Identification of Novel Proteins in Foam Nests of the Japanese Forest Green Tree Frog, Rhacophorus arboreus.

Foam nests of frogs are natural biosurfactants that contain potential compounds for biocompatible materials, Drug Delivery System (DDS), emulsifiers, and bioremediation. To elucidate the protein components in the foam nests of Rhacophorus arboreus, which is an endemic Japanese frog species commonly seen during the rainy season, we performed amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using intact foam nests. Many proteins were detected in these foam nests, ranging from a few to several hundred kDa, with both essential and non-essential amino acids. Next, we performed transcriptome analysis using a next-generation sequencer on total RNAs extracted from oviducts before egg-laying. The soluble foam nests were purified by LC-MS and analyzed using Edman degradation, and the identified N-terminal sequences were matched to the transcriptome data. Four proteins that shared significant sequence homologies with extracellular superoxide dismutase of Nanorana parkeri, vitelline membrane outer layer protein 1 homolog of Xenopus tropicalis, ranasmurfin of Polypedates leucomystax, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin of Sorex araneus were identified. Prior to purification of the foam nests, they were treated with both a reducing reagent and an alkylating agent, and LC-MS/ MS analyses were performed. We identified 22 proteins in the foam nests that were homologous with proteinase inhibitors, ribonuclease, glycoproteins, antimicrobial protein and barrier, immunoglobulin-binding proteins, glycoprotein binding protein, colored protein, and keratin-associated protein. The presence of these proteins in foam nests, along with small molecules, such as carbohydrates and sugars, would protect them against microbial and parasitic attack, oxidative stress, and a shortage of moisture.

Determination of free fatty acids in plasma by gas chromatography.

A method was developed for determination of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma by gas chromatography. Plasma was extracted with 3 vol of methanol. Most cholesterol esters and triacylglycerols did not dissolve in the aqueous methanol. FFAs in the crude lipid solution were directly and selectively methylated with (trimethylsilyl)diazomethane at room temperature. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) formed were extracted with hexane, and nonreactive phospholipids were washed out with 95% methanol. The partially purified FAME preparation was analyzed by gas chromatography. The composition and amount of plasma FFAs closely approximated those obtained using two different methods.

Pyroglutamyl leucine, a peptide in fermented foods, attenuates dysbiosis by increasing host antimicrobial peptide.

PyroGlu-Leu is present in certain food protein hydrolysates and traditional Japanese fermented foods. Our previous study demonstrated that the oral administration of pyroGlu-Leu (0.1 mg/kg body weight) attenuates dysbiosis in mice with experimental colitis. The objective of this study was to elucidate why such a low dose of pyroGlu-Leu attenuates dysbiosis in different animal models. High fat diet extensively increased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in feces of rats compared to control diet. Oral administration of pyroGlu-Leu (1 mg/kg body weight) significantly attenuated high fat diet-induced dysbiosis. By focusing on the production of intestinal antimicrobial peptides, we found that pyroGlu-Leu significantly increased the level of 4962 Da peptides, which identified as the propeptide of rattusin or defensin alpha 9, in ileum. We also observed increased tryptic fragment peptides from rattusin in the lumen. Here, we report that orally administered pyroGlu-Leu attenuates dysbiosis by increasing in the host antimicrobial peptide, rattusin.

New enzymatic assays based on the combination of signal accumulation type of ion sensitive field effect transistor (SA-ISFET) with horseradish peroxidase.

Peroxidase is widely used for the detection of secondary reactions during measurements of various enzymatic reactions, such as that of oxidase activity, or as an enzyme for immunoassay. Conventional methods utilizing the enzyme require expensive equipment such as a spectrophotometer to measure the absorption of light by the reaction product. Here, we describe a simple and cost-effective method for measuring enzymatic reactions using a signal accumulation type of ion sensitive field effect transistor (SA-ISFET) sensor capable of detecting the proton changes due to the enzymatic reaction. Using this detection principle, we constructed a detection system combining ABTS, an electron mediator, and a horseradish peroxidase activity detection system. As a result, we could quantitatively measure hydrogen peroxide with excellent reproducibility and linearity. As an application of this tool, we describe an oxidase-peroxidase reaction system for the measurement of glucose, sarcosine, uric acid and lactic acid. In addition, we describe an immunoassay system using a peroxidase-labeled antibody for detection of Escherichia coli. We also describe a prototype for a flow-type ISFET device for continuous and routine measurements.

Fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerols: Preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas chromatography.

A method to prepare fatty acid methyl esters was developed for fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerols by gas chromatography (GC). Triacylglycerols were mixed with methanolic CH3ONa in hexane containing a mid-polar solvent for 10 s at room temperature. Under these conditions, trioleoylglycerol was converted to methyl oleate with an average yield of 99.3%. This procedure gave reliable and reproducible data on fatty acid compositions determined by GC.

Simple and reliable urea assay based on a signal accumulation type of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor.

A simple urea assay was developed using a signal accumulation type of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (SA-ISFET). Decreases in proton concentration resulting from urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea are detected by SA-ISFET as a change in potential. The method exhibits high sensitivity, linearity, and reproducibility when potential signals are accumulated 10-fold.

Functional roles of YPT31 and YPT32 in clotrimazole resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae through effects on vacuoles and ATP-binding cassette transporter(s).

We identified YPT31, which is involved in Golgi traffic, as a clotrimazole (CTZ)-resistance gene in a multicopy library screen. Multicopies of the YPT31 homolog YPT32 also conferred resistance to CTZ, and single disruption of YPT31 or YPT32 resulted in sensitivity to CTZ. Pdr5p, an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter at the plasma membrane, was the most important factor for mediating basal resistance to CTZ, suggesting that Ypt31p and Ypt32p might be involved in the trafficking of Pdr5p to the plasma membrane. However, the activity of Pdr5p was independent of YPT31 or YPT32, and multicopies of YPT31 or YPT32 still conferred resistance to CTZ in pdr5 cells. To elucidate the roles of YPT31 and YPT32 in CTZ resistance, we analyzed mutants of 11 genes that are involved in the following vesicular trafficking: Golgi traffic (kes1, trs33, trs65, gyp1, trs85, and gyp2), vacuole inheritance (ypt7), endocytosis (rcy1 and ypt51) and exocytosis (msb3 and msb4). All of the mutant cells except ypt51, msb3 and msb4 were sensitive to CTZ, indicating that vacuoles were involved in CTZ resistance, since vacuole formation requires proper Golgi-trafficking and endocytosis. Microscopic analysis showed abnormal vacuoles in ypt31 cells. Multicopies of YPT31 or YPT32 conferred resistance to CTZ in AD1-8 cells, which are defective in seven major drug transporters, and in pdr5 ypt7 cells, but not in ypt7 or AD1-8-7 (AD1-8/ypt7) cells. These results indicated that Ypt31p and Ypt32p played minor but compensatory roles in cellular resistance to CTZ through vacuoles and specific ABC transporter(s) other than Pdr5p.