Wheat Germ Agglutinin—From Toxicity to Biomedical Applications

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Wheat Germ Agglutinin—From Toxicity to Biomedical Applications applied sciences Review Wheat Germ Agglutinin—From Toxicity to Biomedical Applications Gabriele˙ Balˇciunait¯ e-Murzien˙ e˙ 1,2,* and Mindaugas Dzikaras 2 1 Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies, Faculty of Pharmacy, Academy of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 44307 Kaunas, Lithuania 2 Panevežys˙ Institute of Technologies and Business, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +370-638-85187 Featured Application: Wheat germ agglutinin has the potential for enabling and improving tar- geted drug delivery systems, anticancer drugs, and antibacterial and antifungal therapeutics due to its cytotoxic mechanisms and specific carbohydrate binding. Abstract: Wheat germ agglutinin is a hevein class N-Acetylglucosamine–binding protein with specific toxicity and biomedical potential. It is extractable from wheat germ—a low-value byproduct of the wheat industry—using well–established extraction methods based on salt precipitation and affinity chromatography. Due to its N-Acetylglucosamine affinity, wheat germ agglutinin exhibits antifungal properties as well as cytotoxic properties. Its anticancer properties have been demonstrated for various cancer cells, and toxicity mechanisms are well described. Wheat germ agglutinin has been demonstrated as a viable solution for various biomedical and therapeutic applications, such as chemotherapy, targeted drug delivery, antibiotic-resistant bacteria monitoring and elimination. This is performed mostly in conjunction with nanoparticles, liposomes, and other carrier mechanisms via surface functionalization. Combined with abundant wheat byproduct sources, wheat germ agglutinin has the potential to improve the biomedical field considerably. Citation: Balˇciunait¯ e-Murzien˙ e,˙ G.; Dzikaras, M. Wheat Germ Keywords: wheat; germ; wheat byproducts; agglutinin; WGA; toxicity; glycosylation; N-Acetylglucosamine; Agglutinin—From Toxicity to GlcNAc; carbohydrate Biomedical Applications. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 884. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/app11020884 1. Introduction Received: 2 December 2020 Accepted: 15 January 2021 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most essential agricultural staple foods used Published: 19 January 2021 for human consumption and animal feed. Approximately 21% of the world’s food supplies depend on annual wheat crop harvest [1], which causes the production of byproducts that Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral are not always used efficiently or, in some cases, entirely discarded as waste [2]. Increasing with regard to jurisdictional claims in trends of consumption-based economy restructuring to more ecologically-minded circular published maps and institutional affil- economy models encourage the scientific development of new technologies for byproduct iations. valorization to create products with high nutritional value. One of the wheat processing byproducts which takes 2–3% of whole wheat grain [3] is wheat germ. They are a source of oils [4], tocopherols [5], various polyphenols [6], and specific proteins, such as agglutinins (lectins) [7]. Even though agglutinins are considered to be antinutrients [8], they might have Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. various prospective applications in biomedicine, biotechnology, and agriculture itself. Con- Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. sidering the high quantities of wheat germ available as low-value byproducts throughout This article is an open access article the world, any valorization attempts by extracting specific proteins may lead to high impact distributed under the terms and worldwide. This review is focused on wheat germ agglutinin, its structure and specificity, conditions of the Creative Commons extraction and purification methods, biological activity, and possible applications. Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 884. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020884 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 11 Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 884 2 of 10 2. Wheat Germ Agglutinin Structure 2. Wheat Germ Agglutinin Structure Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is one of the first purified lectins extracted at the very Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) is one of the first purified lectins extracted at the beginning of the lectinomics field. WGA structure was described during the 1970s. WGA very beginning of the lectinomics field. WGA structure was described during the 1970s. is a mixture of three closely related major isoforms, named WGA1, WGA2, and WGA3 WGA is a mixture of three closely related major isoforms, named WGA1, WGA2, and [9], which are a 36.0 kDa size stable 18.0 kDa polypeptide chain homodimer [10] with WGA3 [9], which are a 36.0 kDa size stable 18.0 kDa polypeptide chain homodimer [10] twofold axis symmetry [11]. Variability of these three isolectins is observed at 10 sequence with twofold axis symmetry [11]. Variability of these three isolectins is observed at 10 positions, with WGA3 being the most distinct form, differing from WGA1 by 8 positions sequence positions, with WGA3 being the most distinct form, differing from WGA1 by and from WGA2 by 7 positions [12]. The polypeptide chain is stable under high-tempera- 8 positions and from WGA2 by 7 positions [12]. The polypeptide chain is stable under ture exposure [13]. Moreover, WGA monomers are highly resistant to acidity, and confor- high-temperature exposure [13]. Moreover, WGA monomers are highly resistant to acidity, mationaland conformational changes can changes be reversed can be by reversed increasing by increasingpH [14]. pH [14]. Each polypeptidepolypeptide chain chain is is composed composed of fourof four hevein hevein domains, domains, named named A, B, C,A,and B, C D, [and15,16 D] [1(Figure5,16] 1(Figure). WGA3 1). exhibits WGA3 higherexhibits interdomain higher interdomain similarity thansimilarity WGA1 than or WGA2,WGA1 suggestingor WGA2, suggestingcloser relatedness closer relatedness to the common to the ancestral common molecule ancestral [12 molecule]. Amino [12] acid. Amino analysis acid shows analysis that showsWGA containsthat WGA high contains amounts high of glycineamounts and of half-cystine,glycine and featureshalf-cystine, not typical features to mostnot typical of the tolectins most [ 17of ].the Additionally, lectins [17]. theAdditionally, protein is rich the inprotein disulfide is rich bridges, in disulfide with each bridges hevein, with domain each heveincontaining domain eight containing disulfide-forming eight disulfide cysteines-forming [18]. Thesecysteines disulfides [18]. These have disulfides been shown have to beenplay shown an important to play an role important in hevein role stability in hevein since stability heveins since lack heveins a hydrophobic lack a hydrophobic core [19]. coreAdditionally, [19]. Additionally, the disulfides the disulfides seem to explain seem to low explain pH value low pH stability value [ 14stability]. WGA [14] has. WGA been hasshown been to shown undergo to cotranslationalundergo cotranslational processing processing of glycan addition of glycan to addition the C-terminus, to the C which-termi- is nuslater, which post-translationally is later post-translationally removed before removed WGA reaches before mature WGA reaches form [20 mature]. Affinity form studies [20]. Affinityshow that studies subunit show specificity that subunit to oligosaccharides specificity to isoligosaccharides much better than is much to monosaccharides. better than to monosaccharides.A, B, and C subunits A, bind B, andN-Acetylglucosamine C subunits bind N (GlcNAc)-Acetylglucosamine residues, such (GlcN as chitin,Ac) residues whereas, suchsubunit as chitin, D accommodates whereas subunit the glycoside D accommodates aglycones. the Monosaccharides glycoside aglycones. are only Monosaccha- bound to ridessubunit are C only [21]. bound However, to subunit low affinity C [21]. to However, other carbohydrates, low affinity to such other as N-Acetylneuraminiccarbohydrates, such as(sialic) N-Acetylneuraminic acid, plays an important (sialic) acid role, plays in WGA an important activity [role22]. in Based WGA on activity the structure [22]. Based and oncarbohydrate the structure specificity, and carbohydrate WGA is classified specificity as, WGA chitin-binding is classified lectin as composedchitin-binding of hevein lectin composeddomains [ 23of]. hevein Lectin domains structure [2 and3]. Lectin carbohydrate structure specificity and carbohydrate enable its specificity broad spectrum enable its of broadbiological spectrum activities. of biological activities. Figure 1. Dimeric wheat germ agglutinin 3 (WGA3) structure by [ 24]. Red, Red, orange, orange, yellow, yellow, and brown brown colors represent the subunits A, B, C, and D of the first first protein, respectively. Blue, light blue, pink, and purple represent the subunits A, A, B, B, C, C, and D of the second protein, respectively. TheThe sugar-bindingsugar-binding sitesite isis locatedlocated atat thethe interfaceinterface ofof bothboth WGAWGA monomers.monomers. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 884 3 of 10 3. WGA Extraction and Purification The most widely used natural WGA purification from wheat germ strategies include a series of protein precipitation and chromatographic purification steps. Untreated wheat germ material goes through a defatting step followed by material disruption with a labora- tory mill. The material preparation is followed by extraction in water or aqueous buffers. Crude wheat extracts are used for
Recommended publications
  • Chemical Disinfectants for Biohazardous Materials (3/21)
    Safe Operating Procedure (Revised 3/21) CHEMICAL DISINFECTANTS FOR BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIALS ____________________________________________________________________________ Chemicals used for biohazardous decontamination are called sterilizers, disinfectants, sanitizers, antiseptics and germicides. These terms are sometimes equivalent, but not always, but for the purposes of this document all the chemicals described herein are disinfectants. The efficacy of every disinfectant is based on several factors: 1) organic load (the amount of dirt and other contaminants on the surface), 2) microbial load, 3) type of organism, 4) condition of surfaces to be disinfected (i.e., porous or nonporous), and 5) disinfectant concentration, pH, temperature, contact time and environmental humidity. These factors determine if the disinfectant is considered a high, intermediate or low-level disinfectant, in that order. Prior to selecting a specific disinfectant, consider the relative resistance of microorganisms. The following table provides information regarding chemical disinfectant resistance of various biological agents. Microbial Resistance to Chemical Disinfectants: Type of Microbe Examples Resistant Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad Prions Cow) Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Bacillus subtilis; Clostridium sporogenes, Bacterial Spores Clostridioides difficile Mycobacterium bovis, M. terrae, and other Mycobacteria Nontuberculous mycobacterium Poliovirus; Coxsackievirus; Rhinovirus; Non-enveloped or Small Viruses Adenovirus Trichophyton spp.; Cryptococcus sp.;
    [Show full text]
  • Chemical Threat Agents Call Poison Control 24/7 for Treatment Information 1.800.222.1222 Blood Nerve Blister Pulmonary Metals Toxins
    CHEMICAL THREAT AGENTS CALL POISON CONTROL 24/7 FOR TREATMENT INFORMATION 1.800.222.1222 BLOOD NERVE BLISTER PULMONARY METALS TOXINS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS SYMPTOMS • Vertigo • Diarrhea, diaphoresis • Itching • Upper respiratory tract • Cough • Shock • Tachycardia • Urination • Erythema irritation • Metallic taste • Organ failure • Tachypnea • Miosis • Yellowish blisters • Rhinitis • CNS effects • Cyanosis • Bradycardia, bronchospasm • Flu-like symptoms • Coughing • Shortness of breath • Flu-like symptoms • Emesis • Delayed eye irritation • Choking • Flu-like symptoms • Nonspecific neurological • Lacrimation • Delayed pulmonary edema • Visual disturbances symptoms • Salivation, sweating INDICATIVE LAB TESTS INDICATIVE LAB TESTS INDICATIVE LAB TEST INDICATIVE LAB TESTS INDICATIVE LAB TESTS INDICATIVE LAB TESTS • Increased anion gap • Decreased cholinesterase • Thiodiglycol present in urine • Decreased pO2 • Proteinuria None Available • Metabolic acidosis • Increased anion gap • Decreased pCO2 • Renal assessment • Narrow pO2 difference • Metabolic acidosis • Arterial blood gas between arterial and venous • Chest radiography samples DEFINITIVE TEST DEFINITIVE TEST DEFINITIVE TEST DEFINITIVE TESTS DEFINITIVE TESTS • Blood cyanide levels • Urine nerve agent • Urine blister agent No definitive tests available • Blood metals panel • Urine ricinine metabolites metabolites • Urine metals panel • Urine abrine POTENTIAL AGENTS POTENTIAL AGENTS POTENTIAL AGENTS POTENTIAL AGENTS POTENTIAL AGENTS POTENTIAL AGENTS • Hydrogen Cyanide
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Annual Survey of Biological and Chemical Agents Regulated by Homeland Security (And Carcinogens Regulated by OSHA)
    Name: Dept: Date: 2018 Annual Survey of Biological and Chemical Agents regulated by Homeland Security (and carcinogens regulated by OSHA) Due (date) All labs that do not have a current chemical inventory in Chematix MUST complete this survey. The University is required to make an annual report of all chemicals on the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) lists. Additional information regarding the regulations is available on the EH&S website at http://www.safety.rochester.edu/restricted/occsafe/chemicalagent.html and https://www.selectagents.gov. 1. Please review the lists on the following pages and indicate if any are possessed by your lab. The CAS# has been added to the list for ease of searching databases. The CAS# is a Chemical Abstract Service numbering system which assigns a unique number to every chemical substance based on structure; this helps avoid confusion by use of synonyms or different naming conventions. a. If yes for possession, place an X in the applicable box and if requested, include the quantity held in your lab. b. If no, leave blank. 2. After reviewing the list, please complete the information box below (or on last page for possession), then sign, date and return to EH&S. 3. Please call Donna Douglass at 275-2402 if you have any questions. Thank you for your cooperation in collecting data required by the Department of Homeland Security! Possession: 1) Fill in applicable boxes, 2) have PI sign last page, 3) return all pages to Donna Douglass OR Non-possession: 1) Check only one box on the left, 2) sign, 3) return just this page to Donna Douglass I do not have a lab, do not work in a lab, nor do I possess any of the agents in this survey.
    [Show full text]
  • Binding and the Effect of the Red Kidney Bean Lectin, Phytohaemagglutinin, In
    Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core British Journal of Nutrition (2006), 95, 105–115 DOI: 10.1079/BJN20051612 q The Authors 2006 Binding and the effect of the red kidney bean lectin, phytohaemagglutinin, in . IP address: the gastrointestinal tract of suckling rats 170.106.202.58 Ann Linderoth1*, Olena Prykhod’ko1, Bo Ahre´n2, Frida Fa˚k1, Stefan G. Pierzynowski1 and Bjo¨rn R. Westro¨m1 1Department of Cell and Organism Biology, Lund University, Helgonava¨gen 3B, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden , on 2Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden 29 Sep 2021 at 02:15:37 (Received 7 April 2005 – Revised 8 July 2005 – Accepted 17 July 2005) Enteral exposure of suckling rats to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) has been shown to induce growth and precocious functional maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanism of this action. Suckling rats, 14 d old, were fed a single dose , subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at of PHA (0·05 mg/g body weight) or saline. The binding of PHA to the gut epithelium and its effect on the morphology and functional properties of the gut and pancreas were studied up to 3 d after treatment. Initially, at 1–24 h, the PHA bound along the gut mucosal lining, resulting in dis- turbed gut morphology with villi shortening and rapid decreases in disaccharidase activities and macromolecular absorption capacity. During a later phase, between 1 and 3 d, the PHA binding had declined, and an uptake by enterocytes was observed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Essential Role of Anxa2 in Langerhans Cell Birbeck Granules Formation
    cells Article The Essential Role of anxA2 in Langerhans Cell Birbeck Granules Formation Shantae M. Thornton 1, Varsha D. Samararatne 1, Joseph G. Skeate 1 , Christopher Buser 2, Kim P. Lühen 3, Julia R. Taylor 1, Diane M. Da Silva 3,4 and W. Martin Kast 1,3,4,* 1 Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; [email protected] (S.M.T.); [email protected] (V.D.S.); [email protected] (J.G.S.); [email protected] (J.R.T.) 2 Oak Crest Institute of Science, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA; [email protected] 3 Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; [email protected] (K.P.L.); [email protected] (D.M.D.S.) 4 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-323-442-3870 Received: 5 March 2020; Accepted: 12 April 2020; Published: 15 April 2020 Abstract: Langerhans cells (LC) are the resident antigen presenting cells of the mucosal epithelium and play an essential role in initiating immune responses. LC are the only cells in the body to contain Birbeck granules (BG), which are unique cytoplasmic organelles comprised of c-type lectin langerin. Studies of BG have historically focused on morphological characterizations, but BG have also been implicated in viral antigen processing which suggests that they can serve a function in antiviral immunity. This study focused on investigating proteins that could be involved in BG formation to further characterize their structure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
    [Show full text]
  • Ricin B Chain from Ricinus Communis (Castor Bean) (L9639)
    Lectin from Ricinus communis Ricin, B Chain, from RCA60 Product Number L 9639 Storage Temperature 2-8 °C Product Description This lectin product is a solution in 10 mM phosphate Sigma offers a range of lectins suitable for the above buffer, pH 6.5 containing 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM applications. Most Sigma lectins are highly purified by galactose, 0.5 mM dithioerythritol, and 0.02% sodium affinity chromatography, but some are offered as azide. purified or partially purified lectins, suitable for specific applications. Lectins are proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that agglutinate cells and/or precipitate complex Ricinus communis agglutinin should have good carbohydrates. Lectins are capable of binding binding affinity for lactose containing proteins, such as glycoproteins even in presence of various detergents.1 Lactosyl-BSA (Product No. A 5783).2 The agglutination activity of these highly specific carbohydrate-binding molecules is usually inhibited by Many of the lectins are available conjugated to a simple monosaccharide, but for some lectins, di, tri, (conjugation does not alter the specificity of the lectin): and even polysaccharides are required. 1. fluorochromes (for detection by fluorimetry). Lectins are isolated from a wide variety of natural 2. enzymes (for enzyme-linked assays). sources, including seeds, plant roots and bark, fungi, 3. insoluble matrices (for use as affinity media). bacteria, seaweed and sponges, mollusks, fish eggs, body fluids of invertebrates and lower vertebrates, and Please refer to the table for general information on the from mammalian cell membranes. The precise most common lectins. physiological role of lectins in nature is still unknown, but they have proved to be very valuable in a wide This lectin product is purified to apparent variety of applications in vitro, including: homogeneity.
    [Show full text]
  • Recognition of Microbial Glycans by Soluble Human Lectins
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Recognition of microbial glycans by soluble human lectins 3 1 1,2 Darryl A Wesener , Amanda Dugan and Laura L Kiessling Human innate immune lectins that recognize microbial glycans implicated in the regulation of microbial colonization and can conduct microbial surveillance and thereby help prevent in protection against infection. Seminal research on the infection. Structural analysis of soluble lectins has provided acute response to bacterial infection led to the identifica- invaluable insight into how these proteins recognize their tion of secreted factors that include C-reactive protein cognate carbohydrate ligands and how this recognition gives (CRP) and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) [1,3]. Both rise to biological function. In this opinion, we cover the CRP and MBL can recognize carbohydrate antigens on structural features of lectins that allow them to mediate the surface of pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumo- microbial recognition, highlighting examples from the collectin, niae and Staphylococcus aureus and then promote comple- Reg protein, galectin, pentraxin, ficolin and intelectin families. ment-mediated opsonization and cell killing [4]. Since These analyses reveal how some lectins (e.g., human intelectin- these initial observations, other lectins have been impli- 1) can recognize glycan epitopes that are remarkably diverse, cated in microbial recognition. Like MBL some of these yet still differentiate between mammalian and microbial proteins are C-type lectins, while others are members of glycans. We additionally discuss strategies to identify lectins the ficolin, pentraxin, galectin, or intelectin families. that recognize microbial glycans and highlight tools that Many of the lectins that function in microbial surveillance facilitate these discovery efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Review Sialic Acid-Specific Lectins: Occurrence, Specificity and Function
    Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 63 (2006) 1331–1354 1420-682X/06/121331-24 DOI 10.1007/s00018-005-5589-y Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences © Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2006 Review Sialic acid-specific lectins: occurrence, specificity and function F. Lehmanna, *, E. Tiralongob and J. Tiralongoa a Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail Centre Australia 9726 (Australia), Fax: +61 7 5552 8098; e-mail: [email protected] b School of Pharmacy, Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus), PMB 50 Gold Coast Mail Centre Australia 9726 (Australia) Received 13 December 2005; received after revision 9 February 2006; accepted 15 February 2006 Online First 5 April 2006 Abstract. Sialic acids consist of a family of acidic nine- through specific interactions with lectins, a family of carbon sugars that are typically located at the terminal po- proteins that recognise and bind sugars. This review will sitions of a variety of glycoconjugates. Naturally occur- present a detailed overview of our current knowledge re- ring sialic acids show an immense diversity of structure, garding the occurrence, specificity and function of sialic and this reflects their involvement in a variety of biologi- acid-specific lectins, particularly those that occur in vi- cally important processes. One such process involves the ruses, bacteria and non-vertebrate eukaryotes. direct participation of sialic acids in recognition events Keywords. Sialic acid, lectin, sialoglycoconjugate, sialic acid-specific lectin, adhesin, infectious disease, immunology. Introduction [1, 2]. The largest structural variations of naturally occurring Sia are at carbon 5, which can be substituted with either an Sialic acids (Sia) are a family of nine-carbon a-keto acids acetamido, hydroxyacetamido or hydroxyl moiety to form (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Lectins, Their Carbohydrate Affinities and Where to Find Them
    biomolecules Review Human Lectins, Their Carbohydrate Affinities and Where to Review HumanFind Them Lectins, Their Carbohydrate Affinities and Where to FindCláudia ThemD. Raposo 1,*, André B. Canelas 2 and M. Teresa Barros 1 1, 2 1 Cláudia D. Raposo * , Andr1 é LAQVB. Canelas‐Requimte,and Department M. Teresa of Chemistry, Barros NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829‐516 Caparica, Portugal; [email protected] 12 GlanbiaLAQV-Requimte,‐AgriChemWhey, Department Lisheen of Chemistry, Mine, Killoran, NOVA Moyne, School E41 of ScienceR622 Co. and Tipperary, Technology, Ireland; canelas‐ [email protected] NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; [email protected] 2* Correspondence:Glanbia-AgriChemWhey, [email protected]; Lisheen Mine, Tel.: Killoran, +351‐212948550 Moyne, E41 R622 Tipperary, Ireland; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +351-212948550 Abstract: Lectins are a class of proteins responsible for several biological roles such as cell‐cell in‐ Abstract:teractions,Lectins signaling are pathways, a class of and proteins several responsible innate immune for several responses biological against roles pathogens. such as Since cell-cell lec‐ interactions,tins are able signalingto bind to pathways, carbohydrates, and several they can innate be a immuneviable target responses for targeted against drug pathogens. delivery Since sys‐ lectinstems. In are fact, able several to bind lectins to carbohydrates, were approved they by canFood be and a viable Drug targetAdministration for targeted for drugthat purpose. delivery systems.Information In fact, about several specific lectins carbohydrate were approved recognition by Food by andlectin Drug receptors Administration was gathered for that herein, purpose. plus Informationthe specific organs about specific where those carbohydrate lectins can recognition be found by within lectin the receptors human was body.
    [Show full text]
  • Banlec-Egfp Chimera As a Tool for Evaluation of Lectin Binding to High-Mannose Glycans on Microorganisms
    biomolecules Article BanLec-eGFP Chimera as a Tool for Evaluation of Lectin Binding to High-Mannose Glycans on Microorganisms Zorana Lopandi´c 1 , Luka Dragaˇcevi´c 2, Dragan Popovi´c 3 , Uros Andjelkovi´c 3,4, Rajna Mini´c 2 and Marija Gavrovi´c-Jankulovi´c 1,* 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; [email protected] 2 Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, 11152 Belgrade, Serbia; [email protected] (L.D.); [email protected] (R.M.) 3 Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; [email protected] (D.P.); [email protected] (U.A.) 4 Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, 5100 Rijeka, Croatia * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +381-11-3336-661 Abstract: Fluorescently labeled lectins are useful tools for in vivo and in vitro studies of the structure and function of tissues and various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. For the evaluation of high-mannose glycans present on various glycoproteins, a three-dimensional (3D) model of the chimera was designed from the crystal structures of recombinant banana lectin (BanLec, Protein Data Bank entry (PDB): 5EXG) and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP, PDB 4EUL) by applying molecular modeling and molecular mechanics and expressed in Escherichia coli. BanLec- eGFP, produced as a soluble cytosolic protein of about 42 kDa, revealed β-sheets (41%) as the Citation: Lopandi´c,Z.; Dragaˇcevi´c, predominant secondary structures, with the emission peak maximum detected at 509 nm (excitation L.; Popovi´c,D.; Andjelkovi´c,U.; wavelength 488 nm).
    [Show full text]
  • Complement C3a Signaling Facilitates Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by Regulating Monocyte Function and Trafficking
    ARTICLE DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01526-z OPEN Complement C3a signaling facilitates skeletal muscle regeneration by regulating monocyte function and trafficking Congcong Zhang1, Chunxiao Wang1, Yulin Li1, Takashi Miwa2, Chang Liu1, Wei Cui1, Wen-Chao Song2 & Jie Du1 Regeneration of skeletal muscle following injury is accompanied by transient inflammation. Here we show that complement is activated in skeletal muscle injury and plays a key role 1234567890 during regeneration. Genetic ablation of complement C3 or its inactivation with Cobra Venom Factor (CVF) result in impaired muscle regeneration following cardiotoxin-induced injury in mice. The effect of complement in muscle regeneration is mediated by the alternative pathway and C3a receptor (C3aR) signaling, as deletion of Cfb, a key alternative pathway component, or C3aR leads to impaired regeneration and reduced monocyte/macrophage infiltration. Monocytes from C3aR-deficient mice express a reduced level of adhesion molecules, cytokines and genes associated with antigen processing and presentation. Exo- genous administration of recombinant CCL5 to C3aR-deficient mice rescues the defects in inflammatory cell recruitment and regeneration. These findings reveal an important role of complement C3a in skeletal muscle regeneration, and suggest that manipulating complement system may produce therapeutic benefit in muscle injury and regeneration. 1 Beijing AnZhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China. 2 Department of Pharmacology and Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to W.-C.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Growing Galectin Network in Colon Cancer and Clinical Relevance of Cytoplasmic Galectin-3 Reactivity
    ANTICANCER RESEARCH 33: 3053-3060 (2013) The Growing Galectin Network in Colon Cancer and Clinical Relevance of Cytoplasmic Galectin-3 Reactivity HEATHER DAWSON1, SABINE ANDRÉ2, EVA KARAMITOPOULOU1, INTI ZLOBEC1 and HANS-JOACHIM GABIUS2 1Translational Research, Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; 2Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany Abstract. Background/Aim: Human lectins translate sugar- (4, 5), is the basis of glycosylation response to disease encoded signals of cell surface glycoconjugates into biological processes. Beyond reflecting the impact of such factors, effects, and this is what is known for the adhesion/growth- aberrations in the glycan profile can have a functional regulatory galectins. In addition, the multifunctional members meaning, for protein parameters such as stability (6, 7), and of this group can be intracellular, binding to distinct proteins. for the interplay with tissue lectins (8, 9). Of note, the case The presence of galectins and galectin reactivity were study of how reconstitution of the tumor suppressor exemplarily studied in the present article. Materials and p16INK4a in pancreatic carcinoma cells re-programs the Methods: We combined immuno- and lectin histochemical glycophenotype and at the same time provides a suitable monitoring in colon cancer on tissue arrays. Results: effector (namely the human lectin galectin-1) to translate Intracellular presence of galectins-7 and -9 in colon cancer is this change into induction of anoikis teaches the remarkable detected, extending the previously known set of five expressed lesson of the intimate co-regulation between glycosylation lectins this tumor type. The assumed significance of and lectin expression (10-12).
    [Show full text]