Precipitation of sword bean proteins by heating and addition of magnesium chloride in a crude extract.

Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) seeds are a traditional food in Asian countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal methods for the precipitation of sword bean proteins useful for the food development. The soaking time for sword beans was determined by comparing it with that for soybeans.

Initiation of protein association in tofu formation by metal ions.

Magnesium and calcium ions are important factors in making tofu. However, the molecular role of these ions remains unclear in tofu formation. We have previously shown that magnesium chloride concentration-dependent produced silken tofu-like (SP) and regular tofu-like (RP) precipitates, but was an inconsequential factor for the retention of tofu.

Magnesium chloride concentration-dependent formation of tofu-like precipitates with different physicochemical properties.

A wet precipitate is generated in the process of making tofu by adding a coagulant to the basic soymilk ingredient. We investigated the magnesium chloride concentration-dependent change in the precipitate weight. The wet precipitate weight dramatically increased following a short plateau phase at a low concentration of magnesium chloride.

Network structure and forces involved in perilla globulin gelation: comparison with sesame globulin.

Scanning electron micrographs show that perilla globulin gel had a finer network structure than sesame α-globulin gel. The effects of various reagents on the gel formation and solubility of perilla and sesame gels were compared. The contribution of disulfide bonds to the formation and stability of perilla gel was greater than to sesame gel, despite having the same subunit structure.

Determination of the local structure of a cage with an oxygen ion in Ca12Al14O33.

The crystal structure of mayenite (12CaO·7Al(2)O(3)) has been investigated by single-crystal synchrotron diffraction with high resolution and accuracy, using a four-circle diffractometer equipped with an avalanche photodiode detector (APD) detector installed at PF14A in Tsukuba, Japan. Analysis revealed random displacements of ions by the electrostatic force of the O(2-) ion (O3) clathrated in two out of 12 cages. O3 ions are located at general positions close to the \bar 4 site at the centre of each cage.

Subunit structure and functional properties of the predominant globulin of perilla (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens) seeds.

Approximately 40% of defatted perilla seeds consists of proteins which are primarily composed of globulin (84%). The amino acid profile of perilla proteins demonstrated balanced amounts of all essential amino acids, except for lysine. The molecular mass of the predominant globulin was estimated to be 340 kDa by gel filtration.

A general expression of the polarization factor for multi-diffraction processes.

A general expression of the polarization factor of multi-diffracted beams is formulated. By assigning the diffracted beam direction of each diffraction process as the y axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, the polarization factor of multi-diffraction processes can be easily calculated for polarized and unpolarized beams without being limited by the number of diffraction processes. The method can be applied to processes with more than three scattering events such as multiple diffraction and extinction.

Tripraseodymium penta-iron(III) dodeca-oxide, Pr(3)Fe(5)O(12): a synchrotron radiation study.

The title compound, penta-iron tripraseodymium dodeca-oxide (PrIG), has an iron garnet structure. There are two Fe site symmetries. One of the Fe atoms is coordinated by six O atoms, forming a slightly distorted octa-hedron, and has site symmetry.

Trineodymium(III) penta-iron(III) dodeca-oxide, Nd(3)Fe(5)O(12).

The title compound, Nd(3)Fe(5)O(12) (NdIG), has an iron garnet structure. One of the Fe atoms is coordinated by six O atoms in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry and has site symmetry. The other Fe atom is coordinated by four O atoms in a slightly distorted tetra-hedral geometry and has site symmetry.

Enterostatin reduces serum cholesterol levels by way of a CCK(1) receptor-dependent mechanism.

Enterostatin (APGPR), an anorectic pentapeptide derived from the amino terminus of procolipase, significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels after oral administration at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 3 days in mice fed a high-cholesterol-cholic acid diet. The hypocholesterolemic effect of APGPR was inhibited by pretreatment with lorglumide, an antagonist for cholecystokinin 1 (CCK(1)) receptor, even though APGPR does not have any affinity for CCK(1) receptors. Similarly, the hypocholesterolemic activity of VPDPR, an APGPR analogue, was blocked by lorglumide.

Enterostatin (APGPR) suppresses the analgesic activity of morphine by a CCK-dependent mechanism.

Enterostatin (APGPR) found in the gastrointestinal tract and brain is an anorectic pentapeptide. We found that APGPR inhibited morphine-induced analgesia after intracerebroventricular administration in mice at a dose of 10nmol/mouse. The anti-analgesic effect of APGPR was inhibited by pretreatment with lorglumide and LY225910, antagonists for cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1) and cholecystokinin 2 (CCK2) receptors, respectively.

Introduction of DPR, an enterostatin fragment peptide, into soybean beta-conglycinin alpha' subunit by site-directed mutagenesis.

DPR, a fragment peptide of enterostatin (VPDPR) having hypocholesterolemic activity, was introduced into the three homologous sites, EPR, DYR, and DPI, in the soybean beta-conglycinin alpha' subunit by site-directed mutagenesis. The modified beta-conglycinin was expressed in Escherichia coli and recovered in the soluble fraction. After purification on ion-exchange HPLC, the modified beta-conglycinin was digested by trypsin to release integrated DPR.

Enterostatin (VPDPR) and its peptide fragment DPR reduce serum cholesterol levels after oral administration in mice.

We found that enterostatin (VPDPR), an anorexigenic peptide for a high-fat diet, significantly reduces serum cholesterol levels after oral administration of 100 mg/kg for 3 days in mice fed a high cholesterol-cholic acid diet. DPR, a peptide fragment of VPDPR, also had hypocholesterolemic activity at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Food intake was not suppressed under these dietary conditions.

Characterization of beta-lactotensin, a bioactive peptide derived from bovine beta-lactoglobulin, as a neurotensin agonist.

beta-Lactotensin (beta-LT: His-Ile-Arg-Leu) is an ileum-contracting peptide derived from residues No. 146-149 of bovine beta-lactoglobulin. The ileum-contracting activity of beta-LT was blocked by the NT1 antagonist SR48692.

Enantioselective Photocyclization of N-Alkylfuran-2-carboxyanilides to trans-Dihydrofuran Derivatives in Inclusion Crystals with Optically Active Host Compounds Derived from Tartaric Acid.

The steric course of the photocyclization reaction of the title achiral compounds (1) to optically active trans-dihydrofuran derivatives (2) was controlled by carrying out the reaction in inclusion crystals (4) with optically active hosts (3) derived from tartaric acid. The mechanism of the enantioselective reaction of 1 in 4 was studied by X-ray structural analysis of 4. In some cases, the steric course of the photoreaction was different depending on whether 4 was prepared by recrystallization or by mixing of 1 and 3.