Isolation, cloning and characterization of a tyrosinase with improved activity in organic solvents from Bacillus megaterium.

A tyrosinase-expressing bacterium was isolated from soil, and extracellular enzymatic activity was induced by the presence of tyrosine and CuSO(4). Amplification of the 16S rDNA genes revealed a high similarity with Bacillus megaterium. The enzyme was over-expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and purified using an affinity column.

The influence of clozapine treatment and other antipsychotics on the 18 kDa translocator protein, formerly named the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, and steroid production.

It has been shown that the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine increases the levels of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the rat brain. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), formerly known as the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, has been demonstrated to be involved in the process of steroid biosynthesis, in peripheral steroidogenic tissues as well as in glia cells in the brain. In the current study, we investigated the influence of chronic treatment with clozapine and other antipsychotics (thioridazine,sulpiride and risperidone) on TSPO binding in cell cultures and rat tissues.