RESUMO

Renal iron overload is a common complication of diabetes that leads to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the kidneys. This study investigated the effects of iron chelation using deferiprone on mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the renal cortex of a murine model of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic rats were treated with deferiprone (50 mg/kg BW) for 16 weeks. Our results show that iron chelation with deferiprone significantly increased the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes. This led to enhanced antioxidant capacity, reduced production of reactive oxygen species, and improved mitochondrial bioenergetic function in diabetic rats. However, chronic iron chelation led to altered mitochondrial respiration and increased oxidative stress in non-diabetic rats. In conclusion, our findings suggest that iron chelation with deferiprone protects mitochondrial bioenergetics and mitigates oxidative stress in the renal cortex, involving the NRF2 pathway in type 2 diabetes.

Assuntos

Deferiprona , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Córtex Renal , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2 , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Ratos , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Deferiprona/farmacologia , Deferiprona/uso terapêutico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Quelantes de Ferro/farmacologia , Córtex Renal/metabolismo , Córtex Renal/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator 2 Relacionado a NF-E2/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo

RESUMO

Multivalency in lectins plays a pivotal role in influencing glycan cross-linking, thereby affecting lectin functionality. This multivalency can be achieved through oligomerization, the presence of tandemly repeated carbohydrate recognition domains, or a combination of both. Unlike lectins that rely on multiple factors for the oligomerization of identical monomers, tandem-repeat lectins inherently possess multivalency, independent of this complex process. The repeat domains, although not identical, display slightly distinct specificities within a predetermined geometry, enhancing specificity, affinity, avidity and even oligomerization. Despite the recognition of this structural characteristic in recently discovered lectins by numerous studies, a unified criterion to define tandem-repeat lectins is still necessary. We suggest defining them multivalent lectins with intrachain tandem repeats corresponding to carbohydrate recognition domains, independent of oligomerization. This systematic review examines the folding and phyletic diversity of tandem-repeat lectins and refers to relevant literature. Our study categorizes all lectins with tandemly repeated carbohydrate recognition domains into nine distinct folding classes associated with specific biological functions. Our findings provide a comprehensive description and analysis of tandem-repeat lectins in terms of their functions and structural features. Our exploration of phyletic and functional diversity has revealed previously undocumented tandem-repeat lectins. We propose research directions aimed at enhancing our understanding of the origins of tandem-repeat lectin and fostering the development of medical and biotechnological applications, notably in the design of artificial sugars and neolectins.

Assuntos

Lectinas , Sequências de Repetição em Tandem , Animais , Humanos , Lectinas/química , Lectinas/metabolismo

RESUMO

Galectins are an evolutionarily ancient family of lectins characterized by their affinity for ß-galactosides and a conserved binding site in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). These lectins are involved in multiple physiological functions, including the recognition of glycans on the surface of viruses and bacteria. This feature supports their role in innate immune responses in marine mollusks. Here, we identified and characterized a galectin, from the mollusk Haliotis rufescens (named HrGal), with four CRDs that belong to the tandem-repeat type. HrGal was purified by affinity chromatography in a galactose-agarose resin and exhibited a molecular mass of 64.11 kDa determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The identity of HrGal was verified by sequencing, confirming that it is a 555 amino acid protein with a mass of 63.86 kDa. This protein corresponds to a galectin reported in GenBank with accession number AHX26603. HrGal is stable in the presence of urea, reducing agents, and ions such as Cu2+ and Zn2+. The recombinant galectin (rHrGal) was purified from inclusion bodies in the presence of these ions. A theoretical model obtained with the AlphaFold server exhibits four non-identical CRDs, with a ß sandwich folding and the representative motifs for binding ß-galactosides. This allows us to classify HrGal within the tandem repeat galectin family. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis, we found that the mollusk sequences form a monophyletic group of tetradomain galectins unrelated to vertebrate galectins. HrGal showed specificity for galactosides and glucosides but only the sulfated sugars heparin and ι-carrageenan inhibited its hemagglutinating activity with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 mM and 6.25 X 10-5% respectively. The position of the sulfate groups seemed crucial for binding, both by carrageenans and heparin.

Assuntos

Galectinas , Gastrópodes , Animais , Galectinas/química , Filogenia , Sulfatos , Galactosídeos/química , Gastrópodes/genética , Gastrópodes/metabolismo , Polissacarídeos , Moluscos/genética , Heparina

RESUMO

In addition to playing a central role in the mitochondria as the main producer of ATP, FOF1-ATP synthase performs diverse key regulatory functions in the cell membrane. Its malfunction has been linked to a growing number of human diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, cancer, and some neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and aging diseases. Furthermore, inhibition of this enzyme jeopardizes the survival of several bacterial pathogens of public health concern. Therefore, FOF1-ATP synthase has emerged as a novel drug target both to treat human diseases and to combat antibiotic resistance. In this work, we carried out a computational characterization of the binding sites of the fungal antibiotic aurovertin in the bovine F1 subcomplex, which shares a large identity with the human enzyme. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that although the binding sites can be described as preformed, the inhibitor hinders inter-subunit communications and exerts long-range effects on the dynamics of the catalytic site residues. End-point binding free energy calculations revealed hot spot residues for aurovertin recognition. These residues were also relevant to stabilize solvent sites determined from mixed-solvent molecular dynamics, which mimic the interaction between aurovertin and the enzyme, and could be used as pharmacophore constraints in virtual screening campaigns. To explore the possibility of finding species-specific inhibitors targeting the aurovertin binding site, we performed free energy calculations for two bacterial enzymes with experimentally solved 3D structures. Finally, an analysis of bacterial sequences was carried out to determine conservation of the aurovertin binding site. Taken together, our results constitute a first step in paving the way for structure-based development of new allosteric drugs targeting FOF1-ATP synthase sites of exogenous inhibitors.

RESUMO

Oxidative stress is a factor that contributes to the development of complications in diabetes; however, its effects can be counteracted using exogenous antioxidants that are found in some plants, which is why people turn to traditional medicines in the search for therapeutic treatment. Justicia spicigera has been demonstrated to have the capacity to reduce glycemic levels; however, its effects on non-insulin-dependent organs such as the liver have not been reported. During 30 days of administration of Justicia spicigera ethanol extract, the blood glucose and weight of rats were measured every 5 days. Once the treatment was concluded, the rats were sacrificed. Corporal weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglycerides, total lipids, and liver profile were reduced in the diabetic condition and normalized with the application of ethanol extract from J. spicigera (EJS). Additionally, there was a significant increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in the control diabetic rats, a decrease in their activity with the extract administration, and no effect on normoglycemic rats. In conclusion, EJS is considered to be capable of reducing oxidative stress by maintaining diminished lipid and liver function profiles in male Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Assuntos

Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Justicia , Animais , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/uso terapêutico , Glicemia , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Etanol/farmacologia , Humanos , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Estresse Oxidativo , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Estreptozocina

RESUMO

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (such as occlusion of the coronary arteries, hypertensive heart diseases and strokes) are diseases that generate thousands of patients with a high mortality rate worldwide. Many of these cardiovascular pathologies, during their development, generate a state of oxidative stress that leads to a deterioration in the patient's conditions associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Within these reactive species we find superoxide anion (O2•-), hydroxyl radical (•OH), nitric oxide (NO•), as well as other species of non-free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hypochlorous acid (HClO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). A molecule that actively participates in counteracting the oxidizing effect of reactive species is reduced glutathione (GSH), a tripeptide that is present in all tissues and that its synthesis and/or regeneration is very important to be able to respond to the increase in oxidizing agents. In this review, we will address the role of glutathione, its synthesis in both the heart and the liver, and its importance in preventing or reducing deleterious ROS effects in cardiovascular diseases.

RESUMO

G protein-activated inward-rectifying potassium (K+ ) channels (Kir3/GIRK) participate in cell excitability. The GIRK5 channel is present in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In an attempt to investigate the physiological role of GIRK5, we identified a noncanonical di-arginine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif (KRXY). This retention motif is located at the N-terminal region of GIRK5, coded by two small exons found only in X. laevis and X. tropicalis. These novel exons are expressed through use of an alternative transcription start site. Mutations in the sequence KRXY produced functional channels and induced progesterone-independent oocyte meiotic progression. The chimeric proteins enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-GIRK5-WT and the EGFP-GIRK5K13AR14A double mutant, were localized to the ER and the plasma membrane of the vegetal pole of the oocyte, respectively. Silencing of GIRK5 or blocking of this channel by external barium prevented progesterone-induced meiotic progression. The endogenous level of GIRK5 protein decreased through oocyte stages in prophase I augmenting by progesterone. In conclusion, we have identified a unique mechanism by which the expression pattern of a K+ channel evolved to control Xenopus oocyte maturation.

Assuntos

Motivos de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Retículo Endoplasmático/metabolismo , Canais de Potássio Corretores do Fluxo de Internalização Acoplados a Proteínas G/química , Canais de Potássio Corretores do Fluxo de Internalização Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Oócitos/metabolismo , Domínios e Motivos de Interação entre Proteínas , Proteínas de Xenopus/química , Proteínas de Xenopus/metabolismo , Animais , Sequência Conservada , Canais de Potássio Corretores do Fluxo de Internalização Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Humanos , Oócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Filogenia , Ligação Proteica , Proteínas de Xenopus/genética , Xenopus laevis

RESUMO

Spatiotemporal regulation of cAMP within the cell is required to achieve receptor-specific responses. The mechanism through which the cell selects a specific response to newly synthesized cAMP is not fully understood. In hepatocyte plasma membranes, we identified two functional and independent cAMP-responsive signaling protein macrocomplexes that produce, use, degrade, and regulate their own nondiffusible (sequestered) cAMP pool to achieve their specific responses. Each complex responds to the stimulation of an adenosine G protein-coupled receptor (Ado-GPCR), bound to either A2A or A2B , but not simultaneously to both. Each isoprotein involved in each signaling cascade was identified by measuring changes in cAMP levels after receptor activation, and its participation was confirmed by antibody-mediated inactivation. A2A -Ado-GPCR selective stimulation activates adenylyl cyclase 6 (AC6), which is bound to AKAP79/150, to synthesize cAMP which is used by two other AKAP79/150-tethered proteins: protein kinase A (PKA) and phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A). In contrast, A2B -Ado-GPCR stimulation activates D-AKAP2-attached AC5 to generate cAMP, which is channeled to two other D-AKAP2-tethered proteins: guanine-nucleotide exchange factor 2 (Epac2) and PDE3B. In both cases, prior activation of PKA or Epac2 with selective cAMP analogs prevents de novo cAMP synthesis. In addition, we show that cAMP does not diffuse between these protein macrocomplexes or 'signalosomes'. Evidence of coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization of some proteins belonging to each signalosome is presented. Each signalosome constitutes a minimal functional signaling unit with its own machinery to synthesize and regulate a sequestered cAMP pool. Thus, each signalosome is devoted to ensure the transmission of a unique and unequivocal message through the cell.

Assuntos

Adenilil Ciclases/metabolismo , AMP Cíclico/biossíntese , Hepatócitos/metabolismo , Receptor A2A de Adenosina/metabolismo , Receptor A2B de Adenosina/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Proteínas de Ancoragem à Quinase A/genética , Proteínas de Ancoragem à Quinase A/metabolismo , Adenilil Ciclases/genética , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/genética , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Nucleotídeo Cíclico Fosfodiesterase do Tipo 3/genética , Nucleotídeo Cíclico Fosfodiesterase do Tipo 3/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/genética , Fatores de Troca do Nucleotídeo Guanina/metabolismo , Hepatócitos/citologia , Masculino , Cultura Primária de Células , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptor A2A de Adenosina/genética , Receptor A2B de Adenosina/genética

RESUMO

In fungi, heterotrimeric G proteins are key regulators of biological processes such as mating, virulence, morphology, among others. Mucor circinelloides is a model organism for many biological processes, and its genome contains the largest known repertoire of genes that encode putative heterotrimeric G protein subunits in the fungal kingdom: twelve Gα (McGpa1-12), three Gß (McGpb1-3), and three Gγ (McGpg1-3). Phylogenetic analysis of fungal Gα showed that they are divided into four distinct groups as reported previously. Fungal Gß and Gγ are also divided into four phylogenetic groups, and to our understanding this is the first report of a phylogenetic classification for fungal Gß and Gγ subunits. Almost all genes that encode putative heterotrimeric G subunits in M. circinelloides are differentially expressed during dimorphic growth, except for McGpg1 (Gγ) that showed very low mRNA levels at all developmental stages. Moreover, several of the subunits are expressed in a similar pattern and at the same level, suggesting that they constitute discrete complexes. For example, McGpb3 (Gß), and McGpg2 (Gγ), are co-expressed during mycelium growth, and McGpa1, McGpb2, and McGpg2, are co-expressed during yeast development. These findings provide the conceptual framework to study the biological role of these genes during M. circinelloides morphogenesis.

Assuntos

Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Proteínas Heterotriméricas de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Mucor/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Mucor/metabolismo , Filogenia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Proteínas Fúngicas/química , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Regulação Fúngica da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas Heterotriméricas de Ligação ao GTP/química , Proteínas Heterotriméricas de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Morfogênese , Mucor/química , Mucor/genética , Alinhamento de Sequência

RESUMO

To find out the residues that influence the coenzyme preference of aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), we reviewed, analyzed and correlated data from their known crystal structures and amino-acid sequences with their published kinetic parameters for NAD(P)(+). We found that the conformation of the Rossmann-fold loops participating in binding the adenosine ribose is very conserved among ALDHs, so that coenzyme specificity is mainly determined by the nature of the residue at position 195 (human ALDH2 numbering). Enzymes with glutamate or proline at 195 prefer NAD(+) because the side-chains of these residues electrostatically and/or sterically repel the 2'-phosphate group of NADP(+). But contrary to the conformational rigidity of proline, the conformational flexibility of glutamate may allow NADP(+)-binding in some enzymes by moving the carboxyl group away from the 2'-phosphate group, which is possible if a small neutral residue is located at position 224, and favored if the residue at position 53 interacts with Glu195 in a NADP(+)-compatible conformation. Of the residues found at position 195, only glutamate interacts with the NAD(+)-adenosine ribose; glutamine and histidine cannot since their side-chain points are opposite to the ribose, probably because the absence of the electrostatic attraction by the conserved nearby Lys192, or its electrostatic repulsion, respectively. The shorter side-chains of other residues-aspartate, serine, threonine, alanine, valine, leucine, or isoleucine-are distant from the ribose but leave room for binding the 2'-phosphate group. Generally, enzymes having a residue different from Glu bind NAD(+) with less affinity, but they can also bind NADP(+) even sometimes with higher affinity than NAD(+), as do enzymes containing Thr/Ser/Gln195. Coenzyme preference is a variable feature within many ALDH families, consistent with being mainly dependent on a single residue that apparently has no other structural or functional roles, and therefore can easily be changed through evolution and selected in response to physiological needs.

Assuntos

Aldeído Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação/genética , Coenzimas/metabolismo , Especificidade por Substrato/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Ácido Glutâmico/metabolismo , Humanos , Cinética , Modelos Moleculares , NAD/metabolismo , NADP/metabolismo , Eletricidade Estática

RESUMO

The Bacillus subtilis strain 168 genome contains the chr3N-chr3C genes encoding the Chr3N/Chr3C protein pair of the chromate ion transporter (CHR) superfamily. Chr3N/Chr3C confers chromate resistance in Escherichia coli only when both proteins are expressed. Upstream of chr3N is the chrS gene encoding ChrS, a protein with homology to the Lrp/AsnC family of transcriptional regulators. When the chrS-chr3N-chr3C gene cluster was transferred to E. coli, a diminished level of chromate resistance was observed, as compared with E. coli transformants bearing only the chromate resistance genes, which displayed full resistance. These data suggested that the chrS gene product acts as negative regulator. RT-PCR assays demonstrated that expression of chrS diminishes transcription of the chromate resistance genes in E. coli, and that this repression was overcome by chromate. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that purified ChrS protein specifically binds to the 5' region of chrS. These results indicate that the chr gene cluster forms an operon regulated negatively by ChrS binding to its own gene's regulatory region, and positively by chromate ions. Sequence analysis revealed similar operons in many Bacillales strains, suggesting some adaptive advantage. This is the first example of a bacterial heavy-metal resistance system controlled by an Lrp-type transcriptional regulator.

Assuntos

Bacillus subtilis/genética , Bacillus subtilis/metabolismo , Cromatos/metabolismo , Regulação Bacteriana da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Membrana Transportadoras/biossíntese , Proteínas Repressoras/genética , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo , Cromatos/toxicidade , DNA Bacteriano/metabolismo , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Ensaio de Desvio de Mobilidade Eletroforética , Escherichia coli/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Proteína Reguladora de Resposta a Leucina/genética , Família Multigênica , Óperon , Ligação Proteica , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo

RESUMO

Potassium ions are non-essential activators of several aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs), whereas a few others require the cation for activity. Two kinds of cation-binding sites, which we named intra-subunit and inter-subunit, have been observed in crystal structures of ALDHs, and based on reported crystallographic data, we here propose the existence of a third kind located in the central cavity of some tetrameric ALDHs. Given the high structural similarity between these enzymes, cation-binding sites may be present in many other members of this superfamily. To explore the prevalence of these sites, we compared 37 known crystal structures from 13 different ALDH families and evaluated the possible existence of a cation on the basis of the number, distance and geometry of its potential interactions, as well as of B-factor values of modeled cations obtained in new refinements of some reported crystal structures. Also, by performing multiple alignments of 855 non-redundant amino acid sequences, we assessed the degree of conservation in their respective families of the amino acid residues putatively relevant for cation binding. Among the ALDH enzymes studied, and according to our analyses, potential intra-subunit cation-binding sites seem to be present in most members of ALDH2, ALDH1L, ALDH4, ALDH5, ALDH7, ALDH10, and ALDH25 families, as well as in the bacterial and fungal members of the ALDH9 family and in a few ALDH1, ALDH6, ALDH11 and ALDH26 enzymes; potential inter-subunit sites in members of ALDH1L, ALDH3, ALDH4 from bacillales, ALDH5, ALDH7, ALDH9, ALDH10, ALDH11 and ALDH25 families; and potential central-cavity sites only in some bacterial and animal ALDH9s and in most members of the ALDH1L family. Because potassium is the most abundant intracellular cation, we propose that these are potassium-binding sites, but the specific structural and/or functional roles of the cation bound to these different sites remain to be investigated.

Assuntos

Aldeído Desidrogenase/química , Aldeído Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Cátions Monovalentes/química , Cátions Monovalentes/metabolismo , Bacillus subtilis/enzimologia , Bacillus subtilis/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação , Cristalografia por Raios X/métodos , Escherichia coli/enzimologia , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Modelos Moleculares , Alinhamento de Sequência , Staphylococcus aureus/enzimologia , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismo

RESUMO

Within the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily, proteins belonging to the ALDH9, ALDH10, ALDH25, ALDH26 and ALDH27 families display activity as ω-aminoaldehyde dehydrogenases (AMADHs). These enzymes participate in polyamine, choline and arginine catabolism, as well as in synthesis of several osmoprotectants and carnitine. Active site aromatic and acidic residues are involved in binding the ω-aminoaldehydes in plant ALDH10 enzymes. In order to ascertain the degree of conservation of these residues among AMADHs and to evaluate their possible relevance in determining the aminoaldehyde specificity, we compared the known amino acid sequences of every ALDH family that have at least one member with known crystal structure, as well as the electrostatic potential surface of the aldehyde binding sites of these structures. Our analyses showed that four or three aromatic residues form a similar "aromatic box" in the active site of the AMADH enzymes, being the equivalents to Phe170 and Trp177 (human ALDH2 numbering) strictly conserved in all of them, which supports their relevance in binding the aminoaldehyde by cation-π interactions. In addition, all AMADHs exhibit a negative electrostatic potential surface in the aldehyde-entrance tunnel, due to side-chain carboxyl and hydroxyl groups or main-chain carbonyl groups. In contrast, ALDHs that have non-polar or negatively charged substrates exhibit neutral or positive electrostatic potential surfaces, respectively. Finally, our comparative sequence analyses revealed that the residues equivalent to Asp121 and Phe170 are highly conserved in many ALDH families irrespective of their substrate specificity-suggesting that they perform a role in catalysis additional or different to binding of the substrate-and that the positions Met124, Cys301, and Cys303 are hot spots changed during evolution to confer aldehyde specificity to several ALDH families.

Assuntos

Aldeído Desidrogenase/química , Aldeído Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Aldeídos/química , Aldeídos/metabolismo , Aminoácidos/química , Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Sítios de Ligação , Domínio Catalítico , Cristalografia por Raios X/métodos , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Especificidade por Substrato

RESUMO

In most eukaryotes the subunit 2 of cytochrome c oxidase (COX2) is encoded in intact mitochondrial genes. Some green algae, however, exhibit split cox2 genes (cox2a and cox2b) encoding two polypeptides (COX2A and COX2B) that form a heterodimeric COX2 subunit. Here, we analyzed the distribution of intact and split cox2 gene sequences in 39 phylogenetically diverse green algae in phylum Chlorophyta obtained from databases (28 sequences from 22 taxa) and from new cox2 data generated in this work (23 sequences from 18 taxa). Our results support previous observations based on a smaller number of taxa, indicating that algae in classes Prasinophyceae, Ulvophyceae, and Trebouxiophyceae contain orthodox, intact mitochondrial cox2 genes. In contrast, all of the algae in Chlorophyceae that we examined exhibited split cox2 genes, and could be separated into two groups: one that has a mitochondrion-localized cox2a gene and a nucleus-localized cox2b gene ("Scenedesmus-like"), and another that has both cox2a and cox2b genes in the nucleus ("Chlamydomonas-like"). The location of the split cox2a and cox2b genes was inferred using five different criteria: differences in amino acid sequences, codon usage (mitochondrial vs. nuclear), codon preference (third position frequencies), presence of nucleotide sequences encoding mitochondrial targeting sequences and presence of spliceosomal introns. Distinct green algae could be grouped according to the form of cox2 gene they contain: intact or fragmented, mitochondrion- or nucleus-localized, and intron-containing or intron-less. We present a model describing the events that led to mitochondrial cox2 gene fragmentation and the independent and sequential migration of cox2a and cox2b genes to the nucleus in chlorophycean green algae. We also suggest that the distribution of the different forms of the cox2 gene provides important insights into the phylogenetic relationships among major groups of Chlorophyceae.

Assuntos

Núcleo Celular/genética , Clorófitas/genética , Ciclo-Oxigenase 2/genética , Modelos Genéticos , Filogenia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Bases , Análise por Conglomerados , Códon/genética , Biologia Computacional , Primers do DNA/genética , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Funções Verossimilhança , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Especificidade da Espécie

RESUMO

Sulfur is an essential element for microorganisms and it can be obtained from varied compounds, sulfate being the preferred source. The first step for sulfate assimilation, sulfate uptake, has been studied in several bacterial species. This article reviews the properties of different bacterial (and archaeal) transporters for sulfate, molybdate, and related oxyanions. Sulfate uptake is carried out by sulfate permeases that belong to the SulT (CysPTWA), SulP, CysP/(PiT), and CysZ families. The oxyanions molybdate, tungstate, selenate and chromate are structurally related to sulfate. Molybdate is transported mainly by the high-affinity ModABC system and tungstate by the TupABC and WtpABC systems. CysPTWA, ModABC, TupABC, and WtpABC are homologous ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-type transporters with similar organization and properties. Uptake of selenate and chromate oxyanions occurs mainly through sulfate permeases.

Assuntos

Molibdênio/metabolismo , Sulfatos/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte de Ânions/metabolismo , Ânions/metabolismo , Bactérias/metabolismo , Transporte Biológico , Cromatos/metabolismo , Ácido Selênico , Compostos de Selênio/metabolismo , Compostos de Tungstênio/metabolismo

RESUMO

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity is widely distributed in all phyla. In animals, three non-homologous NAD(P)(+)-dependent ADH protein families are reported. These arose independently throughout evolution and possess different structures and mechanisms of reaction: type I (medium-chain) ADHs are zinc-containing enzymes and comprise the most studied group in vertebrates; type II (short-chain) ADHs lack metal cofactor and have been extensively studied in Drosophila; and type III ADHs are iron-dependent/-activated enzymes that were initially identified only in microorganisms. The presence of these different ADHs in animals has been assumed to be a consequence of chronic exposure to ethanol. By far the most common natural source of ethanol is fermentation of fruit sugars by yeast, and available data support that this fruit trait evolved in concert with the characteristics of their frugivorous seed dispersers. Therefore, if the presence of ADHs in animals evolved as an adaptive response to dietary ethanol exposure, then it can be expected that the enzymogenesis of these enzymes began after the appearance of angiosperms with fleshy fruits, because substrate availability must precede enzyme selection. In this work, available evidence supporting this possibility is discussed. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that type II ADHs suffered several duplications, all of these restricted to flies (order Diptera). Induction of type II Adh by ethanol exposure, a positive correlation between ADH activity and ethanol resistance, and the fact that flies and type II Adh diversification occurred in concert with angiosperm diversification, strongly suggest that type II ADHs were recruited to allow larval flies to exploit new restricted niches with high ethanol content. In contrast, phyletic distribution of types I and III ADHs in animals showed that these appeared before angiosperms and land plants, independently of ethanol availability. Because these enzymes are not induced by ethanol exposure and possess a high affinity and/or catalytic efficiency for non-ethanol endogenous substrates, it can be concluded that the participation of types I and III ADHs in ethanol metabolism can be considered as incidental, and not adaptive.

Assuntos

Álcool Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Produtos Biológicos/metabolismo , Etanol/metabolismo , Álcool Desidrogenase/classificação , Animais , Humanos

RESUMO

Chromium is a non-essential and well-known toxic metal for microorganisms and plants. The widespread industrial use of this heavy metal has caused it to be considered as a serious environmental pollutant. Chromium exists in nature as two main species, the trivalent form, Cr(III), which is relatively innocuous, and the hexavalent form, Cr(VI), considered a more toxic species. At the intracellular level, however, Cr(III) seems to be responsible for most toxic effects of chromium. Cr(VI) is usually present as the oxyanion chromate. Inhibition of sulfate membrane transport and oxidative damage to biomolecules are associated with the toxic effects of chromate in bacteria. Several bacterial mechanisms of resistance to chromate have been reported. The best characterized mechanisms comprise efflux of chromate ions from the cell cytoplasm and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Chromate efflux by the ChrA transporter has been established in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Cupriavidus metallidurans (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus) and consists of an energy-dependent process driven by the membrane potential. The CHR protein family, which includes putative ChrA orthologs, currently contains about 135 sequences from all three domains of life. Chromate reduction is carried out by chromate reductases from diverse bacterial species generating Cr(III) that may be detoxified by other mechanisms. Most characterized enzymes belong to the widespread NAD(P)H-dependent flavoprotein family of reductases. Several examples of bacterial systems protecting from the oxidative stress caused by chromate have been described. Other mechanisms of bacterial resistance to chromate involve the expression of components of the machinery for repair of DNA damage, and systems related to the homeostasis of iron and sulfur.

Assuntos

Compostos de Cromo/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Transporte Biológico , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Compostos de Cromo/química , Compostos de Cromo/metabolismo , Humanos , Oxirredução , Estresse Oxidativo

RESUMO

Inosine, an endogenous nucleoside, has recently been shown to exert potent effects on the immune, neural, and cardiovascular systems. This work addresses modulation of intermediary metabolism by inosine through adenosine receptors (ARs) in isolated rat hepatocytes. We conducted an in silico search in the GenBank and complete genomic sequence databases for additional adenosine/inosine receptors and for a feasible physiological role of inosine in homeostasis. Inosine stimulated glycogenolysis (approximately 40%, EC50 4.2 x 10(-9) M), gluconeogenesis (approximately 40%, EC50 7.8 x 10(-9) M), and ureagenesis (approximately 130%, EC50 7.0 x 10(-8) M) compared with basal values; these effects were blunted by the selective A3 AR antagonist 9-chloro-2-(2-furanyl)-5-[(phenylacetyl)amino][1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline (MRS 1220) but not by selective A1, A2A, and A2B AR antagonists. In addition, MRS 1220 antagonized inosine-induced transient increase (40%) in cytosolic Ca2+ and enhanced (90%) glycogen phosphorylase activity. Inosine-induced Ca2+ mobilization was desensitized by adenosine; in a reciprocal manner, inosine desensitized adenosine action. Inosine decreased the cAMP pool in hepatocytes when A1, A2A, and A2B AR were blocked by a mixture of selective antagonists. Inosine-promoted metabolic changes were unrelated to cAMP decrease but were Ca2+ dependent because they were absent in hepatocytes incubated in EGTA- or BAPTA-AM-supplemented Ca2+-free medium. After in silico analysis, no additional cognate adenosine/inosine receptors were found in human, mouse, and rat. In both perfused rat liver and isolated hepatocytes, hypoxia/reoxygenation produced an increase in inosine, adenosine, and glucose release; these actions were quantitatively greater in perfused rat liver than in isolated cells. Moreover, all of these effects were impaired by the antagonist MRS 1220. On the basis of results obtained, known higher extracellular inosine levels under ischemic conditions, and inosine's higher sensitivity for stimulating hepatic gluconeogenesis, it is suggested that, after tissular ischemia, inosine contributes to the maintenance of homeostasis by releasing glucose from the liver through stimulation of A3 ARs.

Assuntos

Glucose/metabolismo , Hepatócitos/metabolismo , Inosina/metabolismo , Receptor A3 de Adenosina/fisiologia , Adenosina/metabolismo , Adenosina/farmacologia , Antagonistas do Receptor A3 de Adenosina , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Hipóxia Celular , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Gluconeogênese/efeitos dos fármacos , Glicogênio Fosforilase/metabolismo , Glicogenólise/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Inosina/farmacologia , Fígado/metabolismo , Masculino , Filogenia , Agonistas do Receptor Purinérgico P1 , Antagonistas de Receptores Purinérgicos P1 , Quinazolinas/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptor A3 de Adenosina/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Receptores Purinérgicos/genética , Receptores Purinérgicos P1/genética , Triazóis/farmacologia , Ureia/metabolismo

RESUMO

The relative apportionment of hydrocarbons (HCs) coming from mobile, fixed, and other sources (not correlated either to carbon monoxide [CO] or sulfur dioxide [SO2] emissions as solvent evaporation and biogenic sources) is calculated as previously proposed by Riveros et al.1 through the linear approximation [HC]tol = [HC]0 + m1 [CO] + m2 [SO2], where m1 and m2 are fitted constants. The obtained apportionment with air samples taken in 1993 is consistent with the earlier published apportionment with air samples taken in 1992, validating the previous procedure. This analysis suggests that 75% of HC originate from mobile sources, 5-18% from fixed sources, and 7-20% from other sources (mainly solvents and bio-genic sources). A similar analysis was employed to estimate the relative contribution of HCs and nitric oxides (NO2) to ozone (O3) formation, the most important air pollutant in Mexico City. In this way, through a local lineation of O3 isopleths, simultaneous measurements of HC and NO2 in the atmosphere were fitted to the equation-[O3]peak = [O3]0 + ma [HC] + mb [NO2]-to predict O3 peak. With these data, the adjusted parameters show that NO2, not HC as was proposed previously, is the most important contributor to O3 formation.

RESUMO

Ehtanol or wthyl alcohol is a molecule that, in mammals, is naturally present at low concentrations due to its production by gastrointestinal flora fermentation activity. However, it is remarkable that this metabolite, with a clearly minor role in regular vertebrate metabolism, can be oxidized into acetaldehyde through several ensymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms, which comprise the activity of more than ten ensymes and isozymes, many of them broadly distributed in different specie and tissues. In correspondence, acetaldehyde can also be oxidized into acetate through several enzymatic pathways that involve about ten enzymes and isozymes which also have a broad distribution In this article, a complete review of the aforementioned metabolic pathways is elaborated. From this group, the participation and wide distribution of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase systems are emphasized. The mechanism of reaction, kinetic characteristics and physiological relevance are described, and finally, the possible physiological role of these enzymatic systems as responsible to synthesize or catabolize several endogenous metabolites that regulate growth, metabolism, differentiation and neuroendocrine function in mammals are discussed

Assuntos

Humanos , Animais , Acetaldeído/metabolismo , Álcool Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Aldeído Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Etanol/metabolismo , Mamíferos/metabolismo