Structural identification of the lipopolysaccharide-binding capability of a cupin-family protein from Helicobacter pylori.

We solved the crystal structure of a functionally uncharacterized protein, HP0902, from Helicobacter pylori. Its structure demonstrated an all-ß cupin fold that cannot bind metal ions due to the absence of a metal-binding histidine that is conserved in many metallo-cupins. In contrast, isothermal titration calorimetry and NMR titration demonstrated that HP0902 is able to bind bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS) through its surface-exposed loops, where metal-binding sites are usually found in other metallo-cupins. This report constitutes the first identification of an LPS-interacting protein, both in the cupin family and in H. pylori. Furthermore, identification of the ability of HP0902 to bind LPS uncovers a putative role for this protein in H. pylori pathogenicity.

Kami-ondam-tang, a traditional herbal prescription, attenuates the prepulse inhibition deficits and cognitive impairments induced by MK-801 in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kami-ondam-tang (KODT) has been used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders, including neurosis and insomnia, in traditional herbal medicine. However, the mechanisms of this drug have not been well characterized in the treatment of schizophrenia-like behaviors. AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated whether schizophrenia-like behaviors induced by MK-801, a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, could be attenuated by KODT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute systemic administration of MK-801 was used to establish an animal model of schizophrenia. The effects of KODT on the MK-801-induced prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits, hyperlocomotion, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment were assessed. We also examined the changes in the expression levels of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) after the administration of KODT with MK-801 in the cortical and hippocampal tissues. RESULTS: The acoustic startle response test showed that the acoustic startle enhancement and PPI deficits induced by MK-801 were attenuated by KODT. Moreover, KODT ameliorated social and objective recognition impairments that were induced by MK-801 in the social novelty preference test and the novel object recognition test. In addition, the upregulation of phosphorylated Akt or phosphorylated ERK expression induced by MK-801 was blocked by KODT in the cortex. However, MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion was not affected by KODT in the open field test. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that KODT attenuates MK-801-induced PPI disruption, social interaction deficits, and cognitive impairments, possibly, by regulating of cortical Akt and ERK signaling.

Development of physicochemical nitrogen removal process for high strength industrial wastewater.

The biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process is the most common method for removing low quantities of ammonium from wastewater, but this method is not used for wastewater rich with ammonium. In this study, we have developed the physicochemical nitrogen removal process to remove the nitrogen content for a real industrial wastewater. The denitrification was accomplished by the physicochemical denitrification process using zinc powder and sulfamic acid in pH 2-4. The experimental parameters were examined by varying various reaction conditions such as pH, zinc feeding time, amount of sulfamic acid, and amount of nitrate concentration. For each experimental condition, the physicochemical denitrification process was determined by pH, amount of zinc powder and sulfamic acid, zinc feeding time and nitrate concentration.