Extraction and characterization of volatile compounds in Maytenus ilicifolia, using high-pressure CO2

This work is focused on the chemical characterization of Maytenus ilicifolia extracts obtained from high-pressure CO2 extraction. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale unit, where the effect of particle size (35-200 mesh), CO2 mass flow rate (1-3 g/min), temperature (293-323 K), pressure (100-250 bar), and extraction time was investigated in terms of liquid yield and chemical composition of the extracts. Results show that the particle size and CO2 mass flow rate did not affect the liquid yield, whereas the extraction temperature and solvent density exerted a pronounced effect on both liquid yield and chemical distribution of volatile compounds. The extracts were chemically analyzed with regard to phytol, squalene, vitamin E, stigmasterol, friedelan-3-ol, friedelin, dodecanoic acid and geranyl acetate in a GC/MSD.     

Efficacy of metmyoglobin and hemin as a catalyst of lipid peroxidation determined by using a new testing system

A new quantitative approach to investigate the capability of iron heme complexes (HEM), metmyoglobin and hemin, to catalyze lipid peroxidation was elaborated. The oxidation of methyl linoleate in micellar solutions was used as a testing model. The key point was the determination of the rate of free radical generation, RIN, calculated from the rate of oxygen consumption. The HEM catalytic activity was characterized by two independent parameters: by reactivity and by its resistance to degradation. Both parameters were found to be pH-dependent. The reactivity was expressed as the effective rate constant for the reaction of HEM with lipid hydroperoxide. The resistance to degradation was characterized by the rate of the decrease in RIN with time and also by the regeneration coefficient, which shows how many active free radicals can be generated by one molecule of HEM. Both Hemin and metMB were found to be very effective catalysts even at nanomolar concentrations. The effective regeneration of active forms of HEM was observed. The catalytic activity of HEM was rapidly reduced with time. The kinetic scheme of the process under consideration was suggested, and this was applied for kinetic computer simulations.     

Conformational switches modulate protein interactions in peptide antibiotic synthetases

Protein dynamics plays an important role in protein function. Many functionally important motions occur on the microsecond and low millisecond time scale and can be characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation experiments. We describe the different states of a peptidyl carrier protein (PCP) that play a crucial role in its function as a peptide shuttle in the nonribosomal peptide synthetases of the tyrocidine A system. Both apo-PCP (without the bound 4'-phosphopantetheine cofactor) and holo-PCP exist in two different stable conformations. We show that one of the apo conformations and one of the holo conformations are identical, whereas the two remaining conformations are only detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in either the apo or holo form. We further demonstrate that this conformational diversity is an essential prerequisite for the directed movement of the 4'-PP cofactor and its interaction with externally acting proteins such as thioesterases and 4'-PP transferase.     

东方山羊豆脱水蛋白基因的克隆及初步分析

 采用ＳＭＡＲＴ ＲＡＣＥ 方法,从东方山羊豆盐诱导抑制性差减杂交ｃＤＮＡ 文库中分离到了一个脱水蛋白（GoDHN）基因。该基因ｃＤＮＡ 全长１１６９ｂｐ,开放阅读框８４３ｂｐ,编码２８１ 个氨基酸,编码的蛋白质分子量为２８．７１ｋＤａ。经实时荧光定量ＰＣＲ 分析,GoDHN 基因在东方山羊豆的茎和叶中表达量明显高于根中表达量,并且基因表达受ＡＢＡ、ＮａＣｌ和ＰＥＧ 的诱导,随着诱导时间的增加,表达量呈持续增长趋势。这些结果表明,DHN 基因在东方山羊豆的抗逆性中可能起到重要的调控作用。本研究成功构建了ｐＣＡＭＢＩＡ１３０２-ＤＨＮ 植物表达载体,为下一步转基因研究奠定了基础。     

Broadband light bending with plasmonic nanoantennas

The precise manipulation of a propagating wave using phase control is a fundamental building block of optical systems. The wavefront of a light beam propagating across an interface can be modified arbitrarily by introducing abrupt phase changes. We experimentally demonstrated unparalleled wavefront control in a broadband optical wavelength range from 1.0 to 1.9 micrometers. This is accomplished by using an extremely thin plasmonic layer (~λ/50) consisting of an optical nanoantenna array that provides subwavelength phase manipulation on light propagating across the interface. Anomalous light-bending phenomena, including negative angles of refraction and reflection, are observed in the operational wavelength range.     

Type IV fimbrial subunit protein ApfA contributes to protection against porcine pleuropneumonia

ABSTRACT: Porcine pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae accounts for serious economic losses in the pig farming industry worldwide. We examined here the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the recombinant type IV fimbrial subunit protein ApfA as a single antigen vaccine against pleuropneumonia, or as a component of a multi-antigen preparation comprising five other recombinant antigens derived from key virulence factors of A. pleuropneumoniae (ApxIA, ApxIIA, ApxIIIA, ApxIVA and TbpB). Immunization of pigs with recombinant ApfA alone induced high levels of specific serum antibodies and provided partial protection against challenge with the heterologous A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 9 strain. This protection was higher than that engendered by vaccination with rApxIVA or rTbpB alone and similar to that observed after immunization with the tri-antigen combination of rApxIA, rApxIIA and rApxIIIA. In addition, rApfA improved the vaccination potential of the penta-antigen mixture of rApxIA, rApxIIA, rApxIIIA, rApxIVA and rTbpB proteins, where the hexa-antigen vaccine containing rApfA conferred a high level of protection on pigs against the disease. Moreover, when rApfA was used for vaccination alone or in combination with other antigens, such immunization reduced the number of pigs colonized with the challenge strain. These results indicate that ApfA could be a valuable component of an efficient subunit vaccine for the prevention of porcine pleuropneumonia.