Anti-σ factor YlaD regulates transcriptional activity of σ factor YlaC and sporulation via manganese-dependent redox-sensing molecular switch in .

YlaD, a membrane-anchored anti-sigma (σ) factor of , contains a HXCXXC motif that functions as a redox-sensing domain and belongs to one of the zinc (Zn)-co-ordinated anti-σ factor families. Despite previously showing that the YlaC transcription is controlled by YlaD, experimental evidence of how the YlaC-YlaD interaction is affected by active cysteines and/or metal ions is lacking. Here, we showed that the P promoter is autoregulated solely by YlaC.

Soluble overexpression and purification of bioactive human CCL2 in E. coli by maltose-binding protein.

Human chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (hCCL2) is a small cytokine in the CC chemokine family that attracts monocytes, memory T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells to the site of tissue injury- or infection-induced inflammation. hCCL2 has been implicated in the pathogeneses of diseases characterized by monocytic infiltrates, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and insulin-resistant diabetes. The prokaryotic overexpression of hCCL2 has been investigated previously in an attempt to develop biomedical applications for this factor, but this has been hampered by protein misfolding and aggregation into inclusion bodies.

Prokaryotic soluble overexpression and purification of bioactive human growth hormone by fusion to thioredoxin, maltose binding protein, and protein disulfide isomerase.

Human growth hormone (hGH) is synthesized by somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland and induces cell proliferation and growth. This protein has been approved for the treatment of various conditions, including hGH deficiency, chronic renal failure, and Turner syndrome. Efficient production of hGH in Escherichia coli (E.

Soluble prokaryotic overexpression and purification of bioactive human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor by maltose binding protein and protein disulfide isomerase.

Human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hGCSF), a neutrophil-promoting cytokine, is an effective therapeutic agent for neutropenia patients who have undergone several cancer treatments. Efficient production of hGCSF using E. coli is challenging because the hormone tends to aggregate and forms inclusion bodies.

Soluble expression and partial purification of recombinant human erythropoietin from E. coli.

Human erythropoietin (hEpo) is an essential regulator of erythrocyte production that induces the division and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow into mature erythrocytes. It is widely used for the treatment of anemia resulting from chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, and cancer-related therapies. Active hEpo, and hEpo analogs, have been purified primarily from mammalian cells, which has several disadvantages, including low yields and high production costs.

Soluble expression of human leukemia inhibitory factor with protein disulfide isomerase in Escherichia coli and its simple purification.

Human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that is essential for maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. hLIF may be also be useful in aiding fertility through its effects on increasing the implantation rate of fertilized eggs. Thus these applications in biomedical research and clinical medicine create a high demand for bioactive hLIF.

Expression and purification of biologically active human FGF2 containing the b'a' domains of human PDI in Escherichia coli.

Among the members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family that affect the growth, differentiation, migration, and survival of many cell types, FGF2 is the most abundant in the central nervous system. Because of its wound healing effects, FGF2 has potential as a therapeutic agent. The protein is also added to the culture media to maintain stem cells.

Cu/Zn incorporation during purification of soluble human EC-SOD from E. coli stabilizes proper disulfide bond formation.

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is the only enzyme that removes superoxide radical in the extracellular space. The reduction of EC-SOD is linked to many diseases, suggesting that the protein may have therapeutic value. EC-SOD is reported to be insoluble and to make inclusion bodies when overexpressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli.

Structural basis of cooperativity in human UDP-glucose dehydrogenase.

Background: UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UGDH) is the sole enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid. The product is used in xenobiotic glucuronidation in hepatocytes and in the production of proteoglycans that are involved in promoting normal cellular growth and migration. Overproduction of proteoglycans has been implicated in the progression of certain epithelial cancers, while inhibition of UGDH diminished tumor angiogenesis in vivo.

YlaC is an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor contributing to hydrogen peroxide resistance in Bacillus subtilis.

In this study, we have attempted to characterize the functions of YlaC and YlaD encoded by ylaC and ylaD genes in Bacillus subtilis. The GUS reporter gene, driven by the yla operon promoter, was expressed primarily during the late exponential and early stationary phase, and its expression increased as the result of hydrogen peroxide treatment. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that the level of ylaC transcripts and YlaC increased as the result of challenge with hydrogen peroxide.

Cytochrome c550 is related to initiation of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis.

The effect of cytochrome c550 encoded by cccA in Bacillus subtilis during the event of sporulation was investigated. The sporulation of cccA-overexpressing mutant was significantly accelerated, while disruptant strain showed delayed sporulation in spite of the same growth rate. Activity of sporulation stage-0-specific enzyme, extracellular alpha-amylase of mutant strains was similar to that of the control strain, but cccA-overexpressing mutant exhibited higher activity of stage-II-specific alkaline phosphatase and stage-III-specific glucose dehydrogenase when compared to deletion mutant and control strain.