Addition of milk fat globule membrane-enriched supplement to a high-fat meal attenuates insulin secretion and induction of soluble epoxide hydrolase gene expression in the postprandial state in overweight and obese subjects.

CVD and associated metabolic diseases are linked to chronic inflammation, which can be modified by diet. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is a difference in inflammatory markers, blood metabolic and lipid panels and lymphocyte gene expression in response to a high-fat dairy food challenge with or without milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Participants consumed a dairy product-based meal containing whipping cream (WC) high in saturated fat with or without the addition of MFGM, following a 12 h fasting blood draw. Inflammatory markers including IL-6 and C-reactive protein, lipid and metabolic panels and lymphocyte gene expression fold changes were measured using multiplex assays, clinical laboratory services and TaqMan real-time RT-PCR, respectively. Fold changes in gene expression were determined using the Pfaffl method. Response variables were converted into incremental AUC, tested for differences, and corrected for multiple comparisons. The postprandial insulin response was significantly lower following the meal containing MFGM (P < 0·01). The gene encoding soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2) was shown to be more up-regulated in the absence of MFGM (P = 0·009). Secondary analyses showed that participants with higher baseline cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio (Chol:HDL) had a greater reduction in gene expression of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and lymphotoxin ß receptor (LTBR) with the WC+MFGM meal. The protein and lipid composition of MFGM is thought to be anti-inflammatory. These exploratory analyses suggest that addition of MFGM to a high-saturated fat meal modifies postprandial insulin response and offers a protective role for those individuals with higher baseline Chol:HDL.

High-throughput method for ranking the affinity of peptide ligands selected from phage display libraries.

The use of phage display peptide libraries allows rapid isolation of peptide ligands for any target selector molecule. However, due to differences in peptide expression and the heterogeneity of the phage preparations, there is no easy way to compare the binding properties of the selected clones, which operates as a major "bottleneck" of the technology. Here, we present the development of a new type of library that allows rapid comparison of the relative affinity of the selected peptides in a high-throughput screening format. As a model system, a phage display peptide library constructed on a phagemid vector that contains the bacterial alkaline phosphatase gene (BAP) was selected with an antiherbicide antibody. Due to the intrinsic switching capacity of the library, the selected peptides were transferred "en masse" from the phage coat protein to BAP. This was coupled to an optimized affinity ELISA where normalized amounts of the peptide-BAP fusion allow direct comparison of the binding properties of hundreds of peptide ligands. The system was validated by plasmon surface resonance experiments using synthetic peptides, showing that the method discriminates among the affinities of the peptides within 3 orders of magnitude. In addition, the peptide-BAP protein can find direct application as a tracer reagent.

Evaluation of the neutralizing capacity of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) antivenom against Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1928) venom (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

The two most venomous species of the family Buthidae, Leiurus quinquestriatus and Androctonus crassicauda, are found in Africa and in the Middle East. Potency and paraspecific activities of A. crassicauda antivenom (RSHC anti-Ac) were tested against L. quinquestriatus venom. The sera produced by Refik Saydam Hygiene Center (RSHC) showed strong reactivity against the venoms of A. crassicauda and L. quinquestriatus in western blotting and dot-blot analysis. RSHC anti-Ac presents immunoactivity and neutralizing potential against Leiurus quinquestriatus venom. Neutralization capacity of antivenom was found to be 400 µL against 40 minimum lethal doses (MLD) of A. crassicauda scorpion venom and 10 MLD of L. quinquestriatus venom. This study indicates that the RSHC anti-Ac could be used for treating L. quinquestriatus stings.(AU)

Phage anti-immune complex assay: general strategy for noncompetitive immunodetection of small molecules.

Due to their size, small molecules cannot be simultaneously bound by two antibodies, precluding their detection by noncompetitive two-site immunoassays, which are superior to competitive ones in terms of sensitivity, kinetics, and working range. This has prompted the development of anti-immune complex antibodies, but these are difficult to produce, and often exhibit high cross-reactivity with the unliganded primary antibody. This work demonstrates that anti-immune complex antibodies can be substituted by phage particles isolated from phage display peptide libraries. Phages bearing specific small peptide loops allowed to focus the recognition to changes in the binding area of the immune complex. The concept was tested using environmental and drug analytes; with improved sensitivity and ready adaptation into on-site formats. Peptides specific for different immune complexes can be isolated from different peptide libraries in a simple and systematic fashion allowing the rapid development of noncompetitive assays for small molecules.

In vitro expression and biochemical characterization of juvenile hormone esterase from Manduca sexta.

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is a selective enzyme that hydrolyzes the methyl ester of juvenile hormone. This enzyme plays an important role in the regulation of metamorphosis in caterpillars, and is implicated in additional roles in development and reproduction in this and other orders of insect. The full length coding region of the JHE cDNA from Manduca sexta was subcloned into the baculovirus AcMNPV genome under the control of the p10 promoter. The recombinant virus demonstrated the expression of high levels of JHE activity when infected into Hi5 cells from Trichoplusia ni. The recombinant protein was partially purified by anion exchange chromatography and its biochemical characterization showed similar features to the wild type protein. The recombinant JHE has an estimated MW of 66500 Da. Some heterogeneity with the enzyme was observed when analyzed by isoelectric focusing, although the peak of JHE activity was observed at pI=6.0. It is highly sensitive to trifluoroketone inhibitors and certain phosphoramidothiolates, while relatively insensitive to other common esterase inhibitors. Incubating the enzyme with various organic solvents and detergents showed that the enzyme is activated at lower concentrations of solvents/detergents and remains significantly active even at high concentrations. The high tolerance of organic solvents may make this JHE enzyme useful in future applications as a synthetic catalyst.

Purification of juvenile hormone esterase and molecular cloning of the cDNA from Manduca sexta.

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) is a highly specific enzyme important for regulating the onset of metamorphosis in lepidopteran insects. After affinity chromatography of the hemolymph proteins of Manduca sexta, the pure JHE protein was digested with Lys-C and the resultant peptides were purified by microbore HPLC. Two peptides were selected for sequencing. Based upon these amino acid sequences, degenerate RT-PCR was performed in order to amplify a partial cDNA sequence from mRNA from the fat body of M. sexta. A 1512bp partial cDNA was generated and found to be highly homologous to the JHE from Heliothis virescens. 5' and 3' RACE were performed to obtain the full length cDNA sequence. The cDNA has a total length of 2220bp, with a 1749bp coding region. The deduced protein sequence contains 573 amino acids.

Isolation and characterization of a novel type of neurotoxic peptide from the venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus (Buthidae).

The venom of the South African scorpion Parabuthus transvaalicus was characterized using a combination of mass spectrometry and RP-HPLC separation and bioassays. The crude venom was initially separated into 10 fractions. A novel, moderately toxic but very high abundance peptide (birtoxin) of 58 amino-acid residues was isolated, identified and characterized. Each purification step was followed by bioassays and mass spectroscopy. First a C4 RP-HPLC column was used, then a C18 RP Microbore column purification resulted in > 95% purity in the case of birtoxin from a starting material of 230 microg of crude venom. About 12-14% of the D214 absorbance of the total venom as observed after the first chromatography step was composed of birtoxin. This peptide was lethal to mice at low microgram quantities and it induced serious symptoms including tremors, which lasted up to 24 h post injection, at submicrogram amounts. At least seven other fractions that showed different activities including one fraction with specificity against blowfly larvae were identified. Identification of potent components is an important step in designing and obtaining effective anti-venom. Antibodies raised against the critical toxic components have the potential to block the toxic effects and reduce the pain associated with the scorpion envenomation. The discovery of birtoxin, a bioactive long chain neurotoxin peptide with only three disulfide bridges, offers new insight into understanding the role of conserved disulfide bridges with respect to scorpion toxin structure and function.

Cloning and characterization of an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) from Bombyx mori.

We cloned a novel inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family member, BmIAP, from Bombyx mori BmN cells. BmIAP contains two baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR) domains followed by a RING domain. BmIAP shares striking amino acid sequence similarity with lepidopteran IAPs, SfIAP and TnIAP, and with two baculoviral IAPs, CpIAP and OpIAP, suggesting evolutionary conservation. BmIAP blocks programmed cell death (apoptosis) in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-21 cells induced by p35 deficient Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). This anti-apoptotic function requires both the BIR domains and RING domain of BmIAP. In mammalian cells, BmIAP inhibits Bax induced but not Fas induced apoptosis. Further biochemical data suggest that BmIAP is a specific inhibitor of mammalian caspase-9, an initiator caspase in the mitochondria/cytochrome-c pathway, but not the downstream effector proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-7. These results suggest that suppression of apoptosis by lepidopteran IAPs in insect cells may involve inhibition of an upstream initiator caspase in the conserved mitochondria/cytochrome-c pathway for apoptosis.

Inhibition of microsomal epoxide hydrolases by ureas, amides, and amines.

The microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) plays a significant role in the metabolism of xenobiotics such as polyaromatic toxicants. Additionally, polymorphism studies have underlined a potential role of this enzyme in relation to several diseases, such as emphysema, spontaneous abortion, and several forms of cancer. To provide new tools for studying the function of mEH, inhibition of this enzyme was investigated. Inhibition of recombinant rat and human mEH was achieved using primary ureas, amides, and amines. Several of these compounds are more potent than previously published inhibitors. Elaidamide, the most potent inhibitor that is obtained, has a K(i) of 70 nM for recombinant rat mEH. This compound interacts with the enzyme forming a noncovalent complex, and blocks substrate turnover through an apparent mix of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition kinetics. Furthermore, in insect cell cultures expressing rat mEH, elaidamide enhances the toxicity effects of epoxide-containing xenobiotics. These inhibitors could be valuable tools for investigating the physiological and toxicological roles of mEH.

The role of methyl-linoleic acid epoxide and diol metabolites in the amplified toxicity of linoleic acid and polychlorinated biphenyls to vascular endothelial cells.

Selected dietary lipids may increase the atherogenic effects of environmental chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), by cross-amplifying mechanisms leading to dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. We have shown previously that the omega-6 parent fatty acid, linoleic acid, or 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), an aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonist, independently can cause disruption of endothelial barrier function. Furthermore, cellular enrichment with linoleic acid can amplify PCB-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. We hypothesize that the amplified toxicity of linoleic acid and PCBs to endothelial cells could be mediated in part by cytotoxic epoxide metabolites of linoleic acid called leukotoxins (LTX) or their diol derivatives (LTXD). Exposure to LTXD resulted in a dose-dependent increase in albumin transfer across endothelial cell monolayers, whereas this disruption of endothelial barrier function was observed only at a high concentration of LTX. Pretreatment with the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase inhibitor 1-cyclohexyl-3-dodecyl urea partially protected against the observed LTX-induced endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cell activation mediated by LTX and/or LTXD also enhanced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B and gene expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Inhibiting cytosolic epoxide hydrolase decreased the LTX-mediated induction of both NF-kappa B and the IL-6 gene, whereas the antioxidant vitamin E did not block LTX-induced endothelial cell activation. Most importantly, inhibition of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase blocked both linoleic acid-induced cytotoxicity, as well as the additive toxicity of linoleic acid plus PCB 77 to endothelial cells. Interestingly, cellular uptake and accumulation of linoleic acid was markedly enhanced in the presence of PCB 77. These data suggest that cytotoxic epoxide metabolites of linoleic acid play a critical role in linoleic acid-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. Furthermore, the severe toxicity of PCBs in the presence of linoleic acid may be due in part to the generation of epoxide and diol metabolites. These findings have implications in understanding interactive mechanisms of how dietary fats can modulate dysfunction of the vascular endothelium mediated by certain environmental contaminants.

Identification of a juvenile hormone esterase gene by matching its peptide mass fingerprint with a sequence from the Drosophila genome project.

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE, EC 3.1.1.1) from whole Drosophila melanogaster prepupae has previously been purified by selective precipitations, isoelectric focussing and two column chromatography steps. JHE bands from dried silver-stained SDS-PAGE gels of that material were digested with trypsin. The masses of the tryptic digest peptides were determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Only one predicted gene product (CG8425) from the D. melanogaster genome matches the JHE tryptic fingerprint with high confidence. This predicted JHE sequence includes features that are conserved among all active members of the serine carboxylesterase multigene family as well as features peculiar to JHEs from other species. Also we show that this JHE can be purified by an alternative method using anion exchange chromotography followed by trifluoromethylketone affinity chromatography. A cDNA encoding this JHE was isolated using 3' and 5' RACE. This sequence is in agreement with the Drosophila genome project's prediction except that the sixth predicted intron is not removed; instead there is a stop codon followed by a polyadenylation signal and a polyA tail.

Isolation and characterization of a novel lepidopteran-selective toxin from the venom of South Indian red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus.

BACKGROUND: Scorpion venom contains insect and mammal selective toxins. We investigated the venom of the South Indian red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus for the purpose of identifying potent insecticidal peptide toxins. RESULTS: A lepidopteran-selective toxin (Buthus tamulus insect toxin; ButaIT) has been isolated from this venom. The primary structure analysis reveals that it is a single polypeptide composed of 37 amino acids cross-linked by four disulfide bridges with high sequence homology to other short toxins such as Peptide I, neurotoxin P2, Lqh-8/6, chlorotoxin, insectotoxin I5A, insect toxin 15 and insectotoxin I1. Three dimensional modeling using Swiss automated protein modeling server reveals that this toxin contains a short alpha-helix and three antiparallel beta-strands, similar to other short scorpion toxins. This toxin is selectively active on Heliothis virescens causing flaccid paralysis but was non-toxic to blowfly larvae and mice. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a Heliothine selective peptide toxin. Identification of diverse insect selective toxins offer advantages in employing these peptides selectively for pest control.

Metabolism of monoepoxides of methyl linoleate: bioactivation and detoxification.

Leukotoxin (ltx) and isoleukotoxin (iltx) methyl esters, are metabolites of methyl linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. They have been associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome. The observed toxicity of ltx and iltx is, in fact, due to the metabolism of the epoxides to their corresponding diols by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Herein, we demonstrate that ltx/iltx are toxic in a time-dependent manner to human sEH expressing cells with a LT(50) of 10.6 +/- 0.8 h and that ltx and iltx have K(M) of 6.15 +/- 1.0 and 5. 17 +/- 0.56 microM, respectively, and V(max) of 2.67 +/- 0.04 and 1. 86 +/- 0.06 micromol/min/mg, respectively, which can be inhibited by sEH inhibitors. We show that four major metabolites of ltx/iltx are formed in our system, including ltx/iltx free acid, ltxd/iltxd, free acid, and phosphotidylcholine and phosphotidylethanolamine containing the carboxylic acid forms of both ltx/iltx and ltxd/iltxd, but that the only metabolite associated with toxicity is the carboxylic acid form of ltxd/iltxd, suggesting the involvement of cellular esterases. We demonstrate that a serine esterase inhibitor provides some protection from the toxicity of epoxy fatty esters to sEH expressing cells as do intercellular free sulfhydryls, but that this protection is not due to glutathione conjugation. With these data, we have proposed an extension of the metabolic pathway for ltx/iltx in eukaryotic cells.

Cytotoxicity of 1,2-epoxynaphthalene is correlated with protein binding and in situ glutathione depletion in cytochrome P4501A1 expressing Sf-21 cells.

Naphthalene is metabolized by several cytochrome P-450 (CYP) monooxygenases to 1,2-epoxynaphthalene. However, the subsequent interactions of the epoxide with macromolecules in the cells, and the significance of these interactions to cellular injury, are not well characterized. Additionally, CYP1A1, which can metabolize naphthalene to 1,2-epoxynaphthalene, may be induced by a number of xenobiotics. Yet, the in situ interaction between naphthalene and CYP1A1 alone, without the influence of other xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, has not been examined. Using a model eukaryotic expression system capable of over-expressing recombinant CYP1A1, we found that naphthalene was toxic to cells expressing CYP1A1 in a dose- (LC50: 0.3 mM) and time-dependent (LT50: 12 h) manner. Naphthalene treatment of CYP1A1-expressing cells resulted in a 47% decrease in cellular glutathione (GSH) levels. Pretreatment with ethyl ester GSH, a GSH analog, protected CYP1A1-expressing cells such that viability was 30% greater than for cells treated with naphthalene alone. Cytotoxicity was strongly correlated (r2: 0.96) with covalent binding of cellular proteins. Alkaline permethylation techniques showed that cysteinyl-SH groups of cellular proteins are a nucleophilic target of the epoxide metabolite. These results suggest that, in the absence of other pathways, naphthalene is modified by CYP1A1 to 1,2-epoxynaphthalene, which subsequently binds cellular sulfhydryl groups on proteins and GSH.

Isotope-labeled immunoassays without radiation waste.

The practice of immunoassay has experienced a widespread transition from radioisotopic labeling to nonisotopic labeling over the last two decades. Radioisotope labels have drawbacks that hamper their applications: (i) perceived radiation hazards of reagents, (ii) regulatory requirements and disposal problems of working with radioactive materials, and (iii) short shelf-life of the labeled reagents. The advantage of isotopic labeling is the incorporation into analytes without altering structure or reactivity, as is often the case with ELISA or fluorescent detection systems. We developed a format for isotope label immunoassay with the long-life isotope (14)C as the label and accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) as the detection system. AMS quantifies attomole levels of several isotopes, including (14)C. With this exquisite sensitivity, the sensitivity of an immunoassay is limited by the K(d) of the antibody and not the detection system. The detection limit of the assays for atrazine and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was 2.0 x 10(-10) M and 2.0 x 10(-11) M, respectively, approximately an order of magnitude below the standard enzyme immunoassay. Notably, <1 dpm (0.45 pCi) of (14)C-labeled compound was used in each assay, which is well below the limit of disposal (50 nCi per g) as nonradioactive waste. Thus, endogenous reporter ligands quantified by AMS provide the advantages of an RIA without the associated problems of radioactive waste.

Development of a class-selective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for mercapturic acids in human urine.

Epidemiological and toxicological studies often require the analysis of large numbers of samples for biological markers of exposure. The goal of this work was to develop a class-selective ELISA to detect groups of structurally closely related mercapturic acids with small nonpolar S-substituents. An assay was developed with strong recognition for mercapturates including S-benzylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 0.018 micromol/L), S-n-hexylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 0.021 micromol/L), S-phenylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 0.024 micromol/L), and S-cyclohexylmethylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 0.042 micromol/L). The same assay also showed weaker recognition for S-(1-hydroxynaphthal-2-yl)mercapturic acid and S-allylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 1.1 and 1.7 micromol/L, respectively). Subtle modifications to the hapten linker structure of the coating antigen proved to have a strong impact on the selectivity and the specificity of the assay. A slightly modified assay showed high recognition for S-benzylmercapturic acid (IC50 = 0.018 micromol/L) and weaker recognition for seven other mercapturic acids (IC50 = 0.021-10 micromol/L). Strong positive assay responses were detected in 12 urine samples obtained from persons with no known occupational exposure to exogenous electrophilic xenobiotics. Solid phase extraction and cross-reactivity indicated that the presumptive immunoreactive materials were similar in size and polarity to S-benzylmercapturic acid. The assay was more selective to mercapturic acids than the spectrophotometric thioether assay.

Detoxification of environmental mutagens and carcinogens: structure, mechanism, and evolution of liver epoxide hydrolase.

The crystal structure of recombinant murine liver cytosolic epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) has been determined at 2.8-A resolution. The binding of a nanomolar affinity inhibitor confirms the active site location in the C-terminal domain; this domain is similar to that of haloalkane dehalogenase and shares the alpha/beta hydrolase fold. A structure-based mechanism is proposed that illuminates the unique chemical strategy for the activation of endogenous and man-made epoxide substrates for hydrolysis and detoxification. Surprisingly, a vestigial active site is found in the N-terminal domain similar to that of another enzyme of halocarbon metabolism, haloacid dehalogenase. Although the vestigial active site does not participate in epoxide hydrolysis, the vestigial domain plays a critical structural role by stabilizing the dimer in a distinctive domain-swapped architecture. Given the genetic and structural relationships among these enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism, a structure-based evolutionary sequence is postulated.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase in rat inflammatory cells is indistinguishable from soluble epoxide hydrolase in rat liver.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a ubiquitous mammalian enzyme for which liver and kidney are reported to have the highest activity. We have shown that the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) activity present in rat neutrophils and macrophages is kinetically, immunologically, and physically indistinguishable from rat liver cytosolic sEH. Cytosol from rat liver or inflammatory cells and recombinant rat sEH were incubated with trans-diphenylpropene oxide (tDPPO), a selective substrate for sEH. The tDPPO hydration activity we observed in inflammatory cell cytosol was lower than that from liver. The Km for tDPPO hydration observed in rat inflammatory cell cytosol was the same as the Km for rat liver cytosol (10 microM). Recombinant rat sEH and cytosol from rat liver or inflammatory cells were incubated with the sEH inhibitors, chalcone oxide, 4-fluorochalcone oxide, and 4-phenylchalcone oxide. The IC50 values were 40, 8, and 0.4 microM, respectively, in all samples. Furthermore, sEH activity could be completely immunoprecipitated out of the samples, and the amount of antibody required to do so was apparently identical, regardless of the source of enzyme. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Western blot analysis revealed a single sEH band with a molecular weight of 62 kDa. Isoelectric focusing followed by Western blot analysis revealed multiple bands containing tDPPO-hydrating activity. Although the inflammatory cell bands had the same pattern as those from liver cytosol, the recombinant sEH showed a different banding pattern. These multiple bands were not an artifact of the IEF gel selected. Furthermore, in a 2-dimensional IEF gel, the bands re-migrated to the same position. The presence of sEH in inflammatory cells suggests that this enzyme may have an important endogenous function.

Expression and characterization of the recombinant juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) from Manduca sexta.

The cDNA of the microsomal Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase (JHEH) from Manduca sexta was expressed in vitro in the baculovirus system. In insect cell culture, the recombinant enzyme (Ms-JHEH) was produced at a high level (100 fold over background EH catalytic activity). As expected, Ms-JHEH was localized in the microsomal fraction with a molecular mass of approximately 50 kDa. Ms-JHEH showed a substrate and inhibitor spectrum similar to the wild type JHEH isolated from eggs of M. sexta. Its enzymatic activity was the highest for Juvenile Hormone III. Ms-JHEH hydrolyzed several trans-epoxides faster than cis-epoxides. A putative hydroxyl-acyl enzyme intermediate was isolated suggesting a catalytic mechanism of Ms-JHEH similar to the mammalian EHs.