Because tumours are comprised of "self" cells and antigens, they escape recognition by the immune system, which discriminates between "self" and "non-self". One such antigen is cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, that has been implicated as one of the proteolytic enzymes involved in tumour invasion and metastasis. Cathepsin B autoantibodies could open possibilities which may be useful in cancer immunotherapy. In this study generation of cathepsin B autoantibodies was attempted by manipulating the immune system into recognising and responding to cathepsin B in complex with a "foreign" protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cathepsin B was isolated from rabbit liver using the three phase partitioning (TPP) method, modified by adding t-butanol in the homogenisation buffer. Isolation of cathepsin Band cathepsin L, using this novel method, minimised the formation of artefacts such as a covalent cathepsin L-stefin B complex and produced higher yields of enzyme. Pure rabbit liver cathepsin B was conjugated to BSA, using glutaraldehyde as coupling agent, and administered intramuscularly into rabbits. Another three inoculation protocols, which functioned as controls were: i) free cathepsin B administered intramuscularly, ii) complexed cathepsin B administered intravenously, and iii) free cathepsin B administered intravenously. IgGs isolated from inoculated rabbits' serum were assayed by a three layer ELISA system, immunoinhibition assays and dot blots. The anti-complex (intramuscular) antibodies showed the highest recognition for cathepsin B and were the only antibodies that were immunoinhibitory. This suggests that the immune system was, to some extend, successfully manipulated into recognising the complexed "self" cathepsin B. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

NtdB is an enzyme encoded within the ntd operon in Bacillus subtilis. This operon is reported to contain a complete set of genes necessary for the biosynthesis of 3,3'-neotrehalosadiamine (NTD), a compound composed of two kanosamine subunits linked together by a 1,1'-(α,β)-linkage. Both NTD and kanosamine have reported antibiotic properties. The function of NtdB has been a matter of speculation, but has never been investigated in vitro. Using a phosphate assay and an array of substrates, NtdB was determined to be a phosphatase, specific to kanosamine-6-phosphate (K6P) (kcat = 32 ± 1 s-1, Km = 93 ± 7 µM). Site-directed mutagenesis of amino acid residues in the core and the cap domains of the enzyme identified residues important for the catalytic reaction and substrate specificity. These mutations confirmed the presence of four motifs, characteristic of members of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily, and allowed identification of the substrate binding site of the enzyme. KabB, a homologue of NtdB from Bacillus cereus, showed notably lower activity with K6P than NtdB. This research defines the role of NtdB as a specific K6P phosphatase and challenges the previously reported NTD biosynthesis pathway by demonstrating a novel pathway for the production of the antibiotic kanosamine.

Organic chemistry is a valuable tool for studying enzyme mechanisms. Upon incubation with a specific enzyme, synthetic substrate analogues labeled with heavy atoms or carrying extra functional groups can provide mechanistic insights. In the present work, new compounds were synthesised in order to study the mechanism and substrate selectivity of two enzymes: human γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase and bacterial carboxymethylproline synthase. γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) is an Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase that catalyses the stereospecific hydroxylation of γ-butyrobetaine, the final step of L-carnitine (L-Car) biosynthesis in mammals. Substrate analogues were synthesised to probe BBOX specificity in vitro. Some of those unnatural substrates were oxidised by BBOX and the products identified using a range of analytical techniques. 3-(2,2,2-Trimethylhydrazinium)propionate (THP) is a clinically used BBOX inhibitor. Under standard assay conditions, THP was oxidised by BBOX. NMR studies have identified the products of this reaction to be malonic acid semialdehyde, formaldehyde, dimethylamine and 3-amino-4-(methylamino)butanoic acid. The formation of 3-amino-4-(methylamino)butanoic acid suggests that BBOX can catalyse a Stevens type rearrangement involving N-N bond cleavage and C-C bond formation. The proposed structures and mechanisms were confirmed by mass spectrometric and NMR analyses using [¹³C]-labeled THP as well as synthetic standards of both enantiomers of 3-amino-4-(methylamino)butanoic acid. Although the structure of the rearrangement product was confirmed, the stereochemistry remains unknown. Altogether, these studies revealed the unprecedented nature of a BBOX-catalysed C–C bond formation reaction upon THP oxidation and may inspire the design of improved inhibitors for BBOX and other 2OG oxygenases. Pectobacterium carotovorum CarB and Streptomyces cattleya ThnE are two carboxymethylproline synthases (CMPS) that catalyse an early step in carbapenem antibiotics biosynthesis. CMPS produces (2S,5S)-carboxymethylproline (t-CMP) from malonyl-CoA and L-glutamate semi-aldehyde. L-Glutamate semi-aldehyde exists in equilibrium with L-5-hydroxyproline and L-pyrroline-5-carboxylate in solution (collectively abbreviated L-GHP). Because of the high stereoselectivity of t-CMP formation and the growing interest in novel carbapenem antibiotics, CMPS is potentially an interesting biocatalyst. A series of L-GHP analogues were synthesised and tested as CMPS substrates in an attempt to produce unnatural t-CMP derivatives enzymatically. Methyl-substituted L-GHP analogues were accepted by CMPS and the t-CMP products could be further carried through to the corresponding bicyclic carbapenams using CarA, a β-lactam synthetase. These results demonstrate the versatility of the early carbapenem biosynthetic pathway and the possibility of introducing structural diversity using synthetic substrate analogues. A crystal structure of S. cattleya ThnE was obtained in complex with L-proline and coenzyme A, giving the first insight into substrate binding. This structural information will potentially allow further rational mutagenesis studies aiming to broaden the range of unnatural L-GHP analogues accepted by CMPS.

Peptidase pode ser considerada, como uma subclasse das enzimas hidrolíticas que ocupam uma posição central em relação às suas aplicações na área fisiológica e também na área comercial. As peptidases representam um dos três maiores grupos de enzimas industriais e são responsáveis por cerca de 60% da venda mundial de enzimas. O presente trabalho visa avaliar a produção de peptidase em fermentação submersa (FSm) pelo fungo Scopulariopsis koningii, utilizando como substrato farinha de pena (FP), a caracterização bioquímica parcial, secagem do extrato bruto, purificação da peptidase e determinação de especificidade da peptidase isolada. Para avaliar a influência da farinha de pena (FP), na produção de peptidases, foram adicionadas às porcentagens de 0,2; 0,4 e 0,8% no meio de cultura. Os melhores níveis de produção de peptidases pelo fungo Scopulariopsis koningii foram obtidos nas concentrações de 0,4% e 0,8% de FP em 48h de fermentação com 1.427 U/mL. A caracterização bioquímica parcial do extrato bruto foi realizada com azocaseína 1% preparada em tampão com pH adequado. A peptidase presente no extrato enzimático apresentou atividade ótima em pH 6,5 e temperatura ótima de 55°C. A peptidase foi inibida por PMSF, indicando a presença de resíduo de aminoácido serino no sítio catalítco, e desta forma sendo classificada como serino peptidase. Entretanto, também observamos uma inibição por EDTA, sugerindo a presença de uma metalo peptidase presente no extrato bruto, desta forma podemos sugerir que o fungo S. koningii na presença do meio contendo FP secreta duas subclasses; serino e metalo peptidase, ou secreta uma serino peptidase dependente de íon. Zimograma constatou a presença de duas enzimas. A atividade enzimática do extrato bruto diminuiu significativamente quando exposta os íons Al+3, Ni2+ e Cu2+ e aumentada quando adicionados os íons Ba2+, Ca2+ e Mg2+. A purificação da metalo peptidase presente no extrato enzimático envolveu sete etapas de purificação, sendo cromatografia de troca-iônica e gel filtração determinantes, com recuperação de 6% e purificação de 3,4 vezes. Utilizando a peptidase pura (metalo) realizouse a caracterização bioquímica funcional e a determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos, ambos utilizando o substrato peptídico de supressão intramolecular de fluorescência. A peptidase pura apresentou atividade ótima em pH 6,0 e temperatura ótima de 40°C e mostrou-se estável em ampla faixa de pH e temperatura. Foi modulada positivamente pelos íons Na+ e K+ e negativamente por Al3+ e Cu2+. A análise dos parâmetros cinéticos revelou uma grande influência de aminoácidos apolares do lado \"linha\" do substrato sintético na eficiência catalítica e no lado não \"linha\" grande influência de aminoácidos polares neutros e apolares. A secagem foi realizada por liofilização foram utilizados três tipos de adjuvantes: maltodextrina, manitol e glicina, em diferentes concentrações. Após a secagem foi realizado estudo da estabilidade nas temperaturas 4, 25 e 60°C por 32 dias para avaliar o desempenho dos adjuvantes na manutenção da atividade do extrato enzimático liofilizado. O adjuvante considerado mais eficaz foi a maltodextrina na concentração de 4,5% que manteve cerca de 93% da atividade do extrato enzimático liofilizado por 32 dias. / Peptidase can be considered as a subclass of hydrolytic enzymes which occupy a central position in relation to their applications in physiological area and also in the commercial area. Peptidases represent one of the three largest groups of industrial enzymes and account for about 60% of worldwide sales of enzymes. This study aims to evaluate the production of peptidase in submerged fermentation (FSm) by the fungus Scopulariopsis koningii, using as substrate feather meal (FP), the partial biochemical characterization, drying the crude extract, purification and determination of specific peptidase peptidase isolated. To evaluate the influence of feather meal (FM), in the production of peptidases, were added to the percentages of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% in the culture medium. The best levels of production of peptidases by the fungus Scopulariopsis koningii were obtained at concentrations of 0.4% and 0.8% of FP 48h fermentation with 1,427 U/mL. Partial biochemical characterization of the crude extract was performed with 1% azocasein prepared in buffer with appropriate pH. This in peptidase enzyme extract showed optimal activity at pH 6.5 and optimum temperature of 55°C. The peptidase was inhibited by PMSF, indicating the presence of a serine residue at amino acid catalytic site, and thus being classified as serine peptidase. However, we also observed an inhibition by EDTA, suggesting the presence of a metallo peptidase present in the crude extract, thus we suggest that the fungus S. koningii in the presence of medium containing secret FP two subclasses; serine peptidase and metal, or secretes a serine peptidase dependent ion. Zymogram found the presence of two enzymes. The enzymatic activity of the crude extract decreased significantly when exposed the Al 3+, Ni 2+ and Cu2+ ions and increased when added to Ba2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The purification of metallo peptidase present in the enzyme extract involved seven stages of purification, and ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration determinants, with recovery and purification of 6 % from 3.4 times. Using pure peptidase (metallo) held functional biochemical characterization and determination of kinetic parameters using both the intramolecular peptide substrate fluorescence suppression. Pure peptidase showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and optimum temperature of 40°C and was stable in a wide range of pH and temperature. The positively modulated by Na+ and K+ and negatively by Al3+ and Cu2+. Analysis of kinetic parameters revealed a strong influence of nonpolar amino acid side \"line\" of the synthetic substrate in the catalytic efficiency and not on the side \"line\" great influence of nonpolar and polar neutral amino acids. The freeze drying was performed by three types of additives were used: maltodextrin, mannitol and glycine in different concentrations. After drying stability study was conducted at the temperatures 4, 25 and 60°C for 32 days to evaluate the performance of additives in maintaining the activity of the enzyme extract lyophilized. The adjuvant was found more efficacious maltodextrin in a concentration of 4.5%, which retained about 93% of the extract lyophilized enzyme activity for 32 days.

Peptidase pode ser considerada, como uma subclasse das enzimas hidrolíticas que ocupam uma posição central em relação às suas aplicações na área fisiológica e também na área comercial. As peptidases representam um dos três maiores grupos de enzimas industriais e são responsáveis por cerca de 60% da venda mundial de enzimas. O presente trabalho visa avaliar a produção de peptidase em fermentação submersa (FSm) pelo fungo Scopulariopsis koningii, utilizando como substrato farinha de pena (FP), a caracterização bioquímica parcial, secagem do extrato bruto, purificação da peptidase e determinação de especificidade da peptidase isolada. Para avaliar a influência da farinha de pena (FP), na produção de peptidases, foram adicionadas às porcentagens de 0,2; 0,4 e 0,8% no meio de cultura. Os melhores níveis de produção de peptidases pelo fungo Scopulariopsis koningii foram obtidos nas concentrações de 0,4% e 0,8% de FP em 48h de fermentação com 1.427 U/mL. A caracterização bioquímica parcial do extrato bruto foi realizada com azocaseína 1% preparada em tampão com pH adequado. A peptidase presente no extrato enzimático apresentou atividade ótima em pH 6,5 e temperatura ótima de 55°C. A peptidase foi inibida por PMSF, indicando a presença de resíduo de aminoácido serino no sítio catalítco, e desta forma sendo classificada como serino peptidase. Entretanto, também observamos uma inibição por EDTA, sugerindo a presença de uma metalo peptidase presente no extrato bruto, desta forma podemos sugerir que o fungo S. koningii na presença do meio contendo FP secreta duas subclasses; serino e metalo peptidase, ou secreta uma serino peptidase dependente de íon. Zimograma constatou a presença de duas enzimas. A atividade enzimática do extrato bruto diminuiu significativamente quando exposta os íons Al+3, Ni2+ e Cu2+ e aumentada quando adicionados os íons Ba2+, Ca2+ e Mg2+. A purificação da metalo peptidase presente no extrato enzimático envolveu sete etapas de purificação, sendo cromatografia de troca-iônica e gel filtração determinantes, com recuperação de 6% e purificação de 3,4 vezes. Utilizando a peptidase pura (metalo) realizouse a caracterização bioquímica funcional e a determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos, ambos utilizando o substrato peptídico de supressão intramolecular de fluorescência. A peptidase pura apresentou atividade ótima em pH 6,0 e temperatura ótima de 40°C e mostrou-se estável em ampla faixa de pH e temperatura. Foi modulada positivamente pelos íons Na+ e K+ e negativamente por Al3+ e Cu2+. A análise dos parâmetros cinéticos revelou uma grande influência de aminoácidos apolares do lado \"linha\" do substrato sintético na eficiência catalítica e no lado não \"linha\" grande influência de aminoácidos polares neutros e apolares. A secagem foi realizada por liofilização foram utilizados três tipos de adjuvantes: maltodextrina, manitol e glicina, em diferentes concentrações. Após a secagem foi realizado estudo da estabilidade nas temperaturas 4, 25 e 60°C por 32 dias para avaliar o desempenho dos adjuvantes na manutenção da atividade do extrato enzimático liofilizado. O adjuvante considerado mais eficaz foi a maltodextrina na concentração de 4,5% que manteve cerca de 93% da atividade do extrato enzimático liofilizado por 32 dias. / Peptidase can be considered as a subclass of hydrolytic enzymes which occupy a central position in relation to their applications in physiological area and also in the commercial area. Peptidases represent one of the three largest groups of industrial enzymes and account for about 60% of worldwide sales of enzymes. This study aims to evaluate the production of peptidase in submerged fermentation (FSm) by the fungus Scopulariopsis koningii, using as substrate feather meal (FP), the partial biochemical characterization, drying the crude extract, purification and determination of specific peptidase peptidase isolated. To evaluate the influence of feather meal (FM), in the production of peptidases, were added to the percentages of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8% in the culture medium. The best levels of production of peptidases by the fungus Scopulariopsis koningii were obtained at concentrations of 0.4% and 0.8% of FP 48h fermentation with 1,427 U/mL. Partial biochemical characterization of the crude extract was performed with 1% azocasein prepared in buffer with appropriate pH. This in peptidase enzyme extract showed optimal activity at pH 6.5 and optimum temperature of 55°C. The peptidase was inhibited by PMSF, indicating the presence of a serine residue at amino acid catalytic site, and thus being classified as serine peptidase. However, we also observed an inhibition by EDTA, suggesting the presence of a metallo peptidase present in the crude extract, thus we suggest that the fungus S. koningii in the presence of medium containing secret FP two subclasses; serine peptidase and metal, or secretes a serine peptidase dependent ion. Zymogram found the presence of two enzymes. The enzymatic activity of the crude extract decreased significantly when exposed the Al 3+, Ni 2+ and Cu2+ ions and increased when added to Ba2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The purification of metallo peptidase present in the enzyme extract involved seven stages of purification, and ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration determinants, with recovery and purification of 6 % from 3.4 times. Using pure peptidase (metallo) held functional biochemical characterization and determination of kinetic parameters using both the intramolecular peptide substrate fluorescence suppression. Pure peptidase showed optimal activity at pH 6.0 and optimum temperature of 40°C and was stable in a wide range of pH and temperature. The positively modulated by Na+ and K+ and negatively by Al3+ and Cu2+. Analysis of kinetic parameters revealed a strong influence of nonpolar amino acid side \"line\" of the synthetic substrate in the catalytic efficiency and not on the side \"line\" great influence of nonpolar and polar neutral amino acids. The freeze drying was performed by three types of additives were used: maltodextrin, mannitol and glycine in different concentrations. After drying stability study was conducted at the temperatures 4, 25 and 60°C for 32 days to evaluate the performance of additives in maintaining the activity of the enzyme extract lyophilized. The adjuvant was found more efficacious maltodextrin in a concentration of 4.5%, which retained about 93% of the extract lyophilized enzyme activity for 32 days.

Foram analisados alguns parâmetros que influenciam os bioprocessos, submerso e sólido, do fungo Eupenicillium javanicum na produção de peptidases. No bioprocesso submerso foram avaliados a influência de diferentes concentrações e tipos de fonte de carbono e concentrações de fonte nitrogênio no meio, pH, temperatura e tempo de incubação. No bioprocesso sólido avaliou-se a influência de dois tipos de resíduos agroindustriais, em diferentes proporções, dois tipos de fonte de nitrogênio, em diferentes concentrações, tempo e temperatura de incubação. As peptidases produzidas em ambos os bioprocessos foram caracterizadas bioquimicamente, avaliando pH e temperatura ótima, estabilidade em diferentes temperaturas e valores de pH e influência da adição de íons e inibidores na atividade da peptidase. A enzima produzida em bioprocesso sólido foi submetida ao processo de purificação utilizando métodos cromatográficos. Utilizando a peptidase pura realizou-se a caracterização bioquímica funcional e a determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos, ambos utilizando o substrato peptídico de supressão intramolecular de fluorescência. Além disso, o extrato enzimático obtido através do bioprocesso foi submetido ao processo de microencapsulação, visando uma maior estabilidade das peptidases e facilidade no armazenamento e transporte, utilizando a técnica de Spray drying, em seguida foi avaliado o rendimento do processo e a estabilidade das peptidases das micropartículas produzidas. O fungo Eupenicillium javanicum mostrou potencial na produção de peptidases em ambos bioprocessos, produzindo peptidases da classe das metalopeptidases com alta estabilidade em diferentes valores de pH e temperatura. O processo de purificação mostrou-se viável e reprodutível. A análise dos parâmetros cinéticos revelou uma grande influência do lado \"linha\" da peptidase na eficiência catalítica. O processo de microencapsulação mostrou-se viável e gerou micropartículas estáveis. A peptidase produzida apresentou características que demonstram seu potencial uso nas diferentes áreas industriais. / Some parameters that influence the submerged and semi solid bioprocesses, by the fungus Eupenicillium javanicum in the peptidases production, were conducted. In submerged bioprocess was evaluated the effect of different concentrations and types of carbon source and nitrogen source in the medium, pH, temperature and incubation time. In semi solid bioprocess semi solid was evaluated the influence of two types of agroindustrial residues, in different proportions, and different concentrations of nitrogen source, temperature and of incubation time. The peptidases produced in both bioprocesses were characterized biochemically, evaluating, the optimum pH and temperature, stability at different temperatures and pH values and the influence of the addition of ions and inhibitors on peptidase activity. The enzyme produced in semi solid bioprocess was subjected to the purification process using chromatographic methods. Using pure peptidase was performed the biochemical characterization and determination of kinetic parameters, both using the fluorescence intramolecular suppression peptide substrate. Furthermore, the enzymatic extract obtained by semi solid bioprocess was subjected to microencapsulation process by using the technique of spray drying, in order to obtain greater stability, ease storage and transport of peptidases, then assessed the yield process and stability of the peptidases of microparticles produced. The fungus Eupenicillium javanicum showed potential production of peptidases in the both bioprocesses, producing peptidases that belong to the class of metallopeptidases, with high stability at different pH and temperature. The purification process was feasible and reproducible. The analysis of kinetic parameters revealed a strong influence of the \"line\" side on the peptidase catalytic efficiency. The microencapsulation process was feasible and generated stable microparticles. The peptidase produced has characteristics that demonstrated it a potential use in different industrial fields.

Ischaemic stroke has become one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Protease activated receptors (PARs, PAR-1 to PAR-4) belong to G protein coupled receptors that can be self-activated by tethered ligands (TL) revealed through proteolytic cleavage. Based on these TL, many activating peptides (APs) and antagonists have been synthesized to investigate PARs actions. / In the present study, the roles of PARs were examined in two models of ischaemic stroke. For the in vivo model, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was performed to establish cerebral ischaemia in rats. For the in vitro model, oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) was used to mimic an ischaemia insult in primary cultured rat embryonic cortical neurones. / Western blot studies showed that expressions of PAR-1 and PAR-2 were increased in the rat ischaemic brain cortex, whereas PAR-1 was reduced in the rat cortical neurones subjected to OGD. Pretreatments of PAR-1 AP (SFLLRN-NH₂) and PAR-2 AP (SLIGRL-NH₂) produced significant protection against ischaemia-induced damage. Pretreatment of PAR-3 AP (SFNGGP-NH₂) only improved ischaemic symptoms in in vivo but not in in vitro model. When treated after ischaemia, only PAR-1 AP produced significant reductions on ischaemia-induced damage. Protective actions of PAR-1 and PAR-2 APs were inhibited by PAR-1 antagonist (BMS-200261) and PAR-2 antagonist (ENMD-1068) respectively, but PAR-1 antagonist did not affect posttreatment effects of PAR-1 AP in in vitro model. Pre- and posttreatments of thrombin, and pretreatment of trypsin also protected ischaemia-induced damage in the two models. / PAR-1 AP produced marked increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and ratio of bcl-2/bax, but reduced contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in both ipsilateral ischaemic brain cortices and in rat cortical neurones subjected to OGD. In the in vitro model, PAR-1 AP greatly decreased caspase-3 activity and TUNEL positive cells, while markedly increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). All these protective actions were inhibited by its antagonist, which suggests it was mediated via activation of PAR-1. / In MCA isolated from normal and ischameic rats, PAR-2 AP and trypsin produced vasodilatation while PAR-3 AP elicited vasoconstriction. However, another PAR-3 AP had no effect in the two types of MCA. A high concentration of PAR-1 AP relaxed MCA isolated form ischaemic rats, and it was not inhibited by a PAR-1 antagonist. The vasodilator action of PAR-2 AP was inhibited by one of two PAR-2 antagonists tested. The vasodilator actions induced by PAR-1 and PAR-2 APs involved NO production since L-NAME was effective in inhibiting their actions. / In conclusion, PAR-1 AP was found to be the most efficacious in protecting the brain from ischaemia-induced damage when administered either before or after ischaemia insults. The protective actions were likely to be attributed to its anti-oxidant properties in the ischaemic brain that reduced apoptosis of brain cells. Therefore, PAR-1 was identified as a promising target for development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic treatments of ischaemic brain disease. / 缺血性腦中風已經成為全世界導致死亡和殘疾的最主要的疾病之一。蛋白酶激活受體（PARs, PAR-1 to PAR-4）屬於G蛋白偶聯受體並且可以通過蛋白水解生成系鎖配體（TL）從而作用於受體本身而激活信號通路。根據TL的序列已經合成了很多激活肽和拮抗劑，它們可以作為有價值的工具藥進行PAR的作用研究。 / 當前，PAR的作用在兩個缺血性腦中風模型中進行研究。體內模型是通過大鼠大腦中動脈阻塞手術而建立；體外模型是通過對大鼠胚胎大腦皮層神經元進行氧糖剝奪模擬缺血性損傷。 / 蛋白質印跡法的實驗表明PAR-1和PAR-2的表達在缺血側大腦皮層中有所增多，而PAR-1在氧糖剝奪的大鼠皮層神經元中表達卻有所降低。預處理PAR-1（SFLLRN-NH₂）和PAR-2（SLIGRL-NH₂）的激活肽顯著改善了缺血導致的損傷。預處理PAR-3激活肽（SFNGGP-NH₂）僅僅改善了體內缺血症狀，卻對體外缺血模型沒有效果。然而，當這些激活肽在缺血后給予的時候，只有PAR-1的激活肽顯著改善了缺血損傷。PAR-1的拮抗劑（BMS-200261）和PAR-2的拮抗劑（ENMD-1068）抑制了PAR-1和PAR-2激活肽的保護作用，但是體外實驗後處理PAR-1激活肽的保護作用卻未收影響。預處理及後處理凝血酶，預處理胰酶都在這兩個模型中顯示出保護缺血性損傷的作用。 / PAR-1激活肽在缺血同側大腦皮層以及經受氧糖剝奪的大鼠皮層神經元中，顯著提高了超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、過氧化氫酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽過氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活力以及bcl-2/bax的比例，同時顯著降低了活性氧自由基（ROS）、一氧化氮（NO）以及丙二醛（MDA）的含量。在體外模型中，PAR-1激活肽還顯著降低了caspase-3的活力以及TUNEL陽性細胞的比例，同時顯著提高了線粒體膜電位（MMP）。所有這些作用都可以被拮抗劑抑制，說明PAR-1激活肽的保護作用是通過激活PAR-1介導的。 / 不管是從正常還是缺血的大鼠中分離出來的大腦中動脈，PAR-2激活肽和胰酶都可以使之舒張，PAR-3激活肽卻對其有收縮作用。然而，另外一種PAR-3激活肽卻未顯現出對血管活性的影響。高劑量的PAR-1激活肽只可以在分離于缺血大鼠的大腦中動脈中引起舒張，但此作用不能被其拮抗劑所抑制。PAR-2激活肽導致的血管舒張只可以被檢測的兩個拮抗劑中的其中一個所抑制。PAR-1和PAR-2激活肽引起的血管舒張與NO的產生有關，因為L-NAME可以有效抑制它們的作用。 / 總之，不管是預處理還是後處理的給藥方式，PAR-1的激活肽在保護大腦的缺血性損傷中都是最有效果的。保護作用可能可以歸因于其抗氧化以及抗凋亡的特性。所以，PAR-1是研究防治缺血性腦疾病的發展中富有希望的一個靶點。 / Zhen, Xia. / Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-206). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 11, October, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

3,3'-Neotrehalosadiamine (NTD) is a diaminosugar that possesses a rare alpha,beta-1,1'-linked glycosidic bond and has been reported to possess antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The ntdABC operon contains three structural genes that are necessary for the production of NTD in certain mutants of Bacillus subtilis. The gene predicted to be the first in the NTD biosynthetic pathway, ntdC, was subcloned into pET-28b as the hexa-histidine tagged fusion. The gene product was expressed, purified to homogeneity, and found to be an NAD+-dependent glucose 6-phosphate 3-dehydrogenase, likely operating according to a ternary complex mechanism and possessing a catalytic dyad composed by D176 and H180. The advent of this knowledge suggests that additional genes are required for the biosynthesis of NTD aside from the three encoded by the ntdABC operon.

The aromatic amino acid hydroxylases phenylalanine hydroxylase (PheH), tyrosine hydroxylase (TyrH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TrpH) utilize tetrahydropterin and molecular oxygen to catalyze aromatic hydroxylation. All three enzymes have similar active sites and contain an iron atom facially coordinated by two histidines and a glutamate. The three enzymes also catalyze the benzylic hydroxylation of 4- methylphenylalanine. The intrinsic primary and ?-secondary isotope effects for benzylic hydroxylation and their temperature dependences are nearly identical for the three enzymes, suggesting that the transition states, the tunneling contributions and the reactivities of the iron centers are the same. When molecular oxygen and the tetrahydropterin are replaced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), these enzymes catalyze the hydroxylation of phenylalanine to form tyrosine and meta-tyrosine with nearly identical second order rate constants. When the H2O2-dependent reaction is carried out with cyclohexylalanine or 4-methylphenylalanine, the products are 4-HO-cyclohexylalanine and 4-hydroxymethylphenylalanine, respectively. These experiments provide further evidence that the intrinsic reactivities of the iron centers in these enzymes are the same. Wild-type PheH and the uncoupled mutant protein V379D exhibit normal and inverse isotope effects, respectively, with deuterated phenylalanines. When the reaction is monitored by stopped-flow absorbance spectroscopy, three steps are visible. The first step is the reversible binding of O2, the second step is 5-7 fold faster than the turnover number, setting a limiting value for the rate constant for O2 activation, and the last step is non-enzymatic. There is no burst in the pre-steady state formation of tyrosine. These results are consistent with formation of the new C-O bond to form tyrosine as the ratelimiting step of the reaction. The reaction of TrpH with both tryptophan and phenylalanine was studied by stopped-flow absorbance spectroscopy and rapid-quench product analysis. With either amino acid as substrate, four steps can be distinguished. The first step is the reversible binding of O2 to the Fe(II) center; this results in an absorbance signature with a maximum at 420 nm. This O2 complex decays with a rate constant that is 18-22 fold faster than the turnover number with either amino acid, setting a the lower limit for the rate constant for O2 activation. The rate constant for the third step agrees well with the pre-steady state of formation of 5-hydroxytryptophan or tyrosine from rapid-quench product analysis. The rate constant for the fourth step agrees well with the turnover number. Overall, these results show that O2 activation is fast and turnover with each amino acid is limited by hydroxylation and release of a product, with the former step being about 4-fold faster than the latter.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-155). Also available on the Internet.