Refine
Year of publication
Is part of the Bibliography
- yes (35)
Keywords
- LC-MS/MS (8)
- α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (8)
- Prunus avium L. (6)
- Flower buds (4)
- SDS-PAGE (4)
- wheat (4)
- Abscisic acid (3)
- Doehlert design (3)
- Dormancy (3)
- bioactive peptides (3)
This study examined changes in sweet cherry buds of ‘Summit’ cultivar in four seasons (2011/12–2014/15) with respect to the nitrogen (N) content and the profile of eight free amino acids (asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), isoleucine (Ile), glutamine (Gln), glutamic acid (Glu), arginine (Arg), alanine (Ala), histidine (His)). The presented results are to our knowledge the first under natural conditions in fruit tree orchards with a high temporal resolution from the dormant stage until cluster development. The N content in the buds from October, during endo- and ecodormancy until the beginning of ontogenetic development was a relatively stable parameter in each of the four seasons. The N accumulation into the buds began after ‘swollen bud’ and significant differences were visible at ‘green tip’ with an N content of 3.24, 3.12, 3.08, 2.40 which increased markedly to the mean of ‘tight’ and ‘open cluster’ by 3.77%, 3.78%, 3.44% and 3.10% in 2012–2015, respectively. In the buds, levels of asparagine were higher (up to 44 mg g−1 DW−1) than aspartic acid (up to 2 mg g−1 DW−1) and aspartic acid higher than isoleucine (up to 0.83 mg g−1 DW−1). Levels of glutamine were higher (up to 25 mg g−1 DW−1) than glutamic acid (up to 20 mg g−1 DW−1). The course of the arginine content was higher in 2011/12 compared to 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 which showed only slight differences. The alanine content in the buds was denoted in the four seasons only by relatively minor changes. The histidine content was higher in 2011/12 and 2012/13 compared to 2013/14 and 2014/15 which showed a comparable pattern. For 6 amino acids (Asn, Asp, Ile, Glu, Arg, Ala), the highest content was observed in 2012/13, the warmest period between swollen bud and open cluster. However in 2014/15, the season with the lowest mean temperature of 8.8 °C, only the content of Gln was the lowest. It was not possible to explain any seasonal differences in the amino acid content by environmental factors (air temperature) on the basis of few seasons. From none of the measured free amino acids could a clear determination of the date of endodormancy release (t1) or the beginning of the ontogenetic development (t1*) be derived. Therefore, these amino acids are no suitable markers to improve phenological models for the beginning of cherry blossom.
The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.
The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.
The objective of this work was to investigate the potential effect of cereal α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) on growth parameters and selective digestive enzymes of Tenebrio molitor L. larvae. The approach consisted of feeding the larvae with wheat, sorghum and rice meals containing different levels and composition of α-amylase/trypsin inhibitors. The developmental and biochemical characteristics of the larvae were assessed over feeding periods of 5 h, 5 days and 10 days, and the relative abundance of α-amylase and selected proteases in larvae were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, weight gains ranged from 21% to 42% after five days of feeding. The larval death rate significantly increased in all groups after 10 days of feeding (p < 0.05), whereas the pupation rate was about 25% among larvae fed with rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Siyazan/Esperya wheat meals, and only 8% and 14% among those fed with Damougari and S35 sorghum meals. As determined using the Lowry method, the protein contents of the sodium phosphate extracts ranged from 7.80 ± 0.09 to 9.42 ± 0.19 mg/mL and those of the ammonium bicarbonate/urea reached 19.78 ± 0.16 to 37.47 ± 1.38 mg/mL. The total protein contents of the larvae according to the Kjeldahl method ranged from 44.0 and 49.9 g/100 g. The relative abundance of α-amylase, CLIP domain-containing serine protease, modular serine protease zymogen and C1 family cathepsin significantly decreased in the larvae, whereas dipeptidylpeptidase I and chymotrypsin increased within the first hours after feeding (p < 0.05). Trypsin content was found to be constant independently of time or feed material. Finally, based on the results we obtained, it was difficult to substantively draw conclusions on the likely effects of meal ATI composition on larval developmental characteristics, but their effects on the digestive enzyme expression remain relevant.
Monitoring the apple polyphenol oxidase-modulated adduct formation of phenolic and amino compounds
(2016)
Minimally processed fruit products such as smoothies are increasingly coming into demand. However, they are often combined with dairy ingredients. In this combination, phenolic compounds, polyphenoloxidases, and amino compounds could interact. In this work, a model approach is presented where apple serves as a source for a high polyphenoloxidase activity for modulating the reactions. The polyphenoloxidase activity ranged from 128 to 333 nakt/mL in different apple varieties. From these, ‘Braeburn’ was found to provide the highest enzymatic activity. The formation and stability of resulting chromogenic conjugates was investigated. The results show that such adducts are not stable and possible degradation mechanisms leading to follow-up products formed are proposed. Finally, apple extracts were used to modify proteins and their functional properties characterized. There were retaining antioxidant properties inherent to phenolic compounds after adduct formation. Consequently, such interactions may also be utilized to improve the textural quality of food products.
The detection and quantification of nut allergens remains a major challenge. The liquid chroma-tography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is emerging as one of the most widely used methods, but sample preparation prior to the analysis is still a key issue. The objective of this work was to establish optimized protocols for extraction, tryptic digestion and LC-MS analysis of almond, cashew, hazelnut, peanut, pistachio and walnut samples. Ammonium bicar-bonate/urea extraction (Ambi/urea), SDS buffer extraction (SDS), polyvinylpolypyrroli-done (PVPP) extraction, trichloroacetic acid/acetone extraction (TCA/acetone) and chloro-form/methanol/sodium chloride precipitation (CM/NaCl) as well as the performances of con-ventional tryptic digestion and microwave-assisted breakdown were investigated. Overall, the protein extraction yields ranged from 14.9 ± 0.5 (almond extract from CM/NaCl) to 76.5 ± 1.3% (hazelnut extract from Ambi/urea). Electrophoretic profiling showed that the SDS extraction method clearly presented a high amount of extracted proteins in the range of 0–15 kDa, 15–35 kDa, 35–70 kDa and 70–250 kDa compared to the other methods. The linearity of the LC-MS methods in the range of 0 to 0.4 µg equivalent defatted nut flour was assessed and recovery of internal standards GWGG and DPLNV(d8)LKPR ranged from 80 to 120%. The identified bi-omarkers peptides were used to relatively quantifier selected allergenic protein form the inves-tigated nut samples. Considering the overall results, it can be concluded that SDS buffer allows a better protein extraction from almond, peanut and walnut samples while PVPP buffer is more appropriate for cashew, pistachio and hazelnut samples. It was also found that conventional overnight digestion is indicated for cashew, pistachio and hazelnut samples, while microwave assisted tryptic digestion is recommended for almond, hazelnut and peanut extracts.
A suitable vehicle for integration of bioactive plant constituents is proposed. It involves modification of proteins using phenolics and applying these for protection of labile constituents. It dissects the noncovalent and covalent interactions of beta-lactoglobulin with coffee-specific phenolics. Alkaline and polyphenol oxidase modulated covalent reactions were compared. Tryptic digestion combined with MALDI-TOF-MS provided tentative allocation of the modification type and site in the protein, and an in silico modeling of modified beta-lactoglobulin is proposed. The modification delivers proteins with enhanced antioxidative properties. Changed structural properties and differences in solubility, surface hydrophobicity, and emulsification were observed. The polyphenol oxidase modulated reaction provides a modified beta-lactoglobulin with a high antioxidative power, is thermally more stable, requires less energy to unfold, and, when emulsified with lutein esters, exhibits their higher stability against UV light. Thus, adaptation of this modification provides an innovative approach for functionalizing proteins and their uses in the food industry.
The immunomodulatory FTY720 (fingolimod) is presently approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. It is a prodrug that acts by modulating sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor signaling. In this study, we have developed and characterized two novel oxazolo-oxazole derivatives of FTY720, ST-968 and the oxy analog ST-1071, which require no preceding activating phosphorylation, and proved to be active in intact cells and triggered S1P(1) and S1P(3), but not S1P(2), receptor internalization as a result of receptor activation.
Functionally, ST-968 and ST-1071 acted similar to FTY720 to abrogate S1P-triggered chemotaxis of mouse splenocytes, mouse T cells and human U937 cells, and reduced TNFa- and LPS-stimulated endothelial cell permeability. The compounds also reduced TNF alpha-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression, but restored TNF alpha-mediated downregulation of PECAM-1 mRNA expression.
In an in vivo setting, the application of ST-968 or ST-1071 to mice resulted in a reduction of blood lymphocytes and significantly reduced the clinical symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 mice comparable to FTY720 either by prophylactic or therapeutic treatment. In parallel to the reduced clinical symptoms, infiltration of immune cells in the brain was strongly reduced, and in isolated tissues of brain and spinal cord, the mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, as well as of matrix metalloproteinase-9 were reduced by all compounds, whereas PECAM-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase TIMP-1 were upregulated.
In summary, the data suggest that these novel butterfly derivatives of FTY720 could have considerable implication for future therapies of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The application of technical enzymes is a potential tool in modulating the dough and baking quality of cereal products. No endogenous amylases (alpha- and beta-forms) are present in mature wheat grains; they may be synthesized or activated during germination. Hence, microbial alpha-amylases are added to the dough, being resistant to the endogenous alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors. Here, we report on the initial identification of two technical enzymes from a commercial sample based on an in-gel tryptic digestion coupled with MALDI-MS analysis. The primary component of the protein fraction with 51.3 kDa was alpha-amylase from Aspergillus species. A second major protein with 24.8 kDa was identified as endo-1,4-xylanase from Thermomyces lanuginosus. In the following experimental work up, a targeted proteomics approach utilizing the combination of specific proteolytic digestion of the added amylase and xylanase in wheat flour, dough or baked products, solid phase extraction of released peptides and their detection using LC-MS/MS was optimized. The targeted (MRM) MS/MS peptide signals showed that the peptide "ALSSALHER" (MW = 983) originating from amylase and "GWNPGLNAR" (MW = 983) from xylanase can be used to identify the corresponding technical enzymes added. Consequently, locally available baked products were tested and found to contain these enzymes as supplementary ingredients. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
This study addresses the interactions of coffee storage proteins with coffee-specific phenolic compounds. Protein profiles, of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (var robusta) were compared. Major Phenolic compounds were extracted and analyzed with appropriate methods. The polyphenol-protein interactions during protein extraction have been addressed by different analytical setups [reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays], with focus directed toward identification of covalent adduct formation. The results indicate that C. arabica proteins are more susceptible to these interactions and the polyphenol oxidase activity seems to be a crucial factor for the formation of these addition products. A tentative allocation of the modification type and site in the protein has been attempted. Thus, the first available in silico modeling of modified coffee proteins is reported. The extent of these modifications may contribute to the structure and function of "coffee melanoidins" and are discussed in the context of coffee flavor formation.