Inhibition of human 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase by peptides leading to cholesterol homeostasis through SREBP2 pathway in HepG2 cells.

In mammalian cells, human 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), a rate-limiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) bonded enzyme, plays a central role in the cholesterol homeostasis via the negative feedback mechanism. The present study indicates that the interactions of novel peptides with the catalytic domain of HMGCR, provides an alternative therapeutic candidate for reducing cholesterol. The potential natural origin of HMGCR peptide inhibitors were filtered from the peptide library using the molecular docking, which revealed three strong candidates for inhibition. This information was used for synthesizing peptides, which were evaluated for inhibition against HMGCR. The stronger docking interactions were confirmed by experimental dissociation constant (KD) values of 9.1 × 10-9 M, 1.4 × 10-8 M and 1.2 × 10-8 M for peptides NALEPDNRIESEGG (Pep-1), NALEPDNRIES (Pep-2) and PFVKSEPIPETNNE (Pep-3) respectively. The immunological based interactions show a strong evidence of peptide-HMGCR complexes. The LDL uptake showed enhancements after treatments with peptides in the extracellular environment of HepG2 cells, which was further, corroborated through increase in the immunofluorescence signal of the localized LDL-R protein expression on the cell membrane. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of transcription factors were significantly up-regulated showing regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis in peptide treated HepG2 cells. The binding of transcription factors, sterol regulatory element (SRE) and cAMP-response element (CRE) on HMGCR promotor further confirms the cholesterol biosynthesis regulation. All the above results suggested a key role of peptide/s in alleviating cholesterol accumulation in tissue via inhibition of rate-limiting HMGCR enzyme.

Cupincin: A Novel Cupin Domain Containing Protease from Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Bran Comprising of Procoagulant and Fibrinogenolytic Activity.

The current study was carried out to evaluate the pharmacological properties of cupincin- A novel cupin domain containing metalloprotease with limited proteolysis from rice bran on blood coagulation and hydrolysis of human fibrinogen. Cupincin preferentially hydrolyzed the Aα chain of fibrinogen and then the Bß-chain, but not the γ-chain. Cupincin reduced the re-calcification time of citrated human plasma dose dependently. Analysis of citrated whole blood in the presence of cupincin by rotem showed a decrease in coagulation time and clot formation time. Sonoclot analysis indicated that cupincin cleaved fibrinogen of whole citrated blood. SDS-PAGE and sonoclot analysis (LI-30) indicated that cupincin lacked plasmin-like activity. Global hemostasis tests like rotem and sonoclot analysis determined cupincin as a procoagulant enzyme. Cupincin did not show any effect on prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time tests suggesting its action on the common pathway of coagulation. The involvement of proteases from rice (Oryza sativa L.) in haemostasis has never been exploited before. This study could provide the basis for the development of new procoagulant agents from a nontoxic source like rice.

Enzymatic process of rice bran: a stabilized functional food with nutraceuticals and nutrients.

Rice bran (RB), a byproduct of rice milling industry, is a rich source of nutraceuticals and nutrients. However its utility is limited due to the presence of lipase and lipoxygenase which initiates rancidity on milling. The aim of this investigation is to prevent oxidation of free fatty acids by enzymatic approach for its effective utilization. The enzymatic treatment comprised of alcalase treatment for complete inactivation of lipase along with reduction in lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and endoglucanase for improving the soluble fiber content. The enzyme treated rice bran was drum dried for further use. The nutraceutical molecules like γ-oryzanol, α-tocopherol and polyphenols were retained in the range of 68 to 110 % and the total antioxidant activity was improved. By the action of endoglucanase the complex carbohydrate was converted into glucose (72.28 %), cellobiose (18.36 %) and cellotriose (9.36 %). The prebiotic effect of enzyme treated rice bran was evaluated by the action of lactobacillus which was measured through the release of the short chain free fatty acids (SCFAs) analyzed by HPLC. The SCFAs; acetic acid and propionic acid increased by 1.72 folds and 2.12 folds respectively. B-complex vitamins showed maximum retention with vitamins like B1 (66.3 %), B2 (68.3 %) and B3 (55.0 %) after enzyme treatment. At different humidity levels, storage studies showed no change in LOX activity and also retained ubiquinol-10 in reduced state in enzyme treated RB for a period of 3 months. A stabilized RB has been developed enriched with short chain prebiotics and antioxidant molecules.

Influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the structural stability of endoglucanase from Aspergillus aculeatus.

The effect of the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the structure and function of endoglucanase is studied. In the presence of 2 mM EDTA, endoglucanase showed an enhanced enzymatic activity of 1.5-fold compared to control. No further change in activity was observed with increase in the concentration of EDTA to 5 mM. The K(m) values for control and in the presence of EDTA are 0.060 and 0.044%, respectively, and K(cat) was 1.9 min(-1) in the presence of EDTA. The kinetic parameters indicated a decrease in the K(m) with an increase in the K(cat). Far-ultraviolet circular dichroism (far-UV-CD) results showed a 20% decrease in ellipticity values at 217 nm in the presence of EDTA compared to native enzyme. The apparent T(m) shifted from a control value of 57 ± 1 to 76 ± 1 °C in the presence of EDTA (5 mM). The above results suggested that the enhanced activity in the presence of EDTA is due to an increase in the K(cat) and flexible conformation of the enzyme. The stability of endoglucanase increased in the presence of EDTA.

Characterization of functional intermediates of endoglucanase from Aspergillus aculeatus during urea and guanidine hydrochloride unfolding.

Low concentrations of urea and GuHCl (2 M) enhanced the activity of endoglucanase (EC 3.1.2.4) from Aspergillus aculeatus by 2.3- and 1.9-fold, respectively. The K(m) values for controls, in the presence of 2 M urea and GuHCl, were found to be 2.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) mol L(-1), 1.4 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) mol L(-1), and 1.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) mol L(-1), respectively. The dissociation constant (Kd) showed changes in the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate with increases in the Kcat suggesting an increased turnover number in the presence of urea and GuHCl. Fluorescence studies showed changes in the microenvironment of the protein. The increase in the activity of this intermediate state was due to conformational changes accompanied by increased flexibility at the active site.

Effect of cosolvents on the structural stability of endoglucanase from Aspergillus aculeatus.

The effects of cosolvents such as sucrose, glycerol, and sorbitol on endoglucanase have been studied by activity, circular dichroic spectroscopy, fluorescence, and apparent thermal transition temperature measurements. The endoglucanase activity increased by 4-fold at 40% cosolvent concentration under optimum conditions. The endoglucanase lost 50% of its activity when exposed to 90 degrees C for more than 30 min (1 h). In the presence of cosolvents, it maintained its original activity and native conformation as indicated by far UV-CD at 70 degrees C. The app T(m) increased from a control value of 57 degrees C to a value of 66 degrees C in the presence of 40% sucrose. The partial specific volume of endoglucanase was 0.723 mL/g in sodium acetate buffer. The preferential interaction parameters were negative in all cosolvents, and the maximum hydration of the protein was observed in 40% glycerol where the preferential interaction parameter was -0.126 g/g. The thermal stability of endoglucanase increased in the presence of cosolvents.