Hypoglycemic mechanism of a novel proteoglycan, extracted from Ganoderma lucidum, in hepatocytes.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B) is one of main causes involved in type 2 diabetes, it dephosphorylates insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and dysregulates insulin signaling pathway, thus inducing insulin resistance. Our previous work first reported that FYGL, a neutral hyperbranched proteoglycan ingredient extracted from Ganoderma lucidum, has hypoglycemic activity in vivo and inhibitory potency on PTP1B in vitro, but the underlying mechanism was still unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate effects of FYGL on insulin signaling pathway involved with PTP1B as the targeting point in hepatocytes. We found that FYGL inhibited overexpression of PTP1B in liver tissues of ob/ob mice and HepG2 cells, significantly improved the phosphorylation of IRS1 on tyrosine residues, activated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) cascades and increased phosphorylation of glycogen synthesis kinase-3ß (GSK3ß), finally enhanced insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in HepG2 cells and decreased blood glucose in insulin resistance model mice. Our study clearly illustrated the hypoglycemic mechanism of a novel proteoglycan possibly used in type 2 diabetes management in vivo.

Metal chelator EGCG attenuates Fe(III)-induced conformational transition of α-synuclein and protects AS-PC12 cells against Fe(III)-induced death.

The fibrillation and aggregation of α-synuclein (AS), along with the conformational transition from random coil to ß-sheet, are the critical steps in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is acknowledged that iron accumulation in the brain may lead to the fibrillation of AS. However, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, chelate metal ions, and inhibit the fibrillation of amyloid proteins. Therefore, EGCG is warranted to be investigated for its potential to cure amyloid-related diseases. In the present work, we sought to study the effects of EGCG on Fe(III)-induced fibrillation of AS on both molecular and cellular levels. We demonstrate that Fe(III) interacts with the amino residue of Tyr and Ala of AS, then accelerates the fibrillation of AS, and increases intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the AS transduced-PC12 cells (AS-PC12 cells). However, EGCG significantly inhibits this process by chelating Fe(III) and protects AS-PC12 cells against the toxicity induced by ROS and ß-sheet-enriched AS fibrils. These findings yield useful information that EGCG might be a promising drug to prevent and treat the neurodegenerative diseases.

Inhibitory Mechanism of Epigallocatechin Gallate on Fibrillation and Aggregation of Amidated Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide.

The abnormal fibrillation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is associated with development of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can bind amyloid proteins to inhibit the fibrillation of these proteins. However, the mechanic detail of EGCG inhibiting amyloid formation is still unclear at the molecular level. In the present work, we sought to investigate the effect of EGCG on amidated hIAPP (hIAPP-NH2 ) fibrillation and aggregation by using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, and also sought to gain insights into the interaction of EGCG and hIAPP22-27 by using spectroscopic experiments and quantum chemical calculations. ThT fluorescence, real-time NMR, and TEM studies demonstrated that EGCG inhibits the formation of hIAPP-NH2 fibrils, while promoting the formation of hIAPP-NH2 amorphous aggregates. Phenylalanine intrinsic fluorescence and NMR studies of the EGCG/hIAPP22-27 complex revealed three important binding sites including the A ring of EGCG, residue Phe23, and residue Ile26. DFT calculations identified the dominant binding structures of EGCG/Phe23 and EGCG/Ile26 complexes, named structure I and structure II, respectively. Our study demonstrates the inhibitory mechanism of EGCG on fibrillation and aggregation of hIAPP-NH2 in which EGCG interacts with hIAPP-NH2 through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions between the A ring and residue Phe23 as well as hydrophobic interactions between the A ring and residue Ile26, which can thus inhibit the interpeptide interaction between hIAPP-NH2 monomers and finally inhibit fibrillation of hIAPP-NH2 . This study agrees with and reinforces previous studies and offers an intuitive explanation at both the atomic and molecular levels. Our findings may provide an invaluable reference for the future development of new drugs in the management of diabetes.

In situ microscopic studies on the structures and phase behaviors of SF/PEG films using solid-state NMR and Raman imaging.

In order to overcome the drawbacks of silk fibroin (SF)-based materials, SF has been blended with some polymers. Before using the blend material, understanding of the structures and phase behaviors of the blend is thought to be essential. In this study, solid-state (13)C CP-MAS NMR and Raman imaging techniques were used to study the structures and phase behaviors of blends of SF with polyethylene glycol (PEG) at a molecular weight that varied from 2 to 20 kDa and a blend ratio of SF/PEG from 95/5 to 70/30 (w/w%) at the molecular and microscopic levels. It is found that the conformational transition of SF to the ß-sheet increased as the PEG content increased, while the amount of the formed ß-sheet conformers was decreased as the PEG molecular weight increased for a given content. It is also observed that SF was incompatible with PEG to some extent. The phase separation into "sea" and "island" domains took place in the SF/PEG blend films. SF was dominantly present in the "sea" domain, while PEG in the "island" domains. The conformation of SF in the interface between SF and PEG was changed to the ß-sheet, while that in the protein-rich domain remained in the random coil and/or helix conformation. These observations suggest that the specifically expected materials, for example, the silk-based microspheres or scaffold materials can be manufactured by controlling the molecular weight and content of PEG in the blend system.

Influence of Aluminium and EGCG on Fibrillation and Aggregation of Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide.

The abnormal fibrillation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) has been implicated in the development of type II diabetes. Aluminum is known to trigger the structural transformation of many amyloid proteins and induce the formation of toxic aggregate species. The (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is considered capable of binding both metal ions and amyloid proteins with inhibitory effect on the fibrillation of amyloid proteins. However, the effect of Al(III)/EGCG complex on hIAPP fibrillation is unclear. In the present work, we sought to view insight into the structures and properties of Al(III) and EGCG complex by using spectroscopic experiments and quantum chemical calculations and also investigated the influence of Al(III) and EGCG on hIAPP fibrillation and aggregation as well as their combined interference on this process. Our studies demonstrated that Al(III) could promote fibrillation and aggregation of hIAPP, while EGCG could inhibit the fibrillation of hIAPP and lead to the formation of hIAPP amorphous aggregates instead of the ordered fibrils. Furthermore, we proved that the Al(III)/EGCG complex in molar ratio of 1 : 1 as Al(EGCG)(H2O)2 could inhibit the hIAPP fibrillation more effectively than EGCG alone. The results provide the invaluable reference for the new drug development to treat type II diabetes.

Effect of EGCG On Fe(III)-induced conformational transition of silk fibroin, a model of protein related to neurodegenerative diseases.

The abnormal aggregation of amyloid proteins is reported to play a critical role in the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Studies have shown that excessive ferric irons are associated with the misfolding of amyloid proteins, and that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a good metallic ion chelator with inhibitory effect on the aggregation of amyloid proteins. EGCG has been thus considered as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism of action for EGCG in inhibition of aggregation of amyloid proteins is still remaining unclear. Silk fibroin (SF) shares similarities with amyloid proteins in some amino acid sequences and fibrillation kinetics. In this work, therefore, we used SF as a model of protein to investigate the effects of Fe(III) and EGCG on conformational transition by using turbidity assay, thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscope (AFM). We demonstrated that low concentration of Fe(III) ions promoted the formation of ß-sheet conformers, while high concentration of Fe(III) ions inhibited further aggregation of SF. EGCG could significantly inhibit the conformational transition of SF when induced by Fe(III), and decrease the amount of ß-sheet conformers dose-dependently. The findings provide important information regarding to EGCG as a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Fe(III) can accelerate the conformation transition of silk fibrion (SF) from random coil into ß-sheet, while (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits Fe(III)-induced ß-sheet aggregation of SF., 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 100-107, 2016.

Isolation and characterization of a hyperbranched proteoglycan from Ganoderma lucidum for anti-diabetes.

Presently, an efficient protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitor, named FYGL-n, was isolated from Ganoderma Lucidum and characterized for its structure and bioactivity. Structure and chain conformation of FYGL-n based on both chemical and spectroscopic analysis showed that FYGL-n was a hyperbranched heteropolysaccharide bonded with protein via both serine and threonine residues by O-type glycoside, and showed a sphere observed by AFM. Specifically, monosaccharide composition indicated that FYGL-n consisted of D-arabinose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose and D-glucose in a mole ratio of 0.08:0.21:0.24:0.47, with a molecular mass of 72.9 kDa. The analysis of amino acids in FYGL-n indicated that there were 16 common amino acids, among which aspartic acid, glycine, serine, alanine, glutamic acid and threonine were the dominant components. Also it was demonstrated that FYGL-n could inhibit the PTP1B activity on a competitive mechanism in vitro.

A novel proteoglycan from Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies protects kidney function and ameliorates diabetic nephropathy via its antioxidant activity in C57BL/6 db/db mice.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major cause of morbidity among diabetic patients. Thus, antidiabetic drugs with protection potential in the kidneys would have a higher therapeutic value. The effects of a novel proteoglycan, named FYGL, isolated from G. lucidum fruiting bodies, on the kidney function were investigated systematically in present work. FYGL (250 mg/kg) not only dosedependently reduced the blood glucose concentration (23.5%, p<0.05), kidney/body weight ratio (23.6%, p<0.01), serum creatinine (33.1%, p<0.01), urea nitrogen (24.1%, p<0.01),urea acid contents (35.9%, p<0.01) and albuminuria (30.7%, p<0.01)of DN mice compared to the untreated DN mice but also increased the renal superoxide dismutase (75.3%, p<0.01), glutathione peroxidase (35.0%, p<0.01) and catalase activities (58.5%, p<0.01) compared to the untreated DN mice. The decreasing of renal malondialdehyde content (34.3%, p<0.01) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine expression (2.5-fold, p<0.01) were also observed in FYGL-treated DN mice compared to the untreated DN mice, along with an amelioration of renal morphologic abnormalities. We conclude that FYGL confers protection against the renal functional and morphologic injuries by increasing activities of antioxidants and inhibiting accumulation of oxidation, suggesting a potential nutritional supplement for the prevention and therapy of DN.

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of a novel proteoglycan from ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies on db/db mice and the possible mechanism.

Previously, we screened a proteoglycan for anti-hyperglycemic, named FYGL, from Ganoderma Lucidum. For further research of the antidiabetic mechanisms of FYGL in vivo, the glucose homeostasis, activities of insulin-sensitive enzymes, glucose transporter expression and pancreatic function were analyzed using db/db mice as diabetic models in the present work. FYGL not only lead to a reduction in glycated hemoglobin level, but also an increase in insulin and C-peptide level, whereas a decrease in glucagons level and showed a potential for the remediation of pancreatic islets. FYGL also increased the glucokinase activities, and simultaneously lowered the phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase activities, accompanied by a reduction in the expression of hepatic glucose transporter protein 2, while the expression of adipose and skeletal glucose transporter protein 4 was increased. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme activities were also increased by FYGL treatment. Thus, FYGL was an effective antidiabetic agent by enhancing insulin secretion and decreasing hepatic glucose output along with increase of adipose and skeletal muscle glucose disposal in the late stage of diabetes. Furthermore, FYGL is beneficial against oxidative stress, thereby being helpful in preventing the diabetic complications.

Structure characterization of a novel neutral polysaccharide isolated from Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies.

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a mushroom which has been used for health promotion for a long time in China. In the present work a neutral hetero-polysaccharide, named FYGL-1, was isolated from FYGL which was reported previously capable of antihyperglycemia in vivo for further detailed chemical structure investigation. The results of monosaccharide composition and GPC analysis indicated that FYGL-1 consisted of galactose, rhamnose and glucose in mole ratio of 1.00:1.15:3.22 with a molecular weight of 78kDa. The detailed structure of FYGL-1 was characterized by periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation analysis, along with FT-IR, GC, GC-MS, 1D (1)H and (13)C NMR and 2D NMR (HSQC, COSY, NOESY and TOCSY). Based on the analysis of the results, the structure of the repeating unit of FYGL-1 was established as: