Expression and distribution of kallikrein-related peptidases 5, 7, 8 and 10 in normal apocrine gland of canine skin / Expresión y distribución de péptidos relacionados con la calicreína 5, 7, 8 y 10 en glándula apocrina normal de piel canina

SUMMARY: Apocrine glands are sweat glands that are located in the skin of the dog. Anal sac apocrine, circunanal apocrine, and mammary glands are considered modified apocrine structures, and there are about nine possible types of neoplasms and other tumors in the apocrine glands of the dog and cat, including cysts, adenoma, carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Thus, it is important to provide new markers to characterize these glands to improve the histopathological diagnosis. In this article, we describe the distribution of kallikrein- related peptidases 5, 7, 8, and 10 in the normal apocrine glands of the dog's skin. These proteases have been shown to play a fundamental role in the homeostasis of the human skin barrier but have been scarcely studied in canine skin.

Las glándulas apocrinas son glándulas sudoríparas que se encuentran en la piel del perro. Las glándulas apocrinas del saco anal, apocrinas circunanales y mamarias se consideran estructuras apocrinas modificadas, y existen alrededor de nueve tipos posibles de neoplasias y otros tumores en las glándulas apocrinas del perro y el gato, incluidos quistes, adenoma, carcinoma y adenocarcinoma. Por lo tanto, es importante proporcionar nuevos marcadores para caracterizar estas glándulas para mejorar el diagnóstico histopatológico. En este artículo, describimos la distribución de las peptidasas 5, 7, 8 y 10 relacionadas con la calicreína en las glándulas apocrinas normales de la piel del perro. Se ha demostrado que estas proteasas desempeñan un papel fundamental en la homeostasis de la barrera de la piel humana, pero apenas se han estudiado en la piel canina.

Research progress of ubiquitin-specific peptidases in tumorigenesis and development / 国际外科学杂志

Protein ubiquitination is one of the important mechanisms regulating protein stability and activity under physiological condition. Among them, E1/E2/E3 ligases and deubiquitination enzyme play an important regulatory role in the process of protein ubiquitination, while deubiquitination may induce the occurrence of tumors, asthma and other diseases. Ubiquitin-specific peptidases, as the main members of the deubiquitination enzyme family, have been proved to be closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors, among which some ubiquitin-specific peptidases have been used as new targets for anti-tumor therapy. Therefore, this study aims to briefly review the regulatory mechanisms of ubiquitin-specific peptidases in the process of tumor genesis and development, which will provide more research directions for tumor therapy.

New cathepsin V inhibitor from stems of Bowdichia virgilioides

Abstract Bioassay-guided fractionation of Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth, Fabaceae, extracts has led to the isolation of cathepsin V inhibitors. The investigation of the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts allowed the characterization of eleven compounds: lupeol, lupenone, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol in mixture, trans p-coumaric acid ester derivative, syringaresinol, bowdenol, 8-methoxycoumestrol, 3,4-hydroxy-7-methoxyisoflavone, 7,3′-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone, and 5,4′-dihydroxy-7′-methoxyisoflavone. Structures of compounds were stablished by 1D and 2D NMR, and MS experiments. Among the isolated compounds, trans p-coumaric acid ester derivative and 8-methoxycoumestrol showed significant inhibition on cathepsin V, which is up to now unexplored.

Calpains of Leishmania braziliensis: genome analysis, differential expression, and functional analysis

BACKGROUND Calpains are proteins belonging to the multi-gene family of calcium-dependent cysteine peptidases that undergo tight on/off regulation, and uncontrolled proteolysis of calpains is associated with severe human pathologies. Calpain orthologues are expanded and diversified in the trypanosomatids genome. OBJECTIVES Here, we characterised calpains in Leishmania braziliensis, the main causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. METHODS/FINDINGS In total, 34 predicted calpain-like genes were identified. After domain structure evaluation, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) during in vitro metacyclogenesis revealed (i) five genes with enhanced expression in the procyclic stage, (ii) one augmented gene in the metacyclic stage, and (iii) one procyclic-exclusive transcript. Western blot analysis revealed that an antibody against a consensus-conserved peptide reacted with multiple calpain-like proteins, which is consistent with the multi-gene family characteristic. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry analyses revealed the presence of calpain-like molecules mainly in the cytoplasm, to a lesser extent in the plasma membrane, and negligible levels in the nucleus, which are all consistent with calpain localisation. Eventually, the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 was used for functional studies revealing (i) a leishmaniostatic effect, (ii) a reduction in the association index in mouse macrophages, (iii) ultra-structural alterations conceivable with autophagy, and (iv) an enhanced expression of the virulence factor GP63. CONCLUSION This report adds novel insights into the domain structure, expression, and localisation of L. braziliensis calpain-like molecules.

Advances in Studies on the Effect of Incretin-Based Therapy on Cardiovascular System / 天津医药

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which results in a high risk of mortality. Thus, the cardiovascular safety of new anti-diabetic agents has become an important prob?lem with wide concern. There are two classes of incretine-based medications: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (DPP-4I). It has been demonstrated that GLP-1RA and DPP-4I possesse beneficial actions in both animal models of cardiovascular dysfunction and patients with ischemic heart diseases. However, their effects on the cardiovascular system in diabetic patients with heart diseases are still uncertain. Here, we sys?tematically reviewed the effects of GLP-1RA and DPP-4I on cardiovascular system to provide more evidence of incretin-based therapy application for diabetes and complications.

Triterpenoids and sterols from Melia azedarach and their anti-diabetes activities / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents from the barks of Melia azedarach and their antidiabetes activities. Methods: The constituents were isolated and purified by silica gel, reverse phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and their structures were identified by spectra and physiochemical characteristic analysis. The agonist activities of the isolated triterpenoids against glucokinase (GK) and SIRT1, and the inhibitory activity against dipeptidyl peptidasesIV (DPPIV), and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) were tested in vitro. Results: Six triterpenoids and three sterols were obtained from MeOH extract in the barks of M. azedarach and were elucidated as meliastatin 3 (1), kulonic acid (2), kulactone (3), sendanolactone (4), dubione B (5), 20, 24-cyclotirucalla-7(8)-en-16β, 21α, 25-trihydroxy-3-one (6), 3β-hydroxy-5, 8-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22-diene (7), 2β, 3β, 4β-trihydroxy-pregn-16-one (8), and 3β-hydroxy-pregn-5, 17 (20)-dien-16-one (9). Compound 2 showed the inhibitory activity against 11β-HSD1 with the IC50 value of 54.15 nmol/L. Conclusion: Compounds 6-9 are obtained from this species for the first time. The tested compounds 1-4 are inactive against GK, SIRT1, and DPPIV, but compound 2 shows high selectivity against human 11β-HSD.

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin phosphate in type 2 diabetics poorly controlled by antidiabetic drugs / 中华全科医师杂志

A 24-week study was performed to compare the efficacies of before and after dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin phosphate 100 mg/d in 42 type 2 diabetics who were inadequately controlled with multiple oral antidiabetic drugs for at least 3 months.The treatment group sitagliptin phosphate fasting plasma glucose,2 h postprandial glucose (2 hPPG) and glycated hemoglobulin decreased significantly compared with before treatment [(9.3 ±1.2) to (6.5 ±1.9) mmol/L,(15.2 ±3.1) to (8.1 ±2.1)mmol/L,(8.2 ± 2.1) ％ to (6.7 ± 1.3) ％,all P ＜ 0.01].There was no hypoglycemia,weight gain or other adverse reactions.The short-term sitagliptin phosphate could effectively reduce the blood sugar levels of poorly controlled obese type 2 diabetics.With a low incidence of hypoglycemia and an excellent safety profilc,there was no weight gain.

Efeito da 1, 10-fenantrolina e seus derivados complexados em metal na atividade proteolítica de Leishmania braziliensis / Effect of 1, 10-phenanthroline and its complexed metal derivatives in proteolytic activity of Leishmania braziliensis

Leishmanioses são um grupo de doenças com um largo espectro de manifestações clínicas, as quais variam desde lesões cutâneas até o envolvimento visceral severo, podendo levar ao ótibo. A leishmaniose é, ainda hoje, uma doença negligenciada, estando entre os agravos prioritários do programa de pesquisa sobre doenças da pobreza da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Além de não haver vacinas disponíveis, a terapia é baseada em medicamentos injetáveis que causam sérios efeitos colaterais, tornando o tratamento inviável para muitos países endêmicos. Drogas derivadas de metal representam um novo arsenal terapêutico antimicrobiano e anti-câncer. Os inibidores de peptidase/agentes quelantes tais como 1,10-fenantrolina e seus derivados, no estado livre de metal ou como ligantes com metais de transição, interferem com a função de vários sistemas biológicos. Em trabalhos anteriores, nosso grupo descreveu que o parasito L. braziliensis produziu moléculas gp63 sensíveis a 1,10-fenantrolina. No presente trabalho, demonstramos a distribuição celular da molécula gp63 em uma cepa virulenta de L. braziliensis por meio de análises bioquímicas e imuno-histoquímica. Depois disso, relatamos os efeitos inibitórios de três compostos derivados da 1,10-fenantrolina, 1,10-fenantrolina-5,6-dioma (phendio), [Cu(phendio)2] e [Ag(phendio)2], nas atividades metalopeptidases celulares e extracelulares produzidas por promastigotas de L. braziliensis, bem como as suas ações sobre a viabilidade do parasita e na interação com as células de macrófagos murinos. As moléculas gp63 foram detectadas em compartimentos de parasitos, incluindo membrana citoplasmatica e bolsa flagelar. O tratamento de promastigotas de L. braziliensis durante 1 hora com 1,10-fenantrolina e seus derivados resultou numa inibição significativa da viabilidade celular e mostrou um mecanismo de ação irreversível. Estes inibidores de metalopeptidases induziram apoptose em promastigotas de L. braziliensis, demonstrada através ...

Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, which range from self-limited skin lesions to severe visceral involvement that can lead to death. Leishmaniasis is still a neglected disease, and it is among the priorities of the research program on diseases of poverty of World Health Organization (TDR/WHO). There is no available vaccine and the treatment is based on drugs that cause serious side effects, and are unaffordable in several endemic countries. Metal-based drugs represent a novel antimicrobial and anti-cancer therapeutics arsenal. Peptidase inhibitors/chelating agents such as 1,10-phenanthroline and its substituted derivatives, either the metal-free state or as ligands coordinated to transition metals, interfere with crucial functions of several biological systems. In previous works, our group described that L. braziliensis produced gp63 molecules sensible to 1,10-phenanthroline. Herein, we initially studied the cellular distribution of gp63 in a virulent strain of L. braziliensis by biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. After that, we reported the inhibitory effects of three 1,10-phenanthroline derivative compounds, 1,10-phenanthroloine-5,6-dione (phendio), [Cu(phendio)2] and [Ag(phendio)2], on both cellular and extracellular metallopeptidase activities produced by L. braziliensis promastigotes as well as their actions on the parasite viability and on the interaction with murine macrophage cells. The gp63 molecules were detected in several parasite compartments, including cytoplasm, membrane lining the cell body and flagellum, and flagellar pocket. The treatment of L. braziliensis promastigotes for 1 hour with 1,10-phenanthroline and its derivatives resulted in a significant inhibition of cell viability and showed an irreversible mechanism of action. These metallopeptidase inhibitors induced apoptosis in L. braziliensis promastigotes as judged by annexin/propidium iodide staining and TUNEL assays ...

The effect of perfusion and preservation with intragraft DPP Ⅳ catalytic inhibitor on pulmonary function after lung transplantation in rats / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of perfusion and preservation with intragraft dipeptidyl peptidase Ⅳ (DPP Ⅳ) catalytic inhibitor on pulmonary function after lung transplantation in rats. Methods Pure SD rats were divided into six groups. Syngeneic rats (SD to SD) served as donors and recipients. Orthotopic lung transplantation model was used. Grafts of control groups (CONI and CON2) were flushed and preserved in LPD-glucoae exposed to 18 h of cold ischemia before transplantation. Peak airway pressure (PIP), blood gas (PO2), wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the content of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) of CON1 group were analyzed at first day after transplantation. In CON2 group, the 7-day survival rate post-transplantation was observed. Experimental groups were divided into four sub-groups (EXP1-EXP4), and grafts were perfused and stored for 18 h with LPD-glueose plus DPPⅣ catalytic inhibitor. The pulmonary function was detected at 1st (EXP1), 3rd (EXP2), 5th (EXP3), and 7th day (EXP4) posttransplantation, respectively. Results The rats in CON2 were died at 7th day post-transplantation,and all rats in EXP4 group survived to the 7th day post-transplantation. As compared with CON1 group, PIP, W/D, MPO activity and MDA content were reduced (P<0. 01 or 0. 05), and PO2 increased (P<0. 05) in EXP4 group. The pulmonary function of DPPⅣ catalytic inhibitor-perfused grafts from 1 to 7 days was improved and all tested parameters were close to normal at 7th day.Conclusion Perfusion and preservation with an inhibitor of CD26/DPP Ⅳ enzymatic activity obviously reduced severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury and was beneficial to the rehabilitation of grafts'pulmonary function.

Trailing end-point phenotype antibiotic-sensitive strains of Candida albicans produce different amounts of aspartyl peptidases

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes severe systemic infections in immunosuppressed individuals. C. albicans resistance to antifungal drugs is a severe problem in patients receiving prolonged therapy. Moreover, trailing yeast growth, which is defined as a resistant MIC after 48 h of incubation with triazole antifungal agents but a susceptible MIC after 24 h, has been noted in tests of antifungal susceptibility against some C. albicans isolates. In this context, we recently noticed this phenomenon in our routine susceptibility tests with fluconazole/itraconazole and C. albicans clinical isolates. In the present study, we investigated the production of cell-associated and secreted aspartyl peptidases (Saps) in six trailing clinical isolates of C. albicans, since this class of hydrolytic enzymes is a well-known virulence factor expressed by this fungal pathogen. Sap2, which is the best-studied member of the Sap family, was detected by flow cytometry on the cell surface of yeasts and as a 43-kDa polypeptide in the culture supernatant, as demonstrated by Western blotting assay using an anti-Sap1-3 polyclonal antibody. Released aspartyl peptidase activity was measured with BSA hydrolysis and inhibited by pepstatin A, showing distinct amounts of proteolytic activity ranging from 5.7 (strain 44B) to 133.2 (strain 11) arbitrary units. Taken together, our results showed that trailing clinical isolates of C. albicans produced different amounts of both cellular and secreted aspartyl-type peptidases, suggesting that this phenotypic feature did not generate a regular pattern regarding the expression of Sap.

Histology and histochemistry of the venom apparatus of the black scorpion Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

The venom apparatus of the black scorpion Androctonus crassicauda has been characterized histologically and histochemically in the present study. The results showed that this apparatus consists of paired venom glands, each of which initially presents its own canal and posteriorily both fuse into a single common one. Each gland is covered by a sheath of striated muscle and is lined with extensively folded secretory epithelium (formed of non-secretory and secretory venom-producing cells). The outcomes also revealed that the venom-producing cells of both glands produce neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins, sulfomucins and proteins, but are devoid of glycogen. Cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan and arginine were also detected along with activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase, aminopeptidase, cholinesterase and non-specific esterases. Structure and secretion of scorpion venom glands are discussed within the context of the present results.(AU)

The expression of XIAP, Smac, HtrA2 and XAF1 in the rat hippocampus following status epilepticus / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of XIAP, Smac, HtrA2 and XAF1 in the hippocampus following SE in rats and to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of expression of XIAP and its negative regulators after SE. Methods The lithium-pilocapine model of status epilepticus was established in SD rat. XIAP, Smac, HtrA2, XAF1 and activated caspase-3 protein were examined using immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of XIAP, Smac, HtrA2 and activated easpase-3. Results XIAP immunoreactivity diffusely distributed within the neuron after SE. Compared with the control group, the expression of CA3 XIAP protein in the SE group was increased gradually since 2 hours (0.5503±0.0172 vs 0.1507±0.0165, t=115.87, P<0.01), peaking at 8 hours (0.6221±0.0238 vs 0.1507±0.0165, t=136.69, P<0.01). The expression of CA3 Smac, HtrA2, XAF1 and activated caspase-3 protein were increased generally following SE. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in Stoat, HtrA2, activated caspase-3 protein levels from 2 to 72 hours following SE, but no significant differences were seen in XIAP protein levels between the control group and the SE group. Conclusions The XIAP, Smac, HtrA2 and XAF1 are involved in the regulation of neuronal apoptosis and implicated in pathophysiological mechanisms of neuronal damage after SE.

Interaction of amino acids with glycyl-glycine transport in the mammalian intestine.

In order to investigate a possible interaction between free amino acids and dipeptides during their mucosal uptake in man and monkey, perfusion studies in vivo and uptake studies in vitro using labelled and non-labelled dipeptides and amino acids have been carried out. In contrast to the observations of other workers, inhibition of glycyl-glycine uptake was observed with free leucine and methioninc but not with glycine, proline, hydroxyproline or alanine. Leucine and methionine caused inhibition of cytosol glycyl-glycine hydrolase activity, while glycine had no effect. The dipeptide uptake and dipeptide hydrolysis by cytosol enzyme was competitively inhibited by leucine. Although brush border glycyl-glycine hydrolase was also inhibited by leucine, the inhibition was noncompetitive. These data indicate that a few free amino acids can interact with dipeptides during uptake. This interaction might occur either at the transport step or at the stage of intracellular dipeptide hydrolysis.