Amyloid Precursor Protein and Tau Peptides Linked Together Ameliorate Loss of Cognition in an Alzheimer's Disease Animal Model.

The major proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Tau. We demonstrate that APP1 (390-412) and Tau1 (19-34), linked together with either a flexible or a rigid peptide bridge, are able to inhibit, in vitro, the interaction between APP and Tau proteins. Furthermore, nasal administration of biotin-labelled Flex peptide for two weeks indicated the localization of the peptide around and close to plaques in the hippocampus area. In vivo studies in 5xFAD transgenic (Tg) mice, which exhibit plaque load and mild cognitive decline at four months of age, show that nasal administration of the flexible linked peptide reduced amyloid plaque burden. Additionally, nasal treatment with either flexible or rigid linked peptides prevented cognitive function deterioration. A significant treatment effect was achieved when either treatment was initiated at the age of three months, before severe cognitive deficiency is evident, or at five months, when such deficiency is already observed. The nasally treated mice demonstrated a cognitive ability not significantly different from the non-Tg littermate controls. Testing the effect of the flexible peptide by gavage feeding on the cognitive function of 5xFAD Tg mice demonstrated that feeding as well as nasal treatment significantly improves the cognitive ability of Tg mice compared to control PBS-treated mice.

Peptide Interference with APP and Tau Association: Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease Amelioration.

The two major proteins involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Tau. Here, we demonstrate that these two proteins can bind to each other. Four possible peptides APP1 (390-412), APP2 (713-730), Tau1 (19-34) and Tau2 (331-348), were predicted to be involved in this interaction, with actual binding confirmed for APP1 and Tau1. In vivo studies were performed in an Alzheimer Disease animal model-APP double transgenic (Tg) 5xFAD-as well as in 5xFAD crossed with Tau transgenic 5xFADXTau (FT), which exhibit declined cognitive reduction at four months of age. Nasal administration of APP1 and Tau1 mixture, three times a week for four or five months, reduced amyloid plaque burden as well as the level of soluble Aß 1-42 in the brain. The treatment prevented the deterioration of cognitive functions when initiated at the age of three months, before cognitive deficiency was evident, and also at the age of six months, when such deficiencies are already observed, leading to a full regain of cognitive function.

Epitope identification of specific naturally occurring human anti-avidin antibodies.

Human serum contains natural antibodies against avidin. Affinity purified natural anti-avidin human IgG exhibits affinity constants comparable to those of antibodies produced by active immunization of rabbits. Using a random hexapeptide library displayed on the filamentous M13 phage, and rabbit anti-avidin purified antibodies as a selector, we searched for epitopes shared by both selector and natural human anti-avidin IgG. This approach, enabled the isolation and identification of phagotopes bearing consensus motifs similar to sequence stretches of the avidin loops and ß-sheet regions. These phagotopes were recognized by the natural human anti-avidin antibodies. The fact that natural anti-avidin antibodies in human serum have similar epitopes to those of IgG elicited by active immunization of animals, led us to suggest that small peptide epitopes may prevent deleterious effects caused by antibodies formed against food proteins as well as therapeutic proteins.

A sensitive colorimetric determination of cyanuric chloride and its activated agarose immobilization resins.

A colorimetric method for determining cyanuric chloride (CC) and for monitoring its polysaccharide gel activation, before and after ligand binding, was developed. The method is based on the reaction of CC or its activated gel with pyridine and barbituric acid or dimethylbarbituric acid. The product formed yields a purple red color with λ max at 595 nm, and an EM value of approximately 300,000 after 1 h at room temperature. Due to its high sensitivity, this method can detect traces of CC (1 µM) under the above conditions. The method is fast, reliable and devoid of any side reactions.

Mussel-inspired new approach for polymerization and cross-linking of peptides and proteins containing tyrosines by Fremy's salt oxidation.

Our objective was to develop a method mimicking the natural process of coherence in marine mollusks, by direct chemical conversion of protein tyrosine residues to DOPA-o-quinones, which consequently generates polymerization and cross-linking. Fremy's salt, (ON(SO3K)2, was used to convert tyrosine residues in peptides and proteins to reactive o-quinones. The conversion of tyrosines to DOPA-o-quinones, and their ability to polymerize or cross-link, was tested on tyramine, peptides, and proteins. The peptides tested were as follows: biotin-PEG4-tyramine (PEG-BT), and two decapeptides (identical to the repeating units comprising the mussel's adhesive protein). The proteins tested were as follows: bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase), lysozyme, IgG, avidin, and streptavidin. The oxidized peptides and proteins were all shown to incorporate oxygen atoms and undergo polymerization and cross-linking, depending on the availability of nucleophiles, mostly lysine amino groups of proteins. All the peptides and the noninteracting proteins such as RNase and lysozyme underwent homopolymerization upon Fremy's salt oxidation. When Fremy's salt oxidaized PEG-BT was mixed with the above proteins, it did not react with any of these proteins because PEG-BT underwent fast self-polymerization. Conversely, streptavidin or avidin cross-linked with PEG-BT after preincubation, thus showing that biorecognition is a prerequisite for cross-linking. Polymerization and cross-linking also occurred, following Fremy's salt oxidation of interacting proteins such as avidin and strepavidin with biotinyilated lysozyme or biotinylated RNase. This indicates that only proteins in very close proximity readily cross-link and polymerize via tyrosine residues. Attempts to convert DOPA-quinone to DOPA by reduction with sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4), was successful as far as small peptides were used. Fremy's salt oxidation can serve as an easy and useful tool to polymerize and cross-link proteins, for fabrication of biomaterials and to study protein-protein interactions.

S-allyl derivatives of 6-mercaptopurine are highly potent drugs against human B-CLL through synergism between 6-mercaptopurine and allicin.

S-allylthio-6-mercaptopurine and its ribose derivative were tested for anti-leukemic activity, using a human- mouse B-CLL model. The novel prodrugs contain two components, a purine analog, which interferes with DNA synthesis, and an S-allylthio, readily engaging in thiol-disulfide exchange reactions. The latter component targets the redox homeostasis which is more sensitive in leukemic cells, than in normal B-cells. Upon administration, the prodrug permeates cells, instantly reacts with free thiol, forming S-allyl mixed disulfides and releasing purine. Several cycles of thiol-disulfide exchange reactions occur, thus extending the duration of the prodrug effects. The concerted action of 2 components, as compared with purine alone, boosted in vitro apoptotis in B-CLL cells from 10% to 38%, and decreased in vivo engraftment of B-CLL from 30% to 0.7%.

Reaction mechanisms of allicin and allyl-mixed disulfides with proteins and small thiol molecules.

Allylsulfides from garlic are chemopreventive agents. Entering cells they are expected to initially interact with glutathione. Accordingly, reaction mechanisms of the product, S-allylthio-glutathione, with model proteins and thiols were analyzed in cell free systems. With glutathionyl, cysteinyl or captopril representing S-allyl aliphatic adducts, the reaction with sulfhydryl groups resulted in mixed disulfide mixtures, formed by both, S-allyl and aliphatic moieties. To improve conventional prodrug treatment of blood pressure, cancer and intestinal inflammation S-allylthio prodrugs, such as S-allylthio-6-mercaptopurine and S-allylthio-captopril were synthesized. Synergistic activities of the 2 constituents, as well as increased cell permeability allow for efficient in vivo activity. Upon reaction of these derivatives with glutathione, S-allylthio-glutathione is formed, while 6-mercaptopurine is the leaving group. Excess cellular glutathione enables several cycles of sulfhydryl-disulfide exchange reactions to occur, extending the hybrid drug's pharmacodynamics.

Thiol-disulfide organization in alliin lyase (alliinase) from garlic (Allium sativum).

Alliinase, an enzyme found in garlic, catalyzes the synthesis of the well-known chemically and therapeutically active compound allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate). The enzyme is a homodimeric glycoprotein that belongs to the fold-type I family of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes. There are 10 cysteine residues per alliinase monomer, eight of which form four disulfide bridges and two are free thiols. Cys368 and Cys376 form a S--S bridge located near the C-terminal and plays an important role in maintaining both the rigidity of the catalytic domain and the substrate-cofactor relative orientation. We demonstrated here that the chemical modification of allinase with the colored --SH reagent N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl) maleimide yielded chromophore-bearing peptides and showed that the Cys220 and Cys350 thiol groups are accesible in solution. Moreover, electron paramagnetic resonance kinetic measurements using disulfide containing a stable nitroxyl biradical showed that the accessibilities of the two --SH groups in Cys220 and Cys350 differ. Neither enzyme activity nor protein structure (measured by circular dichroism) were affected by the chemical modification of the free thiols, indicating that alliinase activity does not require free --SH groups. This allowed the oriented conjugation of alliinase, via the --SH groups, with low- or high-molecular-weight molecules as we showed here. Modification of the alliinase thiols with biotin and their subsequent binding to immobilized streptavidin enabled the efficient enzymatic production of allicin.

Crystal structure of rhizavidin: insights into the enigmatic high-affinity interaction of an innate biotin-binding protein dimer.

Rhizavidin, from the proteobacterium Rhizobium etli, exhibits high affinity towards biotin but maintains an inherent dimeric quaternary structure and thus, differs from all other known tetrameric avidins. Rhizavidin also differs from the other avidins, since it lacks the characteristic tryptophan residue positioned in the L7,8 loop that plays a crucial role in high-affinity binding and oligomeric stability of the tetrameric avidins. The question is, therefore, how does the dimer exist and how is the high biotin-binding affinity retained? For this purpose, the crystal structures of apo- and biotin-complexed rhizavidin were determined. The structures reveal that the rhizavidin monomer exhibits a topology similar to those of other members of the avidin family, that is, eight antiparallel beta-strands that form the conventional avidin beta-barrel. The quaternary structure comprises the sandwich-like dimer, in which the extensive 1-4 intermonomer interface is intact, but the 1-2 and 1-3 interfaces are nonexistent. Consequently, the biotin-binding site is partially accessible, due to the lack of the tryptophan "lid" that distinguishes the tetrameric structures. In rhizavidin, a disulfide bridge connecting the L3,4 and L5,6 loops restrains the L3,4 loop conformation, leaving the binding-site residues essentially unchanged upon biotin binding. Our study suggests that in addition to the characteristic hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, the preformed architecture of the binding site and consequent shape complementarity play a decisive role in the high-affinity biotin binding of rhizavidin. The structural description of a novel dimeric avidin-like molecule will greatly contribute to the design of improved and unique avidin derivatives for diversifying the capabilities of avidin-biotin technology.

Allicin up-regulates cellular glutathione level in vascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Allicin in garlic is the primary active compound known to rapidly interact with free thiols. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To examine the effect of allicin on gene expression and glutathione cellular level in vascular endothelial cells. METHODS: Cultured endothelial cells were exposed to allicin; mRNA was prepared and subjected to Micro-array and Real-Time PCR. Glutathione cellular level was determined on cell lysates. RESULTS: Micro-array analysis demonstrated allicin-induced up- and down-regulation of 116 and 100 genes, respectively. Up-regulated genes included the phase II detoxifying enzymes thioredoxin reductase 1 and 2, heme oxygenase-1 and glutamate cysteine lygaze modifier subunit, the rate limiting enzyme in glutathione biosynthesis. Endothelial cells exposed to allicin and its derivatives containing glutathione or cysteine residues increased cellular glutathione. Allicin increased the glutathione level in a concentration and time-dependent manner up to 8-fold at a concentration of 10-20 microM after 28 h exposure. Furthermore, allicin derivative-treated cultures demonstrated a 50% decrease in tBuOOH cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: These results may suggest a putative role for allicin and its derivatives in preventing reactive oxygen species damage by up-regulating the phase II detoxifying enzymes and increasing the cellular glutathione level.

Critical importance of loop conformation to avidin-enhanced hydrolysis of an active biotin ester.

The homotetrameric and biotin-binding properties of avidin and streptavidin have been exploited for a myriad of biotechnological applications and theoretical studies. Among the few differences between the two proteins is the capacity of avidin to hydrolyze biotinyl p-nitrophenyl ester (BNP), as opposed to streptavidin, which fully protects the same pseudosubstrate from hydrolysis. Combined mutagenesis and X-ray analysis have been used to attempt to understand this diametric difference in activities. It was found that a charged residue and one of the loops (L3,4) are together responsible for this difference. Recently, the avidin-related analogue AVR4 was found to have an even more pronounced BNP-hydrolysis activity than avidin. Again, the combination of charged residue(s) (Asp39 and/or Arg112) and the rigid conformation of the L3,4 loop was suggested to be responsible for the observed hydrolysis reaction. However, replacement of the latter charged residues in AVR4 resulted in only a modest reduction in hydrolytic activity at most, whereas replacement of the L3,4 loop of avidin with the rigid loop of AVR4 caused a dramatic increase in the activity of avidin. These results clearly demonstrate that the main feature responsible for the observed differences in rates of hydrolysis among the avidins is the conformational status of the L3,4 loop, which imposes conformational constraints on the pseudosubstrate, thereby rendering it susceptible to nucleophilic attack by solvent. In this context, the hydrolytic properties of the avidins reflect enzyme catalysis, in that subtleties in substrate binding are the determining features of catalytic efficiency.

Allicin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway in HL60 and U937 cells.

In this article, the effects of allicin, a biological active compound of garlic, on HL60 and U937 cell lines were examined. Allicin induced growth inhibition and elicited apoptotic events such as blebbing, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment of HL60 cells with cyclosporine A, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), inhibited allicin-treated cell death. HL60 cell survival after 1 h pretreatment with cyclosporine A, followed by 16 h in presence of allicin (5 microM) was approximately 80% compared to allicin treatment alone (approximately 50%). Also N-acetyl cysteine, a reduced glutathione (GSH) precursor, prevented cell death. The effects of cyclosporine A and N-acetyl cysteine suggest the involvement of mPTP and intracellular GSH level in the cytotoxicity. Indeed, allicin depleted GSH in the cytosol and mitochondria, and buthionine sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis, significantly augmented allicin-induced apoptosis. In HL60 cells treated with allicin (5 microM, 30 min) the redox state for 2GSH/oxidized glutathione shifted from EGSH -240 to -170 mV. The same shift was observed in U937 cells treated with allicin at a higher concentration for a longer period of incubation (20 microM, 2 h). The apoptotic events induced by various concentrations of allicin correlate to intracellular GSH levels in the two cell types tested (HL60: 3.7 nmol/10(6) cells; U937: 7.7 nmol/10(6) cells). The emerging mechanistic basis for the antiproliferative function of allicin, therefore, involves the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by GSH depletion and by changes in the intracellular redox status.

Two structures of alliinase from Alliium sativum L.: apo form and ternary complex with aminoacrylate reaction intermediate covalently bound to the PLP cofactor.

Alliinase (alliin lyase EC 4.4.1.4), a PLP-dependent alpha, beta-eliminating lyase, constitutes one of the major protein components of garlic (Alliium sativum L.) bulbs. The enzyme is a homodimeric glycoprotein and catalyzes the conversion of a specific non-protein sulfur-containing amino acid alliin ((+S)-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide) to allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate, the well known biologically active component of freshly crushed garlic), pyruvate and ammonia. The enzyme was crystallized in the presence of (+S)-allyl-L-cysteine, forming dendrite-like monoclinic crystals. In addition, intentionally produced apo-enzyme was crystallized in tetragonal form. These structures of alliinase with associated glycans were resolved to 1.4 A and 1.61 A by molecular replacement. Branched hexasaccharide chains N-linked to Asn146 and trisaccharide chains N-linked to Asn328 are seen. The structure of hexasaccharide was found similar to "short chain complex vacuole type" oligosaccharide most commonly seen in plant glycoproteins. An unexpected state of the enzyme active site has been observed in the present structure. The electron density in the region of the cofactor made it possible to identify the cofactor moiety as aminoacrylate intermediate covalently bound to the PLP cofactor. It was found in the present structure to be stabilized by large number of interactions with surrounding protein residues. Moreover, the existence of the expected internal aldimine bond between the epsilon-amino group of Lys251 and the aldehyde of the PLP is ruled out on the basis of a distinct separation of electron density of Lys251. The structure of the active site cavity in the apo-form is nearly identical to that seen in the holo-form, with two sulfate ions, an acetate and several water molecules from crystallization conditions that replace and mimic the PLP cofactor.

Factors dictating the pseudocatalytic efficiency of avidins.

The hydrolysis of biotinyl p-nitrophenyl ester (BNP) by a series of avidin derivatives was examined. Surprisingly, a hyperthermostable avidin-related protein (AVR4) was shown to display extraordinary yet puzzling hydrolytic activity. In order to evaluate the molecular determinants that contribute to the reaction, the crystal structure of AVR4 was compared with those of avidin, streptavidin and key mutants of the two proteins in complex with biotinyl p-nitroanilide (BNA), the inert amide analogue of BNP. The structures revealed that a critical lysine residue contributes to the hydrolysis of BNP by avidin but has only a minor contribution to the AVR4-mediated reaction. Indeed, the respective rates of hydrolysis among the different avidins reflect several molecular parameters, including binding-site architecture, the availability of the ligand to solvent and the conformation of the ligand and consequent susceptibility to efficient nucleophilic attack. In avidin, the interaction of BNP with Lys111 and disorder of the L3,4 loop (and consequent solvent availability) together comprise the major driving force behind the hydrolysis, whereas in AVR4 the status of the ligand (the pseudo-substrate) is a major distinguishing feature. In the latter protein, a unique conformation of the L3,4 loop restrains the pseudo-substrate, thereby exposing the carbonyl carbon atom to nucleophilic attack. In addition, due to its conformation, the pseudo-substrate in the AVR4 complex cannot interact with the conserved lysine analogue (Lys109); instead, this function is superseded by polar interactions with Arg112. The results demonstrate that, in highly similar proteins, different residues can perform the same function and that subtle differences in the active-site architecture of such proteins can result in alternative modes of reaction.

Essentials of biorecognition: the (strept)avidin-biotin system as a model for protein-protein and protein-ligand interaction.

Molecular recognition or biorecognition is as the heart of all biological interactions. These interactions are characterized by a collection of noncovalent bonds, namely ionic, hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic interactions. In addition, shape complementarity appears to play a pivotal role in the process of biorecognition. In this review, we examine the versatile avidin-biotin complex as a model system for study of the biorecognition phenomenon with respect to protein-protein, protein-peptide, protein-ligand and protein-DNA interactions.

The effects of S-allylmercaptocaptopril, the synthetic product of allicin and captopril, on cardiovascular risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Pure allicin, prepared biosynthetically by reacting synthetic alliin with an immobilized alliinase enzyme, is known to possess cardioprotective effects. However, in its pure form, allicin is pharmacologically unstable. S-allylmercaptocaptopril (CPSSA) is a new stable synthetic compound produced by chemical reaction between allicin and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Using the fructose-induced metabolic syndrome rat model we studied the effects of short-term treatment with two doses of CPSSA on cardiovascular risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome, in comparison to the effects of allicin and captopril separately. Allicin (8 mg/(kg day)) significantly reduced insulin, triglycerides, and homocysteine concentrations, and had a slight effect on SBP. Captopril (50mg/(kg day)) only improved blood pressure and homocysteine. Treatment with low dose of CPSSA (5mg/(kg day)) lowered SBP but did not improve any other measured parameter, while treatment with a higher dose (50mg/(kg day)) significantly decreased blood pressure, triglycerides, and homocysteine concentrations. We conclude that the combined molecule CPSSA integrates the anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, and homocysteine-reducing effects of both allicin and captopril, making it a potential cardiovascular protective agent.

High-resolution crystal structure of an avidin-related protein: insight into high-affinity biotin binding and protein stability.

The chicken avidin gene belongs to an extended gene family encoding seven avidin-related genes (AVRs), of which only avidin is expressed in the chicken. The sequences of AVR4 and AVR5 are identical and the common protein (AVR4) has been expressed both in insect and bacterial systems. The recombinant proteins are similarly hyperthermostable and bind biotin with similarly high affinities. AVR4 was crystallized in the apo and biotin-complexed forms and their structures were determined at high resolution. Its tertiary and quaternary structures are very similar to those of avidin and streptavidin. Its biotin-binding site shows only a few alterations compared with those of avidin and streptavidin, which account for the observed differences in binding affinities. The increased hyperthermostability can be attributed to the conformation of the critical L3,4 loop and the extensive network of 1-3 inter-monomeric interactions. The loop contains a tandem Pro-Gly sequence and an Asp-Arg ion pair that collectively induce rigidity, thus maintaining its closed and ordered conformation in both the apo and biotin-complexed forms. In addition, Tyr115 is present on the AVR4 1-3 monomer-monomer interface, which is absent in avidin and streptavidin. The interface tyrosine generates inter-monomeric interactions, i.e. a tyrosine-tyrosine pi-pi interaction and a hydrogen bond with Lys92. The resultant network of interactions confers a larger 1-3 dimer-dimer contact surface on AVR4, which correlates nicely with its higher thermostability compared with avidin and streptavidin. Several of the proposed thermostability-determining factors were found to play a role in strengthening the tertiary and quaternary integrity of AVR4.

Apoptotic killing of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia tumor cells by allicin generated in situ using a rituximab-alliinase conjugate.

Allicin, a highly active component from freshly crushed garlic, is produced upon the reaction of the small molecular weight molecule alliin, with the enzyme alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4). Because allicin was shown to be toxic to various mammalian cells in vitro, we devised a novel approach for the therapy of B-cell malignancies based on site-directed generation of allicin. Alliinase was conjugated to the monoclonal antibody rituximab, which recognizes the CD20 antigen, and the resulting conjugate was targeted to CD20+ B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and other B-cell lymphomas. Upon addition of alliin, allicin was formed in situ, killing the CD20+ tumor B cells via apoptosis. Following a 72-hour treatment, an 85% and 96% reduction was observed in the number of viable B-CLL and EBV-transformed B cells, respectively. Using the human/mouse radiation chimera for the evaluation of allicin targeting in a preclinical animal model, we showed a significant reduction in the number of recovered B-CLL, mantle cell lymphoma, or EBV-transformed B cells. We conclude that our system offers a new powerful and less toxic therapy for B-CLL and other B-cell malignancies. Furthermore, combining alliinase with the appropriate monoclonal antibody may extend the application of this approach to other conditions in which the elimination of a specific cell population is desired.

The antiatherogenic effect of allicin: possible mode of action.

OBJECTIVE: Garlic (Allium sativum) has been suggested to affect several cardiovascular risk factors. Its antiatherosclerotic properties are mainly attributed to allicin that is produced upon crushing of the garlic clove. Most previous studies used various garlic preparations in which allicin levels were not well defined. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of pure allicin on atherogenesis in experimental mouse models. METHODS AND RESULTS: Daily dietary supplement of allicin, 9 mg/kg body weight, reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area by 68.9 and 56.8% in apolipoprotein E-deficient and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice, respectively, as compared with control mice. LDL isolated from allicin-treated groups was more resistant to CuSO(4)-induced oxidation ex vivo than LDL isolated from control mice. Incubation of mouse plasma with (3)H-labeled allicin showed binding of allicin to lipoproteins. By using electron spin resonance, we demonstrated reduced Cu(2+) binding to LDL following allicin treatment. LDL treatment with allicin significantly inhibited both native LDL and oxidized LDL degradation by isolated mouse macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: By using a pure allicin preparation, we were able to show that allicin may affect atherosclerosis not only by acting as an antioxidant, but also by other mechanisms, such as lipoprotein modification and inhibition of LDL uptake and degradation by macrophages.