among countries. DINCH metabolite concentrations were comparatively low and consistent with the limited data available. Ongoing biomonitoring among the general Australian population may help assess temporal trends in exposure and assess the effectiveness of actions aimed at reducing exposures.

Phase transition in malonic acid: An infrared study

Malonic acid is shown to undergo an interesting phase transition at 360 K when the two non-equivalent cyclic hydrogen-bonded dimers present in the low-temperature phase become equivalent.

N-Carbamoyl-DL-aspartic acid

CsHaN205, PL a = 6.438 (2), b = 7.486 (3), c = 8.048 (4)A, a = 72.2(1), fl = 80.8(1), y = 76.4 (1) °, D m = 1.65 (1) (flotation), D c = 1.64 Mg m -3, Z = 2. Final R = 0.095 for 1205 observed reflections. The molecule assumes the sterically least favourable conformation with the side chain carboxyl group staggered between the a-carboxyl group and the N atom attached to C '~. The ureido group takes part in two specific interactions involving two nearly parallel hydrogen bonds in one and two convergent hydrogen bonds in the other.

Infrared studies on the conformation of synthetic alamethicin fragments and model peptides containing .alpha.-aminoisobutyric acid

ABSTRACT: Infrared studies of synthetic alamethicin fragments and model peptides containing a-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) have been carried out in solution. Tripeptides and larger fragments exhibit a strong tendency to form /3 turns, stabilized by 4 - 1 10-atom hydrogen bonds. Dipeptides show less well-defined structures, though C5 and C7 conformations are detectable. Conformational restrictions imposed by Aib residues result in these peptides populating a limited range of states. Integrated intensities of the hydrogen-bonded N-H stretching band can be used to quantitate the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Predictions made from infrared data are in excellent agreement with nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction studies. Assignments of the urethane and tertiary amide carbonyl groups in the free state have been made in model peptides. Shifts to lower frequency on hydrogen bonding are observed for the carbonyl groups. The 1-6 segment of alamethicin is shown to adopt a 310 helical structure stabilized by four intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The fragments Boc-Leu-Aib-Pro-Val-Aib-OMe (1 2-1 6) and Boc-Gly-Leu-Aib-Pro-Val-Aib-OMe (1 1-1 6) possess structures involving 4 - 1 and 5 - 1 hydrogen bonds. Supporting evidence for these structures is obtained from proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies.

Studies on crystalline complexes involving amino acids. V. The structure of L-serine-L-ascorbic acid

L-Serine-L-ascorbic acid, C3HTNOa. C6HsO6, a 1:1 complex between the amino acid serine and the vitamin ascorbic acid, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2~2~2~ with four formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 5.335(3), b = 8.769(2), c = 25.782 (5) A. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to an R of 0.036 for 951 observed reflections. Both molecules are neutral in the structure. The conformation of the serine molecule is different from that observed in the crystal structures of L-serine, DL-serine and L-serine monohydrate. The enediol group in the ascorbic acid molecule is planar, whereas significant departures from planarity are observed in the lactone group. The conformation of this molecule is similar to that observed in arginine ascorbate. The unlike molecules aggregate into separate columns in the crystal structure. The columns are held together by hydrogen bonds. Among these, a pair of hydrogen bonds between the enediol group of ascorbic acid and the carboxylate group of serine provides a possible model for a specific interaction between ascorbic acid and a carboxylate ion.

Peptide models for the bacteriorhodopsin chromophore. Retinylidene-lysine systems containing aspartic acid and serine residues

The retinylidene Schiff base derivative of seven lysine containing peptides have been prepared in order to investigate solvent and neighboring group effects, on the absorption maximum of the protonated Schiff base chromophore. The peptides studied are Boc-Aib-Lys-Aib-OMe (1), Boc-Ala-Aib-Lys-OMe (2), Boc-Ala-Aib-Lys-Aib-OMe (3), Boc-Aib-Asp-Aib-Aib-Lys-Aib-OMe (4), Boc-Aib-Asp-Aib-Ala-Aib-Lys-Aib-OMe (5), Boc-Lys-Val-Gly-Phe-OMe (6) and Boc-Ser-Ala-Lys-Val-Gly-Phe-OMe (7). In all cases protonation shifts the absorption maxima to the red by 3150–8450 cm-1. For peptides 1–3 the protonation shifts are significantly larger in nonhydrogen bonding solvents like CHCl3 or CH2Cl2 as compared to hydrogen bonding solvents like CH3OH. The presence of a proximal Asp residue in 4 and 5 results in pronounced blue shift of the absorption maximum of the protonated Schiff base in CHCl3, relative to peptides lacking this residue. Peptides 6 and 7 represent small segments of the bacteriorhodopsin sequence in the vicinity of Lys-216. The presence of Ser reduces the magnitude of the protonation shift.