Optimized expression of heparin sulfotransferases and their application in sulfation of animal derived heparin / 生物工程学报

Heparin is a very important anticoagulant drug. Currently, heparin is mainly extracted from porcine mucosa. However, animal-derived heparin shows low anticoagulant activity due to the low proportion of the anticoagulant active unit, the GlcNS6S-GlcA-GlcNS6S3S-Ido2S-GlcNS6S pentasaccharide. In this study we proposed an enzymatic strategy to sulfate the animal-sourced heparin to increase the proportion of anticoagulant pentasaccharide and the anticoagulant activity. First, three sulfotransferases HS2ST, HS6ST, and HS3ST were expressed tentatively in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. After measuring the sulfotransferase activity, we confirmed P. pastoris GS115 is the better host for sulfotransferases production. Then, the maltose binding protein (MBP) and thioredoxin (TrxA) were fused separately to the N-terminal of sulfotransferases to increase enzyme solubility. As a result, the yields of HS2ST and HS6ST were increased to (839±14) U/L and (792±23) U/L, respectively. Subsequent sulfation of the animal-sourced heparin with the recombinant HS2ST, HS6ST and HS3ST increased the anticoagulant activity from (76±2) IU/mg to (189±17) IU/mg.

Molecular characterization of CHST11 and its potential role in nacre formation in pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii

Background: C4ST-1 catalyzes the transfer of sulfate groups in the sulfonation of chondroitin during chondroitin sulfate synthesis. Chondroitin sulfate consists of numerous copies of negatively charged sulfonic acid groups that participate in the nucleation process of biomineralization. In the present study, we obtained two CHST11 genes (PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b) which encoded the C4ST-1 and explored the functions of these genes in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate and in the formation of the nacreous layer of shells. Results: Both PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b had a sulfotransferase-2 domain, a signal peptide and a transmembrane domain. These properties indicated that these genes localize in the Golgi apparatus. Real-time PCR revealed that both PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b were highly expressed in the central zone of the mantle tissue. Inhibiting PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b via RNA interference significantly decreased the expression levels of these genes in the central zone of the mantle tissue and the concentration of chondroitin sulfate in extrapallial fluid. Moreover, shell nacre crystallized irregularly with a rough surface after RNA interference. Conclusions: This study indicated that PmCHST11a and PmCHST11b are involved in the nacre formation of Pinctada fucata martensii through participating in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate.

Research Progress on Abused Drugs Metabolic in vivo / 法医学杂志

Under the catalysis of a variety of metabolic enzymes in vivo, such as UDP-glucuronyl transferases, cytochrome P450, carboxylesterase, sulfotransferase, butyrylcholinesterase, catechol-O-methyl transferase and 6-morphine dehydrogenase, the drugs perform glucuronidation, hydrolysis, oxidation, sulfonation and other reactions, then translate into active or inactive metabolites, which are excreted through urination, bile or the other pathways at last. Different drugs own their different metabolic pathways. This paper introduces the studies about the metabolism of drugs in human and animal in recent years, such as morphine-like drugs, amphetamine, ketamine, cannabis and cocaine, and reviews the research progress about the sites of metabolism, metabolic enzymes, metabolites and physiological activity of those drugs metabolic in vivo.

Correlation between the methylation of SULF2 and WRN promoter and chemosensitivity to irinotecan in gastric cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between SULF2 and WRN promoter methylation and chemosensitivity to irinotecan, and also the clinicopathological features in patients with gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The chemosensitivity to irinotecan was tested by MTT assay. The methylation of SULF2 and WRN promoter in the fresh gastric cancer tissues was detected by methylation specific PCR. The differences of chemosensitivity and clinicopathological features of the methylation group were compared with that of the non-methylation group. The tumor growth in nude mice bearing human gastric cancer xenografts treated with CPT-11was also observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methylation rates of SULF2 and WRN were 28.4% (29/102) and 23.5% (24/102), respectively. There were no significant association between promoter methylation and clinicopathological features of patients including age, gender, histologic type, lymphatic invasion, and TNM Stage. In all the 102 cases, there were 30 cases of irrinotecan-sensitive group, and 72 cases of the irrinotecan-resistant group. The SULF2 methylation rate was 46.7% (14/30)in the sensitive group, and 20.8% (15/72) in the resistant group (P = 0.008),The WRN methylation rate was 33.3% (10/30) in the sensitive group, and 19.4% (14/72) in the resistant group (P = 0.214). Gastric cancer tissues were more sensitive to irrinotecan when both the genes were methylated. The nude mice bearing human gastric cancer xenografts with SULF2 methylation were more sensitive to irrinotecan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The detection of SULF2 and WRN promoter methylation may provide evidence for screening and targeting the most sensitive gastric cancer subpopulation suitable for personalized irrinotecan chemotherapy.</p>

A Case of Korean Patient with Macular Corneal Dystrophy Associated with Novel Mutation in the CHST6 Gene

To report a novel mutation within the CHST6 gene, as well as describe light and electron microscopic features of a case of macular corneal dystrophy. A 59-year old woman with macular corneal dystrophy in both eyes who had decreased visual acuity underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Further studies including light and electron microscopy, as well as DNA analysis were performed. Light microscopy of the cornea revealed glycosaminoglycan deposits in the keratocytes and endothelial cells, as well as extracellularly within the stroma. All samples stained positively with alcian blue, colloidal iron, and periodic acid-Schiff. Electron microscopy showed keratocytes distended by membrane-bound intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing electron-dense fibrillogranular material. These vacuoles were present in the endothelial cells and between stromal lamellae. Some of the vacuoles contained dense osmophilic whorls. A novel homozygous mutation (c.613 C>T [p.Arg205Trp]) was identified within the whole coding region of CHST6. A novel CHST6 mutation was detected in a Korean macular corneal dystrophy patient.

Down-regulation of hepatitis B virus replication by heparin sulfate-D-glucosaminyl-3-O-sulfotransferase 3B1 / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of HS3ST3B1 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HepG2 cells were classified into 7 groups according to the plasmids transfected: (1) Blank group, no plasmid transfected; 2. Positive control, transfected with pCH9-HBV which permits HBV replication; (3) Negative control, transfected with pCH9-HBV + pcDNA3.1 + pTZU6+1; (4) Treatment A, transfected with pCH9-HBV + pCDNA3.1-HS3ST3B1 + pTZU6+1; (5) Interference A, transfected with pCH9-HBV + pCDNA3.1-HS3ST3B1 + psh1126 (a plasmid to interfere HS3ST3B1 expression); (6) Treatment B, transfected with pCH9-HBV + pTZU6+1; (7) Interference B, transfected with pCH9-HBV + psh1126. The levels of HBV DNA were detected in the above groups by Southern blotting. HBV total RNA of Negative control, Treatment A and Interference A were quantified by Real-time PCR to determine the influence of HS3ST3B1 over-expression on the HBV RNA transcription. The activity of the four HBV promoters [core promoter (cp), x promoter(xp), surface antigen promoter1(sp1), surface antigen promoter2 (sp2)] were assayed by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System. The data was analyzed using one way ANOVA, with P < 0.05 indicating statistically meaningful difference.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Southern blot data revealed the level of HBV DNA in Treatment A and Interference A accounted for 10% +/- 2% and 31% +/- 4% of that in control. Compared with control, a statistical difference existed between Treatment A and Control, with F value equalling to 20.8 and P value equalling to 0.034 respectively. A statistical difference also existed between Interfere A and Treatment A, with F value equalling to 24.9 and P value equalling to 0.021 respectively. The level of HBV DNA in Experiment B was raised by 130% +/- 11% as compared to that in Interference B, and the levels of HBV DNA showed a dose-dependent decrease when H7 cells were transfected with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 microg pCDNA3.1-HS3ST3B1 respectively. Statistical differences existed between control and H7 transfected with different dose of pCDNA3.1-HS3ST3B1, with F values equalling to 22.7, 20.3, 26.5 and P values equalling to 0.029, 0.041 and 0.015 respectively. Real-time PCR revealed that the HBV total RNA in Treatment A accounted for 17.0% +/- 2.7% of that in control and there was a statistical difference between Treatment A and control, with F value equalling to 25.6 and P value equalling to 0.018. In addition, HBV DNA in Interference A was restored to 74.0% +/- 3.9% of that in control, and there was also a statistical difference between Treatment A and Interference A, with F value equalling to 21.3 and P value equalling to 0.032. However, the down regulation of HBV total RNA had nothing to do with HBV promoters activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HS3ST3B1 can inhibit HBV replication and reduce the level of HBV total RNA, but the downregulation of HBV total RNA may not be the result of direct interaction of HS3ST3B1 and HBV promoters.</p>

Expression of estrogen sulfotransferase in the mammary gland of hypertrophic breast and its significance / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) in the mammary gland of hypertrophic breast and its significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EST expression in the mammary gland was detected by EnVision two step method of immunohistochemistry in 15 cases with normal breasts and 32 cases with hypertrophic breasts, including 19 gland-associated cases and 13 fat-associated cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of EST in mammary gland was 34.4% (11/32) in hypertrophic group and 93.3% (14/15) in normal group, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). The positive expression rate of EST was 10.5% (2/19) in gland-associated group and 69.2% (9/ 13) in fat-associated group, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Decrease or deletion of EST in the mammary gland may be related to the development of hypertrophic breast, especially gland-associated hypertrophic breast.</p>

Research progress on interactions between luteolin (glucosides) and drug-metabolizing enzyme / 药学学报

The paper summarizes the interactions between luteolin (glucosides) and drug-metabolizing enzyme from the literature of recent years and our research work. The metabolism of luteolin is chiefly mediated by phase II metabolic enzyme. Its glucosides are firstly hydrolyzed into aglycone in intestinal tract, and then absorbed and metabolized. Luteolin has the effect on the induction of CYP3A, and on the inhibition of CYPIA, 1B and 2E. Also, luteolin is an effective inhibitor of CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6. Luteolin can induce and inhibit UGTs and SULTs. It can also inhibit multi ABC transport proteins. Understanding the interactions between luteolin (glucosides) and drug-metabolizing enzyme has an important significance in guiding clinical use of the drug.

Regulation of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases activity by sulfotyrosine / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of sulfated tyrosine in regulating the activity of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPST) 1 and TPST2.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Constructs of TPST 1 and TPST2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then fused into immunoglobulin G1 Fc region. All the variants in which sulfated tyrosines were mutated to phenylalanine were made by the PCR-based Quick Change method and confirmed by sequencing the entire reading frame. Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs-targeting nucleotides 259-275 of TPST1 and nucleotides 73-94 of TPST2 were generated and subcloned into pBluescript. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells were transfected with these plasmids. One day later, cells were split: one part was labeled with 35S-cysteine and methionine or 35S-Na2SO3 overnight, the second part was used for 125I labeled binding experiment, and the third part was retained for binding and flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Tyrosines at position 326 of TPST1 and position 325 of TPST2 were sulfated posttranslationally. Tyrosine sulfation of TPSTs was effectively inhibited by sulfation inhibitors, including specific shRNAs and non-specific NaCIO3. shRNAs reduced the sulfation of C3a receptor and C5a receptor, and partially blocked the binding of these two receptors to their respective ligands.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The activities of TPSTs were regulated by tyrosine sulfation. Inhibition of sulfotyrosine decreases the binding ability of C3a receptor and C5a receptor to their respective ligands.</p>

The schistosome enzyme that activates oxamniquine has the characteristics of a sulfotransferase

Available evidence suggests that the antischistosomal drug oxamniquine is converted to a reactive ester by a schistosome enzyme that is missing in drug-resistant parasites. This study presents data supporting the idea that the active ester is a sulfate and the activating enzyme is a sulfotransferase. Evidence comes from the fact that the parasite extract loses its activating capability upon dialysis, implying the requirement of some dialyzable cofactor. The addition of the sulfate donor 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) restored activity of the dialyzate, a strong indication that a sulfotransferase is probably involved. Classical sulfotransferase substrates like beta-estradiol and quercetin competitively inhibited the activation of oxamniquine. Furthermore, these substrates could be sulfonated in vitro using an extract of sensitive (but not resistant) schistosomes. Gel filtration analysis showed that the activating factor eluted in a fraction corresponding to a molecular mass of about 32 kDa, which is the average size of typical sulfotransferase subunits. Ion exchange and affinity chromatography confirmed the sulfotransferase nature of the enzyme. Putative sulfotransferases present in schistosome databases are being examined for their possible role as oxamniquine activators.

Cytosolic sulfotransferases.

Sulfoconjugation (Sulfation or Sulfonation) is an important reaction in the phase II biotransformation of a wide number of endogenous and foreign chemicals, including: drugs, toxic chemicals, hormones, and neurotransmitters. The reaction is catalyzed by the members of the cytosolic sulfotransferase (SULT) superfamily, consisting of ten functional genes in humans. Sulfation reaction in living cells is reversed by sulfatase, which hydrolyses the sulfonated conjugates. It has a major role in regulating the endocrine status of an individual by modulating the activity of steroid hormones, their biosynthesis, and the metabolism of catecholamines. Sulfonation is a key reaction in the body's 'chemical' defense against xenobiotics. Although the primary function of sulfoconjugation is to permit detoxification of the compound, it also results in the activation of chemical procarcinogens, such as certain dietary and environmental agents into carcinogens. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the structure of mammalian cytosolic sulfotransferases and their role in human steroid associated cancers and in the bioactivation of chemical carcinogens.

Moduladores seletivos de enzimas estrogênicas - ações na mama / Selective estrogen enzyme modulators - actions on breast

O Tecido mamário canceroso contém todas as enzimas (estrona sulfatase, 17beta-hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase, aromatase) envolvidas nos últimos passos da biossíntese do estradiol. Este tecido também contém sulfotransferase para a formação de sulfatos de estrogênio biologicamente inativos. Nos últimos anos, demonstrou-se que vários progestágenos (promegestona, acetato de nomegestrol, medrogestona), bem como a tibolona e seus metabólitos são potentes inibidores das atividades da sulfatase e da 17beta-hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase. Mostrou-se, também, que promegestona, acetato de nomegestrol, medrogestona ou tibolona podem estimular a atividade da sulfotransferase para a produção local de sulfatos de estrogênio. Todos estes dados, em adição a numerosos agentes que podem bloquear a ação da aromatase, levam ao novo conceito dos moduladores seletivos de enzimas estrogênicas (SEEM), o qual pode ser amplamente aplicado ao tecido mamário canceroso. A exploração de vários progestágenos e outros agentes ativos em trials com pacientes com câncer de mama, mostrando efeito inibidor na sulfatase e 17 beta-hidroxiesteróide desidrogenase, ou efeito estimulador na sulfotransferase, irá proporcionar nova possibilidade no tratamento desta doença

Estrógeno sulfotransferasa y estrógeno sulfatasa uterinas en la implantación embrionaria / Uterine estrogen sulfotransferase in embryo implantation

La relación estrógenos conjugados/no conjugados, asociada con procesos reproductivos, ha despertado el interés de estudiar el papel biológico y el control de la estrógeno sulfotransferasa y estrógeno sulfatasa que participan en la formación e hidrólisis de los estrógenos 3-sulfato, respectivamente. En este trabajo se determinó la actividad de las dos enzimas a través de la convesión recíproca de estrona sulfato-H3 y estrona-H3 en los sitios de implantación (SI) y áreas no implantadas (SNI) del útero de ratas durante el proceso de implantación embrionaria. En estos tejidos se observó un contraste en las actividades enzimáticas. En tanto que la sulfotransferasa en SI fue mayor que en SNI (0.205) pg vs. 0.144 pmola/mg proteína/h), la actividad de sulfatasa se presentó en forma inversa (1.470 y 1.977 pmolas/ mg proteína/h respectivamente). Estos resultados indican la presencia simultánea de ambas anzimas en el útero de rata y sugieren la existencia en SI de un mecanismo que regula la concentración local de estrógenos libres y sulfoconjugados en el que participan dichas enzimas