Construction of minimum size cellulase (Cel5Z) from Pectobacterium chrysanthemi PY35 by removal of the C-terminal region.

Pectobacterium chrysanthemi PY35 secretes the endoglucanase Cel5Z, an enzyme of the glycoside hydrolase family 5. Cel5Z is a 426 amino acid, signal peptide (SP)-containing protein composed of two domains: a large N-terminal catalytic domain (CD; 291 amino acids) and a small C-terminal cellulose binding domain (CBD; 62 amino acids). These two domains are separated by a 30 amino acid linker region (LR).

A case of Enterococcus faecalis endophthalmitis with corneal ulcer.

Although there have been a few reported cases of Enterococcal endophthalmitis, this is an unusual case of endophthalmitis complicated with corneal ulcer caused by Enterococcus faecalis. A 67-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus underwent secondary intraocular lens implantation. Post-operative recovery was uneventful until a wound rupture was noted 3 weeks after the operation.

Congenital absence of inferior vena cava as a rare cause of pulmonary thromboembolism.

Interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygos continuation is an uncommon vascular anomaly that results from aberrant development during embryogenesis. We report a rare case of this anomaly, presenting with massive pulmonary embolism. Subsequent evaluation with abdominal CT scan revealed the congenital absence of retrohepatic IVC.

Characterization of mammalian sulfiredoxin and its reactivation of hyperoxidized peroxiredoxin through reduction of cysteine sulfinic acid in the active site to cysteine.

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a family of peroxidases that reduce hydroperoxides. The cysteine residue in the active site of certain eukaryotic Prx enzymes undergoes reversible oxidation to sulfinic acid (Cys-SO2H) during catalysis, and sulfiredoxin (Srx) has been identified as responsible for reversal of the resulting enzyme inactivation in yeast. We have now characterized mammalian orthologs of yeast Srx with an assay based on monitoring of the reduction of sulfinic Prx by immunoblot analysis with antibodies specific for the sulfinic state.

An improved protocol of biotinylated tyramine-based immunohistochemistry minimizing nonspecific background staining.

An immunohistochemical method using biotinyl tyramine was recently introduced to amplify weak staining signals. Despite its high sensitivity, however, tyramine-based immunostaining has been limited by its increased background staining. In this study, to develop an improved protocol of biotinyl tyramine-based immunohistochemistry minimizing the background staining, we determined which staining steps lead to the nonspecific reaction and the most appropriate blocking agents for background-provoking steps.

Functional analysis of the Escherichia coli zinc transporter ZitB.

The membrane transporter ZitB responsible for Zn(II) efflux in Escherichia coli was studied by site-directed mutagenesis to elucidate the function of individual amino acid residues. Substitutions of several charged or polar residues, H53, H159, D163 and D186, located in predicted transmembrane domains resulted in loss of ZitB function. In contrast, neither the amino-terminal nor the carboxy-terminal regions, both histidine-rich, were required for function.

The Pco proteins are involved in periplasmic copper handling in Escherichia coli.

The interactions between the plasmid-borne copper resistance determinant, pco, and the main copper export system in Escherichia coli have been investigated and no direct interaction has been found. The PcoE and PcoC proteins are periplasmic and PcoC binds one Cu ion per protein molecule. PcoA is also periplasmic and can substitute for the chromosomally encoded CueO protein.

Protective effect of low dose of ascorbic acid on hepatobiliary function in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) an alterations in hepatic secretory and microsomal functions during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion.

Methods: Rats were subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia, and 1 and 5 h of reperfusion. Five minutes prior to ischemia, the animals were administered either vehicle or ascorbic acid (AA) (30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg) intravenously.

Modulation of macrophage function activity by ethanolic extract of larvae of Holotrichia diomphalia.

Macrophages play a central role in determining the host response to tumor, in part through the secretion of several potent products. In this study, our work is directed toward studying the in vitro effects of extract from the larvae of Holotrichia diomphalia (HD-EX) on the ability to induce cellular and secretory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Macrophages were treated with various doses (0.