Properties of Polysaccharides in Several Seaweeds from Atlantic Canada and Their Potential Anti-Influenza Viral Activities

To explore the polysaccharides from selected seaweeds of Atlantic Canada and to evaluate their potential anti-influenza virus activities, polysaccharides were isolated from several Atlantic Canadian seaweeds, including three red algae (Polysiphonia lanosa, Furcellaria lumbricalis, and Palmaria palmata), two brown algae (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus), and one green alga (Ulva lactuca) by sequential extraction with cold water, hot water, and alkali solutions. These polysaccharides were ana-lyzed for monosaccharide composition and other general chemical properties, and they were evaluated for anti-influenza virus activities. Total sugar contents in these polysaccharides ranged from 15.4% (in U. lactuca) to 91.4% (in F. lumbricalis); sulfation level was as high as 17.6% in a polysaccharide from U. lactuca, whereas it could not be detected in an alikali-extract from P. palmaria. For polysaccharides from red seaweeds, the main sugar units were sulfated galactans (agar or carrageenan) for P. lanosa, F. lumbricalis, and xylans for P. palmata. In brown seaweeds, the polysaccharides largely contained sulfated fucans, whereas the polysaccharides in green seaweed were mainly composed of heteroglycuronans. Screening for antiviral activity against influenza A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus revealed that brown algal polysaccharides were particularly effective. Seaweeds from Atlantic Canada are a good source of marine polysaccharides with potential antiviral properties.

Extraction,Isolation and Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from a Red Alga Gloiopeltis furcata

Three kinds of polysaccharides： GFW, GFH and GFA, were sequentially extracted from a red alga Gloiopeltisfurcata with 25℃ and 85℃ water, and 60℃ 4% NaOH water solution. Based on the defatted alga, the yields of the polysaccharide were 57.9%, 2.5% and 2.6%, respectively. Their monosaccharide compositions, average molecular weights and structural characters were determined by gas chromatography （GC）, high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） or ^13C-NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that GFW, GFH and GFA were all composed of D-galactose （Gal） and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose （AnG）, and particularly GFA also contained xylose （Xyl）. The average molecular weights of GFW, GFH and GFA were 22.6 kD, 26.5 kD and 49.8 kD, respectively, with the respective sulfate content 31.2%, 25.1% and 22.7%. The data of FTIR and ^13C-NMR confirmed the sulfate ester location at C6 ofgalactose. It is concluded that all the three polysaecharides extracted from Gloiopeltisfurcata were sulfated galactans, two being sulfated-agarose, and one being xylose-containing sulfated galactan.

The hydrophobic cluster on the surface of protein is the key structural basis for the SDS-resistance of chondroitinase VhChlABC

The application of chondroitinase requires consideration of the complex microenvironment of the target.Our previous research reported a marine-derived sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)-resistant chondroitinase VhChlABC.This study further investigated the mechanism of VhChlABC resistance to SDS.Focusing on the hydrophobic cluster on its strong hydrophilic surface,it was found that the reduction of hydrophobicity of surface residues Ala181,Met182,Met183,Ala184,Val185,and Ile305 significantly reduced the SDS resistance and stability.Molecular dynamics(MD)simulation and molecular docking analysis showed that I305G had more conformational flexibility around residue 305 than wild type(WT),which was more conducive to SDS insertion and binding.The affinity of A181G,M182A,M183A,V185A and I305G to SDS was significantly higher than that of WT.In conclusion,the surface hydrophobic microenvironment composed of six residues was the structural basis for SDS resistance.This feature could prevent the binding of SDS and the destruction of hydrophobic packaging by increasing the rigid conformation of protein and reducing the binding force of SDS-protein.The study provides a new idea for the rational design of SDS-resistant proteins and may further promote chondroitinase research in the targeted therapy of lung diseases under the pressure of pulmonary surfactant.

Oligomannuronate-Chromium (Ⅲ) Complex Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in C57BL/KsJ-db/db Mice

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease and its prevalence is increasing in many countries year by year.More than 90% of diabetes patients are type 2 diabetes,which is caused by insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.In this paper,the oligomannuronate-chromium(III)complex(OM2)was prepared and its effect and mechanism on attenuating insulin resistance in diabetic C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were studied.The results indicated that oral intake of OM2(50 mg kg-1d-1)for 42 d decreased blood glucose and lipid concentration,which was associated with the reduced serum insulin concentration and insulin resistance.According to western blot assay,OM2 could activate AMPK pathway to regulate glycogen synthesis,gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism in the liver,and attenuate the hyperglycemic symptom in db/db mice.The effects of OM2 on attenuating insulin resistance were com-parable to that of the established antidiabetic drug metformin,and OM2 showed less adverse effect than metformin in vivo.Based on the effectiveness and low toxicity,OM2 may potentially be used for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.