Functional characterization of the NF-kB binding site in the human NOD2 promoter

Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2(NOD2),a member of the NOD protein family,plays an important role in innate immunity.In response to pathogen attack,NOD2 stimulates cytokine and defensin production by activating nuclear factor(NF)-kB,a key transcription factor responsible for mediating downstream reactions.However,the mechanism linking NOD2 regulation and NF-kB activation is poorly understood.Using bioinformatics,we found a completely preserved canonical NF-kB binding site in the NOD2 core promoter(216 to 225 bp)in both humans and chimpanzees.The functional role of this NF-kB binding site was investigated using the enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP)reporter system,site-directed mutagenesis,the NF-kB activation inhibitor(JSH-23)and the chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)assay.The results show that the NF-kB binding site is critical for regulation of the NOD2 gene.Either deletion of the NF-kB binding elements within the NOD2 promoter or treatment with an NF-kB activation inhibitor could lead to a significant loss of NOD2 promoter activity as detected by reporter gene assay.The canonical NF-kB binding site was bound by NF-kB as determined by the ChIP method.Based on these results,we suggest a positive feedback regulation between NF-kB and NOD2,which may represent an efficient mechanism in response to pathogen invasion.

Studies of Site Specific DNA Binding of Small Peptides by Competitive Assays with Hoechst 33258

With a view to finding out precisely how small peptides recognize a particular binding site of DNA, we have accomplished DNA binding studies of two peptides, H-Tyr-Arg-OH (YR) and H-Gly-Gly-His-OH (GGH) by using measurements in comparison with the binding between DNA and Hoechst 33258. The inhibition mode by YR and GGH to DNA binding of Hoechst 33258 was analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk plot which shows the plot of typical competitive inhibition at concentration of Hoechst 33258 from 3.66 ( 10-9 mol / L to 1.09 ( 10-8 mol / L. And it is concluded that YR binds to DNA in its minor groove (AT rich regions) with a binding constant K = 1.02 ( 108 (mol / L)-1. The GGH(s specificity is reduced at high concentration because it can also bind GC base pair.

Prediction of protein binding sites using physical and chemical descriptors and the support vector machine regression method

In this paper a new continuous variable called core-ratio is defined to describe the probability for a residue to be in a binding site, thereby replacing the previous binary description of the interface residue using 0 and 1. So we can use the support vector machine regression method to fit the core-ratio value and predict the protein binding sites. We also design a new group of physical and chemical descriptors to characterize the binding sites. The new descriptors are more effective, with an averaging procedure used. Our test shows that much better prediction results can be obtained by the support vector regression （SVR） method than by the support vector classification method.

Disruption of NAD^+ binding site in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase affects its intranuclear interactions

AIM:To characterize phosphorylation of human glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),and mobility of GAPDH in cancer cells treated with chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS:We used proteomics analysis to detect and characterize phosphorylation sites within human GAPDH. Site-specific mutagenesis and alanine scanning was then performed to evaluate functional significance of phosphorylation sites in the GAPDH polypeptide chain. Enzymatic properties of mutated GAPDH variants were assessed using kinetic studies. Intranuclear dynamics parameters(diffusion coefficient and the immobile fraction) were estimated using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching(FRAP) experiments and confocal microscopy. Molecular modeling experiments were performed to estimate the effects of mutations on NAD+ cofactor binding.RESULTS:Using MALDI-TOF analysis,we identified novel phosphorylation sites within the NAD+ binding center of GAPDH at Y94,S98,and T99. Using polyclonal antibody specific to phospho-T99-containing peptide within GAPDH,we demonstrated accumulation of phospho-T99-GAPDH inthe nuclear fractions of A549,HCT116,and SW48 cancer cel s after cytotoxic stress. We performed site-mutagenesis,and estimated enzymatic properties,intranuclear distribution,and intranuclear mobility of GAPDH mutated variants. Site-mutagenesis at positions S98 and T99 in the NAD+ binding center reduced enzymatic activity of GAPDH due to decreased affinity to NAD+(Km = 741 ± 257 μmol/L in T99 I vs 57 ± 11.1 μmol/L in wild type GAPDH. Molecular modeling experiments revealed the effect of mutations on NAD+ binding with GAPDH. FRAP(fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching) analysis showed that mutations in NAD+ binding center of GAPDH abrogated its intranuclear interactions. CONCLUSION:Our results suggest an important functional role of phosphorylated amino acids in the NAD+ binding center in GAPDH interactions with its intranuclear partners.

Identifying changes in punitive transcriptional factor binding sites from regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms that are significantly associated with disease or sickness

AIM To identify punitive transcriptional factor binding sites(TFBS) from regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms(rS NPs) that are significantly associated with disease.METHODS The genome-wide association studies have provided us with nearly 6500 disease or trait-predisposing SNPs where 93% are located within non-coding regions such as gene regulatory or intergenic areas of the genome. In the regulatory region of a gene, a SNP can change the DNA sequence of a transcriptional factor(TF) motif and in turn may affect the process of gene regulation. SNP changes that affect gene expression and impact gene regulatory sequences such as promoters, enhancers, and silencers are known as rS NPs. Computational tools can be used to identify unique punitive TFBS created by rS NPs that are associated with disease or sickness. Computational analysis was used to identify punitive TFBS generated by the alleles of these rS NPs.RESULTS r SNPs within nine genes that have been significantly associated with disease or sickness were used to illustrate the tremendous diversity of punitive unique TFBS that can be generated by their alleles. The genes studied are the adrenergic, beta, receptor kinase 1, the v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 3, the activating transcription factor 3, the type 2 demodkinase gene, the endothetal Per-Arnt-Sim domain protein 1, the lysosomal acid lipase A, the signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 4, the thromboxane A2 receptor and the vascular endothelial growth factor A. From this sampling of SNPs among the nine genes, there are 73 potential unique TFBS generated by the common alleles comparedto 124 generated by the minor alleles indicating the tremendous diversity of potential TFs that are capable of regulating these genes.CONCLUSION From the diversity of unique punitive binding sites for TFs, it was found that some TFs play a role in the disease or sickness being studied.

Involvement of flumazenil-insensitive benzodiazepine binding site in benzodiazepine-induced anesthesia in zebrafish larvae

OBJECTIVE To identify the involvement of flumazenil-insensitive benzodiazepine(BZD) binding site in mediating BZD-induced immobility.The distribution of this nonclassical binding site and its key amino acid residues in GABAAreceptors(GABAARs) were also investigated.METHODS Using a zebrafish larvae locomotion model,we investigated the detailed dose-dependent effects of diazepam and other BZDs on zebrafish larvae behaviors,with a focus on their high-dose effects.We then evaluated the influence of the classical BZD antagonist flumazenil,GABAARs antagonist bicuculline,and the antagonist of a proposed BZD binding site in α4/6β3δ subtype receptor Ro15-4513 on BZDs induced immobility.Using wholecell patch clamp electrophysiological recordings on recombinant GABAARs,we investigated the modulation of diazepam alone or combined with flumazenil on GABA-elicited current in wildtype and mutated receptors.RESULTS Diazepam dose-dependently decreased the locomotor activities of zebrafish larvae at doses of 0.4,2,10,20,30,50 and 75 mg·L^(-1).The hypolocomotion(sedation-like state) induced by diazepam at10 and 20 mg·L^(-1) were effectively antagonized by flumazenil with EC150 of 0.086 mg·L-and1.295 mg·L^(-1),while the immobility(anesthesialike state) induced by diazepam at 30 mg·L^(-1) was abolished by bicuculline(3 mg·L^(-1)),but not affected by flumazenil(even at concentration up to150 mg·L^(-1)) or Ro15-4513(100 mg·L^(-1)).The immobility induced by clonazepam and lorazepam(100 mg·L^(-1)) was also resistant to flumazenil(100 mg·L^(-1)).In the α1β2γ2 subtype receptor expressed in HEK293 T cells,diazepam dose-dependently potentiated GABA-elicited current,and this potentiation was effectively antagonized by flumazenil(100 μmol·L^(-1)).However,in α1β2 subtype receptor,diazepam(150 μmol·L^(-1)) induced potentiation was insensitive to flumazenil(100 μmol·L^(-1)),but was abolished by the mutation of β2 N265 I.CONCLUSION These results provide direct in vivo evidence for the nonclassical binding sites,which may be located at the second transmembrane domain of GABAAR,mediate BZD-induced anesthesia.

THE EFFECTS OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE VS. AMITRIPTYLINE ON PLATELET 3H-PAROXETINE BINDING SITES IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS

In this study platelet 3H-paroxetine binding site was studied in 16 depressed pa-tients and 16 healthy volunteers. We found that the mean Bmax of 3H-paroxetine binding on theplatelets of depressed patients was significantly lower than that of normal controls. After treated withamitriptyline or electro-acupuncture for 6 weeks, the density of paroxetine binding sites increased to-wards normal in well responded patients. But no significant difference was found between electro-acupuncture and amitriptyline as compared in their effects on 3H-paroxetine binding sites.

Structural and functional evidence for two separate oligosaccharide binding sites of Pasteurella multocida hyaluronan synthase

Pasteurella multocida hyaluronan synthase (PmHAS) is a bi-functional glycosyltransferase, containing a β1,3-glucuronyltransferase and β1,4-N-acetylglucosaminetransferase domain. PmHAS catalyzes the elongation of hyaluronan (HA) through the sequential addition of single monosaccharides to the non-reducing end of the hyaluronan chain. Research is focused on the relation between the length of the HA oligosaccharide and the single-step elongation kinetics from HA4 up to HA9. It was found that the turnover number kcat increased with length to maximum values of 11 and 14 s-1 for NAc- and UA-transfer, respectively. Interestingly, the specificity constant kcat/KM increased with polymer length from HA5 to HA7 to a value of 44 mM-1s-1, indicating an oligosaccharide binding site with increasing specificity towards a heptasaccharide at the UA domain. The value of kcat/KM remained moderately constant around 8 mM-1s-1 for HA4, HA6, and HA8, indicating a binding site with significantly lower binding specificity at the NAc domain than at the UA domain. These findings are further corroborated by a structural homology model of PmHAS, revealing two distinct sites for binding of oligosaccharides of different sizes, one in each transferase domain. Structural alignment studies between PmHAS and glycosyltransferases of the GT-A fold showed significant similarity in the binding of the UDP-sugars and the orientation of the acceptor substrate. These similarities in substrate orientation in the active site and in essential amino acid residues involved in substrate binding were utilized to localize the two HA oligosaccharide binding sites.

Immobilization of antibodies on the self-assembled monolayer by antigen-binding site protection and immobilization kinetic control

The orientation of the biological molecule immobi-lized on a solid surface has been critical in devel-opment of various applications. In this study, ori-entation of antibody was retained by protecting the antigen-binding site of the antibody prior to immo-bilization to -functionalized mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 12-mercaptododecanoic acid and 1-heptanethiol. More importantly, the number of immobilization bonds formed between each an-tigen-binding site protected antibody molecule and the solid surface was controlled by optimizing the mole fraction of the activated carboxyl group of the linker molecules in the mixed SAM. The amount of antibody used in this study was approximately equivalent to the amount for one monolayer surface coverage. The resulting activity of protected immo-bilized antibody was about 10 fold higher than that of random immobilized

Evidence for a Non-<i>β</i>₂-Adrenoceptor Binding Site in Human Lung Tissue for a Subset of <i>β</i>₂-Adrenoceptor Agonists

The aim of this study was to compare the binding profile of a range of β2-adrenoceptor (β2-AR) agonists and antagonists in human lung tissue. Radioligand saturation and competition binding experiments were performed by filtration with a β2-AR antagonist ([3H]propranolol) or agonist ([3H]vilanterol) radioligand and membrane fragments generated from lung parenchyma in the presence of 100 μM guanosine 5’-[β,γ-imido]triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). In membranes prepared from human lung parenchyma, carmoterol, formoterol, ICI118551, propranolol and salbutamol resulted in inhibition of [3H]vilanterol binding to levels that were significantly different from indacaterol, salmeterol and vilanterol (ANOVA, Bonferroni post-test, P < 0.001 except formoterol vs indacaterol where P < 0.01). Indacaterol and salmeterol resulted in inhibition of [3H]vilanterol binding to levels that were not significantly different from vilanterol (ANOVA, Bonferroni post-test, P > 0.05). Indacaterol, salmeterol and vilanterol resulted in full inhibition of [3H]propranolol binding to levels not significantly different from ICI118551 (ANOVA, Bonferroni post-test, P > 0.05). Indacaterol, salmeterol and vilanterol bind to an additional site in human lung parenchyma membranes that is distinct from the β2-AR.

A Structural Comparison Approach for Identifying Small Variations in Binding Sites of Homologous Proteins

A method for analyzing the protein site similarity was devised aiming at understanding selectivity of homologous proteins and guiding the design of new drugs. The method is based on calculating Cα distances between selected pocket residues and subsequent analysis by multivariate methods. Five closely related serine proteases, the coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and XI, were studied and their pocket similarity was illustrated by PCA clustering. OPLS-DA was then applied to identify the residues responsible for the variation. By combining these two multivariate methods, we could successfully cluster the different proteases according to class and identify the important residues responsible for the observed variation.

A distribution pattern assisted method of transcription factor binding site discovery for both yeast and filamentous fungi

Transcription factors (TFs) are the core sentinels of gene regulation functioning by binding to highly specific DNA sequences to activate or repress the recruitment of RNA polymerase. The ability to identify transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) is necessary to understand gene regulation and infer regulatory networks. Despite the fact that bioinformatics tools have been developed for years to improve computational identification of TFBSs, the accurate prediction still remains changeling as DNA motifs recognized by TFs are typically short and often lack obvious patterns. In this study we introduced a new attribute-motif distribution pattern (MDP) to assist in TFBS prediction. MDP was developed using a TF distribution pattern curve generated by analyzing 25 yeast TFs and 37 of their experimentally validated binding motifs, followed by calculating a scoring value to quantify the reliability of each motif prediction. Finally, MDP was tested using another set of 7 TFs with known binding sites to in silico validate the approach. The method was further tested in a non-yeast system using the filamentous fungus Magnaporthe oryzae transcription factor MoCRZ1. We demonstrate superior prediction reranking results using MDP over the commonly used program MEME and the other four predictors. The data showed significant improvements in the ranking of validated TFBS and provides a more sensitive statistics based approach for motif discovery.

Bioinformatic screening of the binding transcription sites in the regulatory regions of genes up-regulated in response to oxidative stress

This study focuses on bioinformatics search for new regulatory structures in the non-coding DNA, located around the patterns of gene expression levels changed significantly in response to oxidative stress. Hypothesized that all of the genes increase the expression in response to oxidative stress may have the same motifs in non-coding DNA. To search for motifs created an integrated collection database of transcription binding sites - JASPAR, TRANSFAC, Hocomoco TF Homo sapiens, Uniprobe TF Mus musculus. Two types of regulatory regions: the promoter region and the sequence with the capture of potential cis-regulatory modules. In the regulatory regions of genes increase the expression in response to oxidative stress, in contrast to the gene expression level did not change, families of transcription factors identified SOX (1-30) and HX (A, B, C, D).

An Approximated Voxel Approach for the Identification and Modelling of Ligand-Binding Sites

Most protein-ligand interactions take place on surfaces and include but not limited to factors such as chemical composition, hydrophobicity, electronegavitiy and shape complementarity. Past studies showed that protein-protein interactions occur on comparatively fiat regions whereas protein-ligand bindings involve crevices. In the search for such sites various approaches have been designed and developed each of which is algorithmically unique. The use of grid units or voxels has been demonstrated in early studies with relatively good results obtained. We present here an approximated approach comprising of the use of voxels and computer vision methods in the search for ligand-binding areas. Each test protein is modelled and analysed in 2D with all corresponding residues graphically presented for successfully identified sites. The study was carried out on 2 sets of proteins： FK506-bound proteins and heme-bound proteins with promising results obtained for all test cases.

Increased monoamine oxidase activity and imidazoline binding sites in insulin-resistant adipocytes from obese Zucker rats

BACKGROUND Despite overt insulin resistance,adipocytes of genetically obese Zucker rats accumulate the excess of calorie intake in the form of lipids.AIM To investigate whether factors can replace or reinforce insulin lipogenic action by exploring glucose uptake activation by hydrogen peroxide,since it is produced by monoamine oxidase(MAO)and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase(SSAO)in adipocytes.METHODS 3H-2-deoxyglucose uptake(2-DG)was determined in adipocytes from obese and lean rats in response to insulin or MAO and SSAO substrates such as tyramine and benzylamine.14C-tyramine oxidation and binding of imidazolinic radioligands[3H-Idazoxan,3H-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline]were studied in adipocytes,the liver,and muscle.The influence of in vivo administration of tyramine+vanadium on glucose handling was assessed in lean and obese rats.RESULTS 2-DG uptake and lipogenesis stimulation by insulin were dampened in adipocytes from obese rats,when compared to their lean littermates.Tyramine and benzylamine activation of hexose uptake was vanadate-dependent and was also limited,while MAO was increased and SSAO decreased.These changes were adipocyte-specific and accompanied by a greater number of imidazoline I2 binding sites in the obese rat,when compared to the lean.In vitro,tyramine precluded the binding to I2 sites,while in vivo,its administration together with vanadium lowered fasting plasma levels of glucose and triacylglycerols in obese CONCLUSION The adipocytes from obese Zucker rats exhibit increased MAO activity and imidazoline binding site number.However,probably as a consequence of SSAO down-regulation,the glucose transport stimulation by tyramine is decreased as much as that of insulin in these insulin-resistant adipocytes.The adipocyte amine oxidases deserve more studies with respect to their putative contribution to the management of glucose and lipid handling.

Consequences of primer binding-sites polymorphisms on genotyping practice

Herein we investigated the effect of primer binding site polymorphisms in achieving correct genotyping when a mismatch occurs in distinct positions of the primer sequence. For that purpose primer sequences were designed in order to carry either allelic form at the 3’ end and at 3 bp, 5 bp and 7 bp apart from the 3’ end of an intronic polymorphism (rs2247836) observed in phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. For one of the alleles annealing failure was obtained when the mismatch occurs at all the four primer-site locations. Primer sequences carrying the alternative SNP allele resulted to be less specific as the distance to the primer-3’ end was increased. Altogether, these results revealthat effects in the extension of the annealing failure is allele and mismatch-position dependent.

Novel Cytocidal Substituted Phenyl 4-(2-Oxoimidazolidin-1-yl) Benzenesulfonates and Benzenesulfonamides with Affinity to the Colchicine-Binding Site: Is the Phenyl 2-Imidazolidinone Moiety a New Haptophore for the Design of New Antimitotics?

Phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin-1-yl)benzenesulfonates (PIB-SOs) and phenyl 4-(2-oxoimidazolidin- 1-yl)benzenesulfonamides (PIB-SAs) are new, potent combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogs designed on the basis of their common phenyl 2-imidazolidone moiety. This phenyl 2-imidazolidone group is a bioisosteric equivalent of the trimethoxyphenyl group also found in colchicine, podophyllotoxin and several other ligands of the colchicine-binding site (C-BS). In this study, we investigate the interactions involved in the binding of PIB-SO and PIB-SA into the C-BS. We describe three distinct pockets (I, II, and III) as key structural elements involved in the interactions between the C-BS and PIB-SOs as well as PIB-SAs. We show that PIB-SOs and PIB-SAs adopt 4 and 3 distinct binding conformations, respectively, within the C-BS. The binding conformations I and IV are common to most PIB-SOs and PIB-SAs exhibiting high affinity for the C-BS and high cytocidal potency. In addition, binding conformation I is the main conformation adopted by PIB-SOs, PIB-SAs, T138067, ABT-751, colchicine and CA-4. We also observe that the sulfonate and the sulfonamide moieties of PIB-SOs and PIB-SAs are bioisosteric equivalents. Interestingly, we further find that a large portion of the phenyl 2-imidazolidinone moiety in these analogs does not bind to pocket I unlike the trimethoxyphenyl moiety found in several antimicrotubule agents such as colchicine, CA-4 and podophyllotoxin, suggesting that the phenyl 2-imidazolidinone group may represent a new haptophoric moiety useful for the design of new C-BS inhibitors mimicking the tropolone and the methoxylated phenolic moieties of colchicine and CA-4, respectively.

Determination of the Population Structure of Fig Genotypes from Algeria and Turkey Using Inter Primer Binding Site-Retrotransposon and Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

In order to identify the variation and estimate the genetic diversity among the fig (Ficus carica L.) genotypes collected from Algeria and Turkey, the genetic relationships between 86 genotypes were investigated using 23 inter primer binding sites (iPBS)-retrotransposon and 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. A total of 63 polymorphic bands for the iPBS-retrotransposon markers and 25 alleles for the SSR markers were identified with an average of 2.7 and 1.6 per primer, respectively. The average value of polymorphism information content (PIC) for the iPBS markers (0.73) was higher than that for the SSR markers (0.69). Applying the neighbor-joining method to the combined iPBS-retrotransposon and SSR data, the fig genotypes were clustered into two groups. The STRUCTURE software was used to determine the population structure. Among the genotypes studied, two populations (K = 2) were identified indicating a low diversity between the Algerian and Turkish varieties. Both types of markers were able to differentiate all the fig genotypes and were efficient in discriminating the closely related genotypes. Our data also showed that as a universal marker, iPBS-retrotransposon is a useful tool for the molecular characterization of fig genotypes.

Advances on Plant Pathogenic Mycotoxin Binding Proteins

Toxin-binding protein is one of the key subjects in plant pathogenic mycotoxin research. In this paper, new advances in toxin-binding proteins of 10 kinds of plant pathogenic mycotoxins belonging to Hel-minthosporium,Alternaria,Fusicoccum,Verticillium were reviewed, especially the techniques and methods of toxin-binding proteins of HS-toxin, HV-toxin, HMT-toxin, HC-toxin. It was proposed that the isotope-labeling technique and immunological chemistry technique should be combined together in research of toxin-binding protein, which will be significant to study the molecular recognition mechanism between host and pathogenic fungus.

Extracellular and cytoplasmic regions of LRIG1 play a negative role in EGFR activity: Findings of a radioligand-binding assay

Objective Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1(LRIG1) is a newly identified human gene that inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), which on combining with a ligand, can drive tumor growth. This study investigated the interaction between human LRIG1 and EGFR and attempted to delineate the functions of as well as the mechanisms used by the extracellular(ECD) and cytoplasmic(CPD) domains of the human LRIG1 protein to downregulate human EGFR signaling activity.Methods Two constructed chimeric eukaryotic expression vectors, pIRES2-EGFP-3XFLAG-LRIG1-ET and p3FLAG-LRIG1-TC, encoding the extracellular and transmembrane regions(LRIG1-ET) and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions(LRIG1-TC), respectively, and the plasmid p3XFLAG-CMV-9-LRIG1 encoding full-length LRIG1(LRIG1-FL) were transfected into the human glioma cell line U251 or primary astrocytoma cells by using liposomes. The number and affinity of cell surface EGFR on transfected cells was determined by ^(125)I-EGF binding assay. Results The dissociation constant(KD) values for EGFR were higher, and the maximum increase was observed in the cells transfected into LRIG1-ET(1.36 folds). The number of maximal binding sites(Bmax) of the receptors was decreased in all transfected cells; the maximum decrease was noted in the cells transfected into LRIG1-FL(40.05%).Conclusion Both the ECD and CPD of LRIG1 are important to negate EGFR signaling. The ECD may interfere with the binding between EGFR and its ligand and facilitate the functions of CPD. The CPD may, when brought in proximity to EGFR, enhance receptor degradation. These two mechanisms can contribute to the downregulation of EGFR-mediated signaling by LRIG1.