Isolation, characterization, and nuclease activity of biologically relevant chromium(V) complexes with monosaccharides and model diols. Likely intermediates in chromium-induced cancers.

The stabilization of Cr(V) by biological 1,2-diolato ligands, including carbohydrates, glycoproteins, and sialic acid derivatives, is likely to play a crucial role in the genotoxicity of Cr(VI) and has also been implicated in the antidiabetic effect of Cr(III). Previously, such complexes have been observed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in living cells or animals, treated with carcinogenic Cr(VI), as well as in numerous model systems, but attempts to isolate them have been elusive. Recently, the first crystal structure of a Cr(V) complex with cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol (1, a close structural analogue of carbohydrates) has been reported.

Identification of novel diagnostic biomarkers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Rationale: Proteomics may identify a useful panel of biomarkers for identification of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objectives: To conduct an unsupervised analysis of peripheral blood proteins in well-characterized subjects with asthma and COPD, and identify and validate a biomarker panel for disease discrimination.

Methods: Two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis was used to separate plasma proteins from healthy control subjects, stable patients with asthma, and individuals with COPD.

Isolation, identification and characterisation of starch-interacting proteins by 2-D affinity electrophoresis.

A 2-D affinity electrophoretic technique (2-DAE) has been used to isolate proteins that interact with various starch components from total barley endosperm extracts. In the first dimension, proteins are separated by native PAGE. The second-dimensional gel contains polysaccharides such as amylopectin and glycogen.

Sialoglycoprotein and carbohydrate complexes in chromium toxicity.

Chromium(VI) compounds are amongst the most widely encountered industrial carcinogens and are of increasing concern with respect to environmental exposure. Sialoglycoproteins and carbohydrates play a crucial role in stabilizing oxoCr(V) intermediates, which are produced by extracellular and intracellular reduction of chromium(VI). Recent research has addressed the molecular characterization of oxoCr(V)-sialoglycoprotein and -carbohydrate complexes and the roles that these species may play in Cr(VI) metabolism and carcinogenesis.