Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0162871 (abdominal aortic aneurysm)
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A new mannose-binding lectin was isolated from shallot (Allium ascalonicum) bulbs by affinity chromatography on an immobilized D-mannose column. The lectin (A. ascalonicum agglutinin, AAA) appeared homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3 and gave a single protein band with an apparent M(r) of 11 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single symmetrical peak of 11 kDa by gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-200 HR column, indicating that AAA exists as a monomeric protein at neutral pH under the gel filtration condition employed. However, chemical cross-linking studies revealed that some degree of self-association of the lectin molecules occurs and that the lectin exists in solution as a mixture of monomers and oligomers. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium dialysis data showed the presence of one carbohydrate binding site for Man (alpha 1-3) Man-alpha-O-Me per monomer, with Ka = 1.62 x 10(4) M-1. The carbohydrate-binding properties of the purified AAA were investigated by quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition assays. Purified AAA precipitated asialofetuin, asialotransferrin, asialothyroglobulin, asialoorosomucoid, as well as their agalacto derivatives, but did not precipitate either sialylated glycoproteins or mucins. AAA also reacted strongly with the highly branched yeast mannan obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Of the monosaccharides tested only D-mannose was a hapten inhibitor of the AAA-asialofetuin precipitation system, whereas D-glucose, D-altrose, D-talose, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, and derivatives of D-mannose, including 2-deoxy-, 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-, 3-deoxy-, and 6-deoxy-D-mannose were noninhibitors. These results suggest that the presence of equatorial hydroxyl groups at the C-3 and C-4 positions, an axial hydroxyl group at the C-2 position, and a free hydroxyl group at the C-6 position of the pyranose ring are the most important loci for the binding of D-mannose to AAA. Of the oligosaccharides tested, the best inhibitors were oligosaccharides containing terminal Man(alpha 1-6) [Man(alpha 1-3)]Man groups. Oligosaccharides containing either Man(alpha 1-3)Man or Man(alpha 1-6)Man units were also moderately good inhibitors of the AAA-asialofetuin precipitation system. These results indicate that AAA has an extended carbohydrate-binding site, which is most complementary to a branched mannotriosyl residue, i.e., Man(alpha 1-6)[Man(alpha 1-3)]Man.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Purification and characterization of a mannose-specific lectin from Shallot (Allium ascalonicum) bulbs. 821 47

Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus that causes vascular wilts in a wide variety of plant species. Basil is recognized as an ecological niche for Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici (FOB) and this fungus is now present in most countries where basil is cultivated. The rapid identification of the species affecting basil plants is necessary to define a successful method for crop protection. The aim of this study was to develop a PCR method for the rapid detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici in substrates. The specificity of the primers used was tested using the DNA extracted directly from substrate samples. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici was artificially inoculated with decreasing amounts in a commercial substrate (sphagnum peat moss) and in a mixture with 40% of municipal compost, after steam disinfestation. Basil seeds (cv. Fine verde) were sown in pots that were laid on a bench in the greenhouse. At time 0 and after 7, 14 and 21 days from the inoculation, substrate and root samples were collected and prepared for microbial analysis and for the DNA extraction. DNA extraction was carried out using NucleoSpin Soil Kit (Macherey-Nagel, Germany). PCR amplification for the specific detection was carried out using primer sets Bik 1 (5'-ATT CAA GAG CTA AAG GTC C-3') and Bik 4 (5'-TTT GAC CAA GAT AGA TGC C-3') for the first PCR, while primers Bik 1 + Bik 2 (5'-AAA GGT AGT ATA TCG GAG G-3') for the nested PCR to increase detection sensitivity. Disease incidence was also assessed 21 days after seeding. The results showed the presence of amplified fragments of the expected size when the concentration of F. oxysporum f.sp. basilici was at least 3.5 Log CFU g(-1) by using DNA extract directly from substrate, before roots were infected by the pathogen. The detection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici by PCR method developed in this study is certainly simple and fast and can be useful for its reliable detection in substrate samples, but not to guarantee that the substrate is totally free of pathogens.
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PMID:Detection of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. basilici in substrates and roots by PCR. 2515 41

Glycine betaine is one of the most effective compatible solutes of the halophilic lactic acid bacterium Tetragenococcus halophilus, the transportation of which is essential for its survival under salinity stress condition. In the current study, we attempted to define a glycine betaine ABC transporter system of T. halophilus, busATha, which plays an important role in adapting to salinity condition. The expression of busATha enhanced the growth of the recombinant strain under high salinity. BusRTha, a transcription regulator that represses the expression of busATha, was characterized, and the repression was abrogated under high salinity. The binding of the regulator was demonstrated through electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and the binding sites were characterized as 5'-AAA(T/G)TGAC(C/A)(G/A)T(C/A)C-3'. This is the first studied transcription regulator of T. halophilus, and our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism of halophilic life and tools for further application of halophiles as chassis in industrial biotechnology.
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PMID:Identification of a GntR family regulator BusRTha and its regulatory mechanism in the glycine betaine ABC transport system of Tetragenococcus halophilus. 3105 34