Essential Amino Acids Methionine Research Articles

Evaluation of 2,4-dichlorophenol exposure of Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes, using a metabolomics approach.

In this study, the metabolic effects of waterborne exposure of medaka (Oryzias latipes) to nominal concentrations of 20 (L group) and 2000μg/L (H group) 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) were examined using a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) metabolomics approach. A principal component analysis (PCA) separated the L, H, and control groups along PC1 to explain the toxic effects of DCP at 24h of exposure. Furthermore, the L and H groups were separated along PC1 at 96h on the PCA score plots. These results suggest that the effects of DCP depended on exposure concentration and time. Changes in tricarboxylic cycle metabolites suggested that fish exposed to 2,4-DCP require more energy to metabolize and eliminate DCP, particularly at 96h of exposure. A time-dependent response in the fish exposed to DCP was observed in the GC/MS data, suggesting that the higher DCP concentration had greater effects at 24h than those observed in response to the lower concentration. In addition, several essential amino acids (arginine, histidine, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine) decreased after DCP exposure in the H group, and starvation condition and high concentration exposure of DCP could consume excess energy from amino acids.

MP86-01 IS HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA AN EARLY PREDICTOR OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION? EVALUATION OF INTERNATIONAL INDEX OF ERECTILE FUNCTION (IIEF) AND PENILE DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is inability to achieve and maintain an erection to permit satisfactory sexual activity. Homocysteine (Hcys) is a sulphur-containing amino acid synthesized from the essential amino acid methionine. Experimental models have elucidated the role of Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcys) as a strong and independent predictor for atherosclerosis progression and impaired cavernosal perfusion. The aim of this study is to investigate the serum levels of Hcys in our cohort of patients with ED, to compare these values with these of control population and to examine Hcys as a predictive marker for those patients who are beginning to complain mild-moderate ED. METHODS: A total of 431 patients were enrolled in the study. The whole cohort was asked to complete the IIEF questionnaire. The study population was divided in 3 main groups: Group A: 145 patients with no ED serving as a control group; Group B: 145 patients with mild or mild-moderate ED; Group C: 141 patients with moderate or severe ED. Each participant underwent blood analysis. All patients underwent baseline and dynamic penile Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: We found in our cohort mean Hcys plasma concentrations significantly higher than the cut-off point in both groups B and C (18.6 4.7 and 28.38 7.8 respectively). Mean IIEF score was 27.9 1.39, 19.5 2.6 and 11.1 2.5 for group A, B and C, respectively (p<0.0001). In the Penile Doppler Ultrasonography studies, a high significant inverse correlation was detected between the mean values of the 10th minute’s PSV and Hcys levels for the group B and C. CONCLUSIONS: This establishes a dose dependent association between Hcys and ED. Furthermore, we showed that Hcys was an earlier predictor of ED than Doppler studies, as the Hcys increase was present in patients with mild ED even before abnormal Doppler values. Source of Funding: none

Homocysteine and methylmalonate: when should I measure them and what do they mean?

Plasma total homocysteine has traditionally been considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis. More recently, it is being adopted as a marker of vitamin B12 deficiency. The association between mild hyperhomocysteinaemia...

갈색거저리 유충 분말을 이용한 쿠키 제조 및 품질평가

This study was performed to develop and evaluate cookies prepared with various amounts (0 g, 12.5 g, 25 g and 37.5 g) of mealworm powder to serve as not only sports snacks but also for the general population as a new protein source. In the chromaticity of mealworm cookies, lightness and yellowness decreased whereas redness increased with more mealworm powder. The hardness of the mealworm cookies increased as more mealworm powder was added. In sensory evaluation, higher preference was shown with the measure of color, taste, and overall preference for mealworm cookies prepared with 50% mealworm powder (MP2). For the general composition of MP2, the moisture, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat and crude ash were higher compared with the control cookie. For the mineral contents of MP2, the contents of Ca (33.44 mg/100 g), P (225.13 mg/100 g), Mg (82.21 mg/100 g), Na (246.22 mg/100 g), and K (503.49 mg/100 g) were higher compared with the control cookie. The essential amino acids (valine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, and histidine) in MP2 were also higher compared with the control cookie. It was concluded that MP2 can be used as a new protein source for not only the maintenance of muscle but also for the prevention of muscle loss in old people.

Physiological and genotype-specific factors associated with grain quality changes in rice exposed to high ozone

Rising tropospheric ozone concentrations in Asia affect the yield and quality of rice. This study investigated ozone-induced changes in rice grain quality in contrasting rice genotypes, and explored the associated physiological processes during the reproductive growth phase. The ozone sensitive variety Nipponbare and a breeding line (L81) containing two tolerance QTLs in Nipponbare background were exposed to 100 ppb ozone (8 h per day) or control conditions throughout their growth. Ozone affected grain chalkiness and protein concentration and composition. The percentage of chalky grains was significantly increased in Nipponbare but not in L81. Physiological measurements suggested that grain chalkiness was associated with a drop in foliar carbohydrate and nitrogen levels during grain filling, which was less pronounced in the tolerant L81. Grain total protein concentration was significantly increased in the ozone treatment, although the albumin fraction (water soluble protein) decreased. The increase in protein was more pronounced in L81, due to increases in the glutelin fraction in this genotype. Amino acids responded differently to the ozone treatment. Three essential amino acids (leucine, methionine and threonine) showed significant increases, while seven showed significant treatment by genotype interactions, mostly due to more positive responses in L81. The trend of increased grain protein was in contrast to foliar nitrogen levels, which were negatively affected by ozone. A negative correlation between grain protein and foliar nitrogen in ozone stress indicated that higher grain protein cannot be explained by a concentration effect in all tissues due to lower biomass production. Rather, ozone exposure affected the nitrogen distribution, as indicated by altered foliar activity of the enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase and glutamine-2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase. Our results demonstrate differential responses of grain quality to ozone due to the presence of tolerance QTL, and partly explain the underlying physiological processes.

Some Microalgae from the Hawaiian Islands with a Focus on Industrial Applications

Background: A small subset of the vast diversity of microalgae present in the Hawaiian Islands was isolated, cultured, and investigated for potential industrial applications. This subset was composed of either newly reported isolates of Chlorophytes and Bacillariophytes or several species already well established in local aquaculture. Methods: Isolates were identified based on 18S rRNA sequence or morphology where applicable. Isolates were profiled for constitutive biochemical composition using biomass harvested in late log phase under nutrient replete conditions. Results: New isolates examined included Acrochaete, Asterarcys, Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, Desmodesmus, Marinichlorella, Micractinium, Monoraphidium, Nannochlorum, Parachlorella, Picochlorum, Podohedriella, Mychonastes, Scenedesmus, Tetraselmis and some diatoms. Several had favorable profiles for potential use in a fuel and feed biorefinery, for wastewater treatment with CO2 capture, or for more specialized products with options for cultivation as phototrophs or facultative heterotrophs in freshwater or saltwater. Whole biomass showed a useful combination of protein and lipids, good in vitro digestibility, and presence of key essential amino acids lysine, methionine, and cysteine. Many isolates had predominantly C16 to C18 fatty acids while a few had polyunsaturated fatty acids with options for ω-3, ω-6 and ω-9 combinations. Marinichlorella kaistiae, a new species for Hawai'i, proved suitable for very large-scale cultivation and conversion into biofuel, and its fatty acid profile varied with cultivation in freshwater or salt water. Several freshwater diatoms, all of which proved scalable including in saline conditions, may be new representatives of Humidophila, Sellaphora and Nitzschia. The composition of an exudate produced by Mayamaea, a taxon previously isolated in Hawai'i in lava tubes, was determined to be a unique mannose-rich exopolysaccharide. Conclusion: Several Hawai'i-sourced strains described here are already of benefit in biofuels and treatment of effluents including CO2, and are anticipated to have value in next generation cosmetics and ‘cosmeceuticals’ to impact skin appearance, health and disease applications. Moreover, with protein having higher intrinsic value than biofuels, it is informative to characterize algal strains at a stage in biomass production that reflects high protein with constitutive lipid content. Keywords: Microalgae, 18S rRNA sequence, bioproducts, bioenergy, biorefinery, feed, food, cosmetics, wastewater, remediation.

Structure of a fungal form of aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase from Cryptococcus neoformans.

Aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (ASADH) functions at a critical junction in the aspartate-biosynthetic pathway and represents a valid target for antimicrobial drug design. This enzyme catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reductive dephosphorylation of β-aspartyl phosphate to produce the key intermediate aspartate semialdehyde. Production of this intermediate represents the first committed step in the biosynthesis of the essential amino acids methionine, isoleucine and threonine in fungi, and also the amino acid lysine in bacteria. The structure of a new fungal form of ASADH from Cryptococcus neoformans has been determined to 2.6 Å resolution. The overall structure of CnASADH is similar to those of its bacterial orthologs, but with some critical differences both in biological assembly and in secondary-structural features that can potentially be exploited for the development of species-selective drugs.

Hyperhomocysteinemia as an Early Predictor of Erectile Dysfunction: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Penile Doppler Ultrasound Correlation With Plasma Levels of Homocysteine.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is inability to achieve and maintain an erection to permit satisfactory sexual activity. Homocysteine (Hcys) is a sulfur-containing amino acid synthesized from the essential amino acid methionine. Experimental models have elucidated the role of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcys) as a strong and independent predictor for atherosclerosis progression and impaired cavernosal perfusion.The aim of this study is to investigate the serum levels of Hcys in our cohort of patients with ED, to compare these values with these of control population and to examine Hcys as a predictive marker for those patients who are beginning to complain mild–moderate ED.A total of 431 patients were enrolled in the study. The whole cohort was asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The study population was divided in 3 main groups: Group A: 145 patients with no ED serving as a control group; Group B: 145 patients with mild or mild–moderate ED; Group C: 141 patients with moderate or severe ED. Each participant underwent blood analysis. All patients underwent baseline and dynamic penile Doppler ultrasonography.We found in our cohort mean Hcys plasma concentrations significantly higher than the cut-off point in both groups B and C (18.6 ± 4.7 and 28.38 ± 7.8, respectively). Mean IIEF score was 27.9 ± 1.39, 19.5 ± 2.6, and 11.1 ± 2.5 for groups A, B, and C, respectively (P < 0.0001). In the penile Doppler ultrasonography studies, a high significant inverse correlation was detected between the mean values of the 10th minute's peak-systolic velocity (PSV) and Hcys levels for the groups B and C.This establishes a dose-dependent association between Hcys and ED. Furthermore, we showed that Hcys was an earlier predictor of ED than Doppler studies, as the Hcys increase was present in patients with mild ED even before abnormal Doppler values.

Development of formulated diets for snakehead (Channa striata and Channa micropeltes): Can phytase and taurine supplementation increase use of soybean meal to replace fish meal?

Culture of snakehead species is limited in Vietnam and banned in Cambodia because of the reliance of the industry on feeding them “small-size” fish (sometimes called trash fish or low-value fish), many of which are juveniles of commercially important species. In an effort to find substitutes for small-size fish, we conducted a series of experiments to test formulated diets with several levels of soybean meal (SBM) replacement of fish meal. Feeding trials lasted eight weeks, after which survival, growth, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were compared. In the first two experiments, with Channa striata, we substituted SBM, either with or without supplementation of phytase (20mg/kg) (Experiment 1) or taurine (1g/kg) (Experiment 2), for 0, 20, 30, 40, or 50% of the fish meal. Experiment 1 demonstrated that SBM can replace 30% of the fish meal without, and 40% of the fish meal with, phytase supplementation. Experiment 2 showed again that SBM can replace 30% of the fish meal without, and 40% of the fish meal with, taurine supplementation. The third experiment, with Channa micropeltes, which was done only with phytase supplementation, showed that 40% of fish meal can be replaced by SBM. In all the SBM diets, the essential amino acids (EAA) lysine, methionine and threonine were also added to make their dietary levels equal to those in the fish meal control diet. Use of the SBM replacement diets, in addition to conserving the small-size fish in the wild, would result in economic savings (cost/kg of fish produced) of about 11% compared to diets based on fish meal alone. Statement of relevanceAquaculture is growing rapidly in Vietnam and has the potential to do the same in Cambodia. Production of pangasiid catfish in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam alone exceeded 1 million metric tons in 2008. While some of the food provided to these fish, especially at the larger commercial farms, is formulated feed from commercial feed mills, many small farmers still use “trash fish” from the Mekong in preparing feed by hand at the farm. As aquaculture expands in Vietnam and Cambodia, the fish called snakehead is becoming popular to culture because of its high value in the market. Two species are cultured, the snakehead murrel, C. striata, and the giant snakehead, C. micropeltes. While culture of these is growing in Vietnam, it is prohibited in Cambodia (except for some experimental work) due to its dependence on small fish in the diet. Catfish culture has available commercial pellet diets, so getting farmers to switch from small fish to pellets is a socioeconomic issue, since small-scale catfish farmers often rely on traditional methods and the local availability of small fish. On the other hand, formulated diets do not yet exist for snakehead in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The study of amino acid composition of sapropel by the capillary electrophoresis method

A diverse composition of sapropels allows to use them successfully in cosmetology. Sapropelic therapeutic muds exhibit the anti-inflammatory and desensitizing effect, protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals, slow down the aging processes, give the skin freshness and elasticity, improve the cell regeneration by 10%, moisturize and increase elasticity and thickness of the keratoid layer of the epidermis. A wide range of indications for using sapropels demonstrates the importance of their application for prevention and treatment of diseases, and the relevance and prospects for their further studies to obtain new pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. When conducting research by the capillary electrophoresis method the “Kapel’ – 105/105 M” system with a positive polarity of a high voltage source (the internal diameter of the capillary is 50 μm, the full length of the capillary is 75 cm, the effective length is 65 cm) equipped with a special software for personal computers was applied. The amino acid composition of sapropel from Prybych deposits (Shatsky district, Volyn region) has been studied. The presence of a number of amino acids in sapropel with the total content of more than 2% has been found using capillary electrophoresis. Sapropel contains a vast amount of essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine) and a number of nonessential ones (alanine, arginine, glycine, proline and serine). Alanine, glycine, leucine, and isoleucine prevail in the mixture analyzed.

A novel cyclopolymer containing residues of essential amino acid methionine: synthesis and application

Ethyl ester hydrochloride of essential amino acid methionine upon treatment with allyl bromide affords N,N-diallyl methionine ethyl ester (I) which after treatment with HCl leads to a novel monomer N,N-diallyl methionine ethyl ester hydrochloride (II). Monomer II is cyclocopolymerized with sulfur dioxide in acetone or ethanol to obtain the corresponding water-insoluble alternate cocyclopolymer III (i.e., II-alt-SO2), while quite surprisingly, the polymerization carried out in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) affords a water-soluble terpolymer IV: (II{in sulfide form}-alt-SO2)-ran-(II{in sulfoxide form}-alt-SO2) in which half of the sulfide groups has been oxidized to sulfoxide groups via oxygen exchange with solvent DMSO. Polymer IV containing the residues of methionine demonstrates superior inhibition of mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl at 60 °C; inhibition efficiency (IE) of 99 % is achieved at a concentration of 25 ppm. At a meager concentration of 1.25 ppm, the polymer leads to an astonishing IE of 93 %, while its corresponding monomer II achieves an IE of 31 % at the same concentration. The adsorption of polymer IV on the metal surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The high negative $$\Delta G^\circ_{\text{ads}}$$ value of −57.7 kJ mol−1 ensured the favorability of the adsorption process and indicated the prevalence of both electrostatic adsorption and chemisorption. The polymer having multiple adsorption sites gave superior protection of mild steel surface than methionine or its ester derivative I or the monomeric counterpart II. The essential amino acid methionine has been converted into diallylamine salt which undergoes cyclocopolymerization with SO2 to give a novel polymer in which 50 % of the sulfide group is oxidized to sulfoxide via oxygen exchange with dimethyl sulfoxide. The polymer (at a concentration of 1.25 ppm) demonstrates a superb inhibition efficiency (IE) of 93 % of mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl at 60 °C, while at 100 ppm it achieves an IE of 99 %.

Fitting homocysteine to disease models, as well as adjusting the models to the disease.

Homocysteine is a nonprotein α-amino acid and differs from cysteine by having an additional methylene bridge. Homocysteine is not present in the diet, and all homocysteine in the body is biosynthesized from the essential amino acid methionine. Homocysteine is a product of methionine demethylation and is recycled into methionine or alternatively converted into cysteine with the assistance of B vitamins. Homocysteine is metabolized through two pathways, namely remethylation and transsulfuration. Much information has been generated from mouse models. A summary of this model information, as presented by Dayal and Lentz [1], is shown (Fig. 1). The remethylation pathway requires vitamin B12, folate, and the enzyme 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). In the kidney and liver, homocysteine is also remethylated by the enzyme betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), which transfers a methyl group to homocysteine via the demethylation of betaine to dimethylglycine (DMG). The transsulfuration pathway requires the enzyme cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5′-phosphate). Once formed from cystathionine, cysteine can be utilized in protein synthesis and glutathione (GSH) production. Genetics has contributed greatly to our understanding of homocysteine, its metabolism, and cardiovascular risk. Classical homocystinuria, an autosomal-recessive disease, is caused by CBS deficiency. The defect leads to a multisystem disorder involving connective tissue, muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system [2]. Genetic variation in the MTHFR gene influences the susceptibility to occlusive vascular disease, neural tube defects, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, colon cancer, and acute leukemia [2]. Thus, homocysteine, its metabolism, and the enzymes involved are of great interest in biomedical research. Homocysteine contributes to endothelial injury and subsequent atherosclerosis and is a specific risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As a result, much effort has been expended in clinical trials for various vascular diseases in the hopes that by reducing homocysteine levels, cardiovascular endpoints could be ameliorated. For instance, an updated Cochrane review found no evidence to suggest that homocysteinelowering interventions in the form of supplements of vitamins B6, B9, or B12 given alone or in combination should be used for preventing cardiovascular events [3, 4]. Neither has the supplementation of dietary folic acid to lower homocysteine levels led to more favorable outcomes [5, 6]. Nevertheless, folic acid supplementation has a major impact on reducing neural tube defects [7]. J Mol Med this month features a homocysteine-based hypothesis in a complicated animal model. Muthuramu et al. point out that a Bcausal role of homocysteine in myocardial biology and function cannot be proven since residual confounding in multivariable models may occur^ [8]. How very true! They studied Cbs heterozygous gene-deleted (Cbs +/−) mice. These mice were crossed with low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr −/−) gene-deleted mice to generate Cbs +/−/ Ldlr −/− mice. The mice were divided into three groups and fed regular chow, folic acid-depleted chow, or methionineenriched chow. Three weeks after diet initiation, the mice were intravenously injected with a hepatocyte-specific adenoviral vector expressing Cbs (AdCBS), with the same dose of control vector, or with saline buffer. Two weeks after that, the mice were subjected to thoracic aortic constriction (TAC), an experimental aortic coarctation, or sham operation to induce * Friedrich C. Luft luft@charite.de

Comparison of cake compositions, pepsin digestibility and amino acids concentration of proteins isolated from black mustard and yellow mustard cakes.

As a byproduct of oil production, black and yellow mustard cakes protein are considered as potential source of plant protein for feed applications to poultry, fish and swine industries. The protein contents in black and yellow mustard cakes were 38.17% and 28.80% and their pepsin digestibility was 80.33% and 77.43%, respectively. The proteins were extracted at different pH and maximum proteins (89.13% of 38.17% and 87.76% of 28.80% respectively) isolated from black and yellow mustard cakes at pH 12. The purity of isolated proteins of black and yellow mustard cakes was 89.83% and 91.12% respectively and their pepsin digestibility was 89.67% and 90.17% respectively which assigned the absence of antinutritional compounds. It was found that essential amino acids isoleucine, lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan and non essential amino acids arginine and tyrosine were present in greater concentration in black mustard cake protein whereas other amino acids were higher in yellow mustard cake protein.

Receptor regulation of senile phenoptosis.

Here we present a concept that considers organism aging as an additional facultative function promoting evolution, but counterproductive for an individual. We hypothesize that aging can be inhibited or even arrested when full mobilization of all resources is needed for the survival of an individual. We believe that the organism makes such a decision based on the analysis of signals of special receptors that monitor a number of parameters of the internal and external environment. The amount of available food is one of these parameters. Food restriction is perceived by the organism as a signal of coming starvation; in response to it, the organism inhibits its counterproductive programs, in particular, aging. We hypothesize that the level of protein obtained with food is estimated based on blood concentration of one of the essential amino acids (methionine), of carbohydrates- via glucose level, and fats- based on the level of one of the free fatty acids. When the amount of available food is sufficient, these receptors transmit the signal allowing aging. In case of lack of food, this signal is cancelled, and as a result aging is inhibited, i.e. age-related weakening of physiological functions is inhibited, and lifespan increases (the well-known geroprotective effect of partial food restriction). In Caenorhabditis elegans, lowering of the ambient temperature has a similar effect. This geroprotective effect is removed by the knockout of one of the cold receptors, and replacement of the C. elegans receptor by a similar human receptor restores the ability of low temperature to increase the lifespan of the nematode. A chain of events linking the receptor with the aging mechanism has been discovered in mice - for one of the pain receptors in neurons, the nerve endings of which entwine pancreas β-cells. Age-related activation of these receptors inhibits the work of insulin genes in β-cells. Problems with insulin secretion lead to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and type II diabetes, which can be regarded as one of the forms of senile phenoptosis. In conclusion, we consider the role of some psychological factors in the regulation of the aging program.

Karakteristik Kimiawi dan Potensi Pemanfaatan Dunaliella salina dan Nannochloropsis

The objective of this research was to know the chemical characteristics and the potential utilization of D.salina and Nannochloropsis sp. The research has been conducted from December 2010 until April 2012 in Technology Of Fishery Product Laboratory, Aquaculture Laboratory, Bioprocess Laboratory University of Sriwijaya and Integrated Laboratory Bogor Agricultural University. The parameters observed were biomass dry weight, proximate (moisture content, ash content, protein content, fat content, and total carbohydrate content), carotenoid, and amino acids. Proximate composition of Nannochloropsis sp. obtained in this research were 58.00% ash content, moisture content 12.39%, protein content 16.17%, fat content 0.30%, total carbohydrate content 19.08%, total carotenoids 0.27 ppm, and essential amino acids (histidine, threonine, arginine , methionine, phenylalanine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine) and non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, alanine, and tyrosine). As for the sample D.salina were the ash content 58.29%, water content 15.58%, protein content 17.08%, fat content 0.003%, total carbohydrate content 15.07%, total carotenoids 0.19 ppm, and essential amino acids (histidine , threonine, arginine, methionine, phenylalanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine) and non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, alanine, and tyrosine). From the results of data analysis and chemical characteristics of dry weight D.salina and Nannochloropsis sp. obtained in this study, biomass produced this research has the chemical characteristics of lower quality than the quality requirements of microalgae as an industrial raw material of food, feed, biodiesel and bioethanol.

Amniotic fluid amino acid concentrations in fetal skeletal dysplasia

The authors’ objective was to measure amniotic fluid amino acid concentrations in pregnant women diagnosed as having fetuses with skeletal dysplasia in the second trimester of pregnancy. Eighteen pregnant women who had fetuses with with skeletal dysplasia detected by ultrasonography (skeletal dysplasia) in the second trimester and 35 women who had abnormal triple screenings indicating an increased risk for Down syndrome, but had healthy fetuses (control group), were enrolled in the study. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis. The chromosomal analysis of the study and control groups was normal. Levels of free amino acids and non-essential amino acids were measured in amniotic fluid samples using GC/FID free (physiological) amino acid kit by gas chromatography. The mean levels of essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine) in amniotic fluid were found to be significantly lower in fetuses with skeletal dysplasia than in the control group (p

Comparative Analysis of Mineral Elements and Essential Amino Acids Compositions in &lt;i&gt;Juglans sigillata&lt;i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;J. regia&lt;i&gt; Walnuts Kernels

Walnut high nutritional and economic values. The kernel is usually considered to be a good source of minerals and essential amino acids. In this paper, mineral elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc) and essential amino acids (phenylalanine, valine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, and lysine) composition's of kernels from 11 kinds of walnuts ( Juglans sigillata ) and 17 kinds of walnuts ( Juglans regia ) originated from China were determined by ICP-MS and HPLC, respectively. The order of nutritive mineral elements depending on their content (mg/100g) of samples was Mg> Ca> Zn> Mn> Fe> Cu in J. regia , while the order in J. sigillata was Mg> Ca> Mn> Fe > Zn > Cu. For essential amino acids, the order depending on the content (mg/g) of the essential amino acids in J. regia samples was leucine> isoleucine> valine> phenylalanine> lysine> threonine> methionine, while the order in J. sigillata was leucine> isoleucine> lysine> phenylalanine> valine> threonine> methionine. The kernels of walnuts ( J. regia and J. regia ) are good sources of health foods and dietary supplements. ‘Y029’ in Juglans sigillata and ‘XJ004’ in Juglans regia provided the best profiles of mineral elements and essential amino acids in comparison to others.

Development of selective inhibitors against homoserine transacetylase ő a novel target for drug development (976.2)

Homoserine transacetylase (HTA) lies at a branch point in the aspartate metabolic pathway which leads to the biosynthesis of the essential amino acids methionine and lysine in plants, bacteria and fungi. The branch leading to the synthesis of methionine and the essential methyl transfer cofactor S‐adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) starts with the acetylation of homoserine to form O‐acetylhomoserine catalyzed by HTA. AdoMet is also the substrate for a group of enzymes that synthesize acylhomoserine lactones, virulence signaling molecules in Gram‐negative bacteria. Since the aspartate pathway is not found in humans, but is necessary for bacterial survival, the reaction catalyzed by HTA is a critical control point for cell growth and viability and is a potential target for the development of new antibiotics. We have cloned and purified homoserine transacetylases from the Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Gram‐negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi Candida albicans. A sensitive coupled‐enzyme activity assay had been developed to determine the kinetic properties of each enzyme form. A customized fragment library has been screened against these enzymes and initial hits have been identified with inhibition constants (Ki) values in the low millimolar range. Docking studies with published HTA structures are being used to guide the design and development of potent inhibitors. Initial crystallization of these new enzyme forms have produced diffraction quality crystals that are being optimized for data collection. The long term goal of this project is to develop drugs that selectively target this enzyme and block the methionine biosynthetic pathway. This work is supported by funding from the NIH (AI077720).Grant Funding Source: NIH (AI077720)

Improved protein quality in transgenic soybean expressing a de novo synthetic protein, MB-16

To improve soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seed nutritional quality, a synthetic gene, MB-16 was introduced into the soybean genome to boost seed methionine content. MB-16, an 11kDa de novo protein enriched in the essential amino acids (EAAs) methionine, threonine, lysine and leucine, was originally developed for expression in rumen bacteria. For efficient seed expression, constructs were designed using the soybean codon bias, with and without the KDEL ER retention sequence, and β-conglycinin or cruciferin seed specific protein storage promoters. Homozygous lines, with single locus integrations, were identified for several transgenic events. Transgene transmission and MB-16 protein expression were confirmed to the T5 and T7 generations, respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of developing seed showed that the transcript peaked in growing seed, 5-6mm long, remained at this peak level to the full-sized green seed and then was significantly reduced in maturing yellow seed. Transformed events carrying constructs with the rumen bacteria codon preference showed the same transcription pattern as those with the soybean codon preference, but the transcript levels were lower at each developmental stage. MB-16 protein levels, as determined by immunoblots, were highest in full-sized green seed but the protein virtually disappeared in mature seed. However, amino acid analysis of mature seed, in the best transgenic line, showed a significant increase of 16.2 and 65.9% in methionine and cysteine, respectively, as compared to the parent. This indicates that MB-16 elevated the sulfur amino acids, improved the EAA seed profile and confirms that a de novo synthetic gene can enhance the nutritional quality of soybean.

A Comparative Study on Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effects of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Paecilomyces hepiali&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and Wild &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ophiocordyceps sinensis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

This study looked at comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activity between wild Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Paecilomyces hepiali. The chemical components investigated included amino acids, vitamins, dietary elements, protein, lipid, ash, carbohydrates, crude fibre, ergosterol and mannitol. Studies on pharmacological activity included anti-platelet aggregation, inhibitory effect on IL-8 gene expression, anti-mutagenic activity, skin whitening effect and impro- vement activity on human skin texture. The results show that P. hepiali has a larger total content of seven essential amino acids (leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine) than O. sinensis, 8580 mg/100g and 6180 mg/100g respectively. The total content of dietary elements analysed (potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium) was also higher in P. hepiali (3135 mg/100g) than that in O. sinensis (2445 mg/100g). The total content of four vitamins (B1, B2, B6 and E) was almost equal for both fungi. Paecilomyces hepiali had more content of protein, lipid, ash, carbohydrate, ergosterol and mannitol than O. sinensis. However, the contents of lipid and ash were not significantly different between the two fungi. The hot water extract of P. hepiali has been shown to have a number of pharmacological effects which include 1) inhibition of aggregation on human platelet, 2) inhibition of IL-8 gene expression, 3) anti-mutage- nic activity, 4) inhibition effect on production of melanin, and 5) improvement on human skin texture. Anti-platelet aggregation effects on human platelet, inhibition of IL-8 gene expression, anti-mutagenic activity and improvement effect on human skin texture were greater in P. hepiali treatments than that in wild O. sinensis.