Expression and purification of the recombinant His-tagged GST-CD38 fusion protein using the baculovirus/insect cell expression system.

CD38 is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein found in myriad mammalian tissues and cell types. It is known for its involvement in the metabolism of cyclic ADP-ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, two nucleotides with calcium mobilizing activity independent of inositol trisphosphate. CD38 itself has been shown to have clinical significance in certain diseases with possible utilization in diagnostic and prognostic applications.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of RNase L-catalyzed oligonucleotide cleavage.

A method is described for monitoring the cleavage of an oligoribonucleotide substrate by the 2-5A-dependent RNase L based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The oligoribonucleotide, rC11U2C7, was labeled covalently at its 5'-terminus with fluorescein and at its 3'-terminus with rhodamine to provide a substrate for RNase L. On cleavage, the fluorescence at 538 nm (with 485 nm excitation) increased by a factor of 2.

Proteolytic processing of HIV-1 protease precursor, kinetics and mechanism.

Previously it was demonstrated using a model precursor that processing at the N terminus of the HIV-1 protease (PR) precedes processing at its C terminus. We now show the expression, purification, and kinetics of the autoprocessing reaction of a PR precursor linked to 53 amino acids of the native flanking transframe region (DeltaTFP-p6(pol)) of Gag-Pol and containing its two native cleavage sites. The PR contains the two cysteine residues exchanged to alanines, mutations that do not alter the kinetics or the structural stability of the mature PR.

Ribonuclease L, a 2-5A-dependent enzyme: purification to homogeneity and assays for 2-5A binding and catalytic activity.

RNase L is a latent endonuclease found in reptiles, birds, and mammals. It is activated by the 2',5'-phosphodiester-linked oligoadenylates called 2-5A and has been implicated in the mechanism of action of interferon, as well as in a variety of other biological phenomena such as apoptosis. Covalent linkage of 2-5A to antisense oligonucleotides permits recruitment of RNase L for enhancement of antisense action.

Crystallographic analysis of human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease with an analog of the conserved CA-p2 substrate -- interactions with frequently occurring glutamic acid residue at P2' position of substrates.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease hydrolysis of the Gag CA-p2 cleavage site is crucial for virion maturation and is optimal at acidic pH. To understand the processing of the CA-p2 site, we have determined the structure of HIV-1 protease complexed with an analog of the CA-p2 site, the reduced peptide inhibitor Arg-Val-Leu-r-Phe-Glu-Ala-Ahx-NH2 [r denotes the reduced peptide bond and Ahx 2-aminohexanoic acid (norleucine), respectively]. The crystal structure was refined to an R-factor of 0.

Influence of flanking sequences on the dimer stability of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease.

The maturation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (PR) from the Gag-Pol polyprotein is dependent on the intrinsic proteolytic activity of the dimeric Gag-Pol. Herein, we report the kinetics and conformational stabilities of two unique fusion proteins of the protease. In one, X28-PR, a random sequences of 28 amino acids (X28) was linked to the N terminus of the mature protease.

A transient precursor of the HIV-1 protease. Isolation, characterization, and kinetics of maturation.

Recently, the mechanism of autoprocessing of the protease (PR) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from the model polyprotein, MBP-DeltaTF-PR-DeltaPol, which contains the protease linked to short native flanking sequences (DeltaTF and DeltaPol) fused to the maltose binding protein (MBP) of Escherichia coli, was reported (Louis, J. M., Nashed, N.

Removal of zinc is required for processing of the mature nucleocapsid protein of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, by the viral protease.

In human immunodeficiency virus, RNA selection and packaging during assembly involve the two retroviral-type fingers of the nucleocapsid protein that are held in a constrained configuration by coordinated zinc ions. In this report, we demonstrate that the nucleocapsid protein in a metal bound state is resistant to cleavage by the viral protease, but upon removal of zinc ions by chelating agents, it is hydrolyzed within the first zinc finger between Phe-16 and Asn-17. However, 3-nitrosobenzamide and cupric ions, which release zinc through oxidation of the cysteine residues of the finger, render the nucleocapsid protein resistant to cleavage.

[History of surgery in the Czech Republic].

There are not only great personalities and a great credit they take for surgery in our country, but also the life, organisations and work of barber surgeons in the time before Joseph II. We demonstrate their "art" from the treatment of wounds, fractures, luxations, hernias atc. to venesections and amputations.

The gag precursor contains a specific HIV-1 protease cleavage site between the NC (P7) and P1 proteins.

The predicted protease cleavage site (p7/p1; [J. Virol. 66 (1992) 1856-1865]) within the nucleocapsid precursor protein (p15) of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1, was confirmed using an in vitro assay employing recombinant HIV-1 protease and a chemically synthesized 72 amino acid polypeptide containing the p7 and p1 protein domains of the native gag polyprotein.

Autoprocessing of the HIV-1 protease using purified wild-type and mutated fusion proteins expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli.

Various constructs of the human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) protease containing flanking Pol region sequences were expressed as fusion proteins with the maltose-binding protein of the malE gene of Escherichia coli. The full-length fusion proteins did not exhibit self-processing in E. coli, thereby allowing rapid purification by affinity chromatography on cross-linked amylose columns.

Comparison of the HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteinases using oligopeptide substrates representing cleavage sites in Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins.

The substrate specificity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) proteinases was compared using oligopeptides corresponding to cleavage sites in the Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins of both viruses. All peptides mimicking cleavage sites at the junction of major functional protein domains were correctly cleaved by both enzymes. However, some other peptides thought to represent secondary cleavage sites remained intact.

Purification of HIV-1 wild-type protease and characterization of proteolytically inactive HIV-1 protease mutants by pepstatin A affinity chromatography.

Recombinant wild-type protease of human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) expressed in E. coli was purified by pepstatin A affinity chromatography. An 88-fold purification was achieved giving a protease preparation with a specific enzymatic activity of approximately 3700 pmol/min/micrograms.

The effect of salt on the Michaelis Menten constant of the HIV-1 protease correlates with the Hofmeister series.

The effect of different types of salt on the proteolytic activity of HIV-1 protease was studied. At a similar ionic strength, the enzyme activity changed according to the salting out effect of the ions used (Hofmeister series). Kinetic studies showed that a stronger salting out effect of the ions rather than the higher ionic strength per se increased the affinity to the substrate (Km) but in general did not alter the Kcat value.

Studies on the role of the S4 substrate binding site of HIV proteinases.

Kinetic analysis of the hydrolysis of the peptide H-Val-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr*Pro-Ile-Val-Gln-NH2 and its analogs obtained by varying the length and introducing substitutions at the P4 site was carried out with both HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteinases. Deletion of the terminal Val and Gln had only moderate effect on the substrate hydrolysis, while the deletion of the P4. Ser as well as P'3 Val greatly reduced the substrate hydrolysis.

A solid phase assay for the protease of human immunodeficiency virus.

A solid phase assay for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease using an immobilized substrate, Affi Gel 10-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Ser-Gln-Asn-Tyr-Pro-Ile-Val-Gln-[3H]Gly-OH has been devised. The Tyr-Pro bond of the substrate was hydrolyzed by the protease, releasing the radiolabeled cleavage product, Pro-Ile-Val-Gln-[3H]Gly-OH, into the supernatant. The pH optimum was found to be 6.