Site-directed mutagenesis in the P-domain of calreticulin transacylase identifies Lys-207 as the active site residue.

Unlabelled: In silico-docking studies from previous work have suggested that Lys-206 and lys-207 of calreticulin (CR) play a pivotal key role in its well-established transacetylation activity. To experimentally validate this prediction, we introduced three mutations at lysine residues of P-domain of CR: K → A, (K -206, -209), (K -206, -207) and (K -207, -209) and analyzed their immunoreactivity and acetylation potential. The clones of wild-type P-domain ( ) and three mutated P-domain ( , and ) were expressed in pTrcHis C vector and the recombinant , , and proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography.

Methyl-accepting chemotaxis like Rv3499c (Mce4A) protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv mediates cholesterol-dependent survival.

Cholesterol, an essential cellular component in macrophages, is exploited for entry and long-term survival of Mycobacterium inside the host. Cholesterol-deficient macrophages can restrict the cholesterol-dependent entry of Mycobacterium. Rv3499c protein in Mycobacterium has high binding affinity for cholesterol.

Corrigendum to The Competence of 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-Methylcoumarin and Other Polyphenolic Acetates in Mitigating the Oxidative Stress and their Role in Angiogenesis.

In the Original Research Article entitled "The Competence of 7, 8-Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin and other Polyphenolic Acetates in Mitigating the Oxidative Stress and their Role in Angiogenesis" Published in Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 2015, Vol. 15, No. 2, on page no.

Emerging Roles of Calreticulin in Cancer: Implications for Therapy.

Calreticulin (CRT), initially identified as a ubiquitous calcium-binding protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, has emerged as a multifunctional protein with roles in calcium homeostasis, molecular chaperoning and cell adhesion. Emerging evidence suggests its involvement in tumorigenesis facilitating proliferation, migration, and adhesion. CRT translocated to the cell surface (ecto-CRT) serves as a phagocytic signal for immunogenic cell death (ICD) mediated through dendritic cells (DCs) and cytotoxic T-cell activation thereby making tumors susceptible to immunotherapy-based anti-cancer strategies.

Mitigation of radiation-induced hematopoietic injury by the polyphenolic acetate 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin in mice.

Protection of the hematopoietic system from radiation damage, and/or mitigation of hematopoietic injury are the two major strategies for developing medical countermeasure agents (MCM) to combat radiation-induced lethality. In the present study, we investigated the potential of 7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylthiocoumarin (DAMTC) to ameliorate radiation-induced hematopoietic damage and the associated mortality following total body irradiation (TBI) in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of DAMTC 24 hours post TBI alleviated TBI-induced myelo-suppression and pancytopenia, by augmenting lymphocytes and WBCs in the peripheral blood of mice, while bone marrow (BM) cellularity was restored through enhanced proliferation of the stem cells.

The Competence of 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-Methylcoumarin and Other Polyphenolic Acetates in Mitigating the Oxidative Stress and their Role in Angiogenesis.

The potential role of polyphenolic acetate (PA) in causing diverse biological and pharmacological actions has been well studied in our laboratory. Our investigations, for the first time, established the role of calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase) in catalyzing the acetylation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by Pas leading to robust activation of NOS. 7, 8- Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC) and other acetoxycoumarins augmented the expression of thioredoxin (TRX) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

The Competence Of 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-Methylcoumarinand Other Polyphenolic Acetates In Mitigating The Oxidative Stress And Their Role In Angiogenesis.

The potential role of polyphenolic acetate (PA) in causing diverse biological and pharmacological actions has been well studied in our laboratory. Our investigations, for the first time, established the role of calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase) in catalyzing the acetylation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by Pas leading to robust activation of NOS. 7, 8-Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC) and other acetoxycoumarins augmented the expression of thioredoxin (TRX) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Modifications of cell signalling and redox balance by targeting protein acetylation using natural and engineered molecules: implications in cancer therapy.

Acetylation of proteins with the addition of an acetyl group on the lysine residue is one of the vital posttranslational modifications that regulate protein stability, function and intracellular compartmentalization. Like other posttranslational modifications, protein acetylation influences many if not all vital functions of the cell. Protein acetylation has been originally associated with histone acetylation regulated by Histone Acetyl Transferase (HAT) and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) and was mainly considered to be involved in epigenetic regulation through chromatin remodelling.

Comparison of protein acetyltransferase action of CRTAase with the prototypes of HAT.

Our laboratory is credited for the discovery of enzymatic acetylation of protein, a phenomenon unknown till we identified an enzyme termed acetoxy drug: protein transacetylase (TAase), catalyzing the transfer of acetyl group from polyphenolic acetates to receptor proteins (RP). Later, TAase was identified as calreticulin (CR), an endoplasmic reticulum luminal protein. CR was termed calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase).

Cytotoxic and radio-sensitizing effects of polyphenolic acetates in a human glioma cell line (BMG-1).

Background And Aims: Polyphenolic acetates (PAs) have antioxidant/ pro-oxidant properties and can also acetylate proteins (enzymes) by a novel acetoxy drug: calreticulin transacetylase acetylation system. While PAs have been investigated as pharmacological agents for the treatment of various diseases, their potential as anti-cancer agents or their efficacy as an adjuvant in anti-cancer therapeutics remains to be explored. In the present study we investigated the cytotoxic and radio-sensitizing effects of 7, 8- diacetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (DAMC) and 7- acetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (7-AMC) in a human glioma cell line (BMG-1).

Calreticulin transacetylase mediated upregulation of thioredoxin by 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin enhances the antioxidant potential and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Extensive research carried out in our group on polyphenolic acetates (PAs) substantiated the potential role of PAs in causing diverse biological and pharmacological actions. Our earlier investigations firmly established the calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase) catalyzed activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by PAs. In this report, we have studied the effect of 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC, a model PA) and other acetoxy coumarins on the thioredoxin and VEGF expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), with a view to substantiate our earlier observation that DAMC was a superb inducer of angiogenesis.

Comparative specificities of Calreticulin Transacetylase to O-acetyl, N-acetyl and S-acetyl derivative of 4-methylcoumarins and their inhibitory effect on AFB1-induced genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

We have earlier conclusively established the Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase) catalyzed modifications of functional proteins such as cytochrome-P450-linked mixed function oxidases (Cyt-P450-linked MFOs), NADPH cytochrome c reductase, and glutathione S-transferase by acetoxy derivatives of polyphenols. In this study, we have investigated the comparative specificities of CRTAase to N-acetyl derivative, 7-acetamido-4-methylcoumarin (7-N-AMC), O-acetyl derivative, 7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (7-AMC), S-acetyl derivative, 7-thioacetyl-4-methycoumarin (7-S-AMC) and their parent compounds in the modulation of catalytic activities of aforesaid proteins. Special attention concentrated on the comparative inhibitory effect of aforesaid acetyl moiety on Cyt-P450-linked MFOs such as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-induced genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Enhanced heterodimerization of Bax by Bcl-2 mutants improves irradiated cell survival.

B Cell Lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein suppresses ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in hemato-lymphoid system. To enhance the survival of irradiated cells, we have compared the effects and mechanism of Bcl-2 and its functional variants, D34A (caspase-3 resistant) and S70E (mimics phosphorylation on S70). Bcl-2 and its mutants were transfected into hematopoietic cell line and assessed for cell survival, clonogenicity and cell cycle perturbations upon exposure to ionizing radiation.

Substrate specificity of acetoxy derivatives of coumarins and quinolones towards Calreticulin mediated transacetylation: investigations on antiplatelet function.

Calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase) is known to catalyze the transfer of acetyl group from polyphenolic acetates (PA) to certain receptor proteins (RP), thus modulating their activity. Herein, we studied for the first time the substrate specificity of CRTAase towards N-acetylamino derivatives of coumarins and quinolones. This study is endowed with antiplatelet action by virtue of causing CRTAase catalyzed activation of platelet Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) by way of acetylation leading to the inhibition of ADP/Arachidonic acid (AA)-dependent platelet aggregation.

Calreticulin transacetylase: a novel enzyme-mediated protein acetylation by acetoxy derivatives of 3-alkyl-4-methylcoumarins.

Our earlier investigations culminated in the discovery of a unique membrane-bound enzyme Calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase) in mammalian cells catalyzing the transfer of acetyl group from polyphenolic acetates (PAs) to certain functional proteins viz. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), NADPH Cytochrome c reductase and Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) resulting in the modulation of their biological activities. In order to develop SAR study, herein, we studied the influence of alkyl group at C-3 position of acetoxy coumarins on the CRTAase activity.

Calreticulin Transacetylase mediated activation of human platelet nitric oxide synthase by acetyl group donor compounds.

Polyphenols have attracted immense interest because of their diverse biological and pharmacological activities. Surprisingly, not much is documented about the biological activities of acetoxy derivatives of polyphenol called polyphenolic acetates (PA). In our previous reports, we have conclusively established the Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase) catalyzed activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by PA.

Characterization of 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin as an effective antitubercular agent: structure-activity relationships.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antitubercular activity of amino and acyl amino derivatives of coumarins when used alone and in combination with isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin or ethambutol, and to decipher the mode of action of the most effective agent.

Methods: A series of amino and acyl amino coumarins were synthesized and screened for activity against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain. These compounds were further evaluated by standard assay procedures to determine their MBCs, fractional inhibitory concentration index values and cytotoxicities.

Characterization of a unique dihydropyrimidinone, ethyl 4-(4'-heptanoyloxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-5-carboxylate, as an effective antithrombotic agent in a rat experimental model.

Objectives: To evaluate the potential of a novel dihydropyrimidinone, ethyl 4-(4'-heptanoyloxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-5-carboxylate (H-DHPM), as a calcium channel blocker, endowed with the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation effectively.

Methods: In-vitro and in-vivo studies were conducted for the determination of antiplatelet activity using adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen or thrombin as inducers. Calcium channel blocking activity and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were monitored.

Normalization of deranged signal transduction in lymphocytes of COPD patients by the novel calcium channel blocker H-DHPM.

Investigations on the role of intracellular Ca(2+) ion concentration in the mechanism of development of COPD in smokers and non-smokers were carried out. The intracellular Ca(2+) levels were found to be increased in human lymphocytes in patients with COPD as compared to non-smokers and smokers without COPD. The investigations reveal an association in altered intracellular Ca(2+) regulation in lymphocytes and severity of COPD, by means of significant activation of Protein kinase C and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

Characterization of protein acyltransferase function of recombinant purified GlnA1 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a moon lighting property.

The protein acetyltransferase (MTAase) function of glutamine synthetase of Mycobacterium smegmatis was established earlier. In this paper, studies were undertaken to examine MTAase function of recombinant glutamine synthetase (rGlnA1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which showed >80% similarity with M. smegmatis GlnA.

Prevention of benzene-induced genotoxicity in bone marrow and lung cells: superiority of polyphenolic acetates to polyphenols.

Previous investigations carried out in our laboratory have highlighted that 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin demonstrates a mechanism-based inhibition of cytochrome P450 (Cyt-P450) activities such as microsome-mediated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) epoxidation, dealkylation of alkylated resorufin, and toxicokinetics of benzene. 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin, quercetin pentaacetate, and ellagic acid peracetate were also found to be effective in giving the protection of AFB1-induced genotoxicity in rat's bone marrow and lung cells possibly due to acetylation of Cyt-P450 apoprotein mediated by acetoxy drug: protein transacetylase. Later, this transacetylase was identified as calreticulin, and the acetyltransferase function of calreticulin was appropriately termed calreticulin transacetylase.

Protein acyltransferase function of purified calreticulin: the exclusive role of P-domain in mediating protein acylation utilizing acyloxycoumarins and acetyl CoA as the acyl group donors.

The distinct biochemical function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein Calreticulin (CR) catalyzing the transfer of acyl group from acyloxycoumarin to a receptor protein was termed calreticulin transacylase (CRTAase). The present study, unlike the previous reports of others utilizing CR-deficient cells alone, dealt with the recombinant CR domains of Heamonchus contortus (rhCRTAase) in order to examine their CRTAase activity. P-domain of rhCR unlike N- and C-domains was found to be endowed with CRTAase function.

7, 8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin induced cell death in human tumor cells is influenced by calreticulin.

Calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein demonstrates transacetylase activity in presence of 7, 8 diacetoxy-4-methyl coumarin (DAMC) in vitro. To investigate the possible role of CRT and DAMC mediated protein acetylation in cells, we investigated the effects of DAMC in tumor cells with different levels of CRT. DAMC was more toxic (clonogenicity, metabolic viability and proliferation) to human glioma cells (BMG-1) expressing low endogenous CRT level as compared to head and neck carcinoma cells (KB) with a high CRT level.