Category: Lipopolysaccharide
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Ovalbumin
Ovalbumin (abbreviated OVA) is the main protein found in egg white, making up approximately 55% of the total protein. Ovalbumin displays sequence and three-dimensional homology to the serpin superfamily, but unlike most serpins it is not a serine protease inhibitor. The function of ovalbumin is unknown, although it is presumed to be a storage protein. Storage proteins Storage proteins serve as biological reserves of metal ions and amino acids, used by organisms. They…
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Tobacco-derived 4R-cembranoid confers neuroprotection against LPS-induced hippocampal inflammation in mice (decreases levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines; improves memory function; activates STAT3, Akt1, and CREB phosphorylation; and upregulates the mRNA levels of ORM2, GDNF, and C3) independent of the α7 nicotinic receptor
Rojas-Colón, L.A., Dash, P.K., Morales-Vías, F.A. et al. 4R-cembranoid confers neuroprotection against LPS-induced hippocampal inflammation in mice. J Neuroinflammation 18, 95 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-021-02136-9 LPS: Lipopolysaccharide “4R protects the hippocampus against inflammation and memory impairments triggered by LPS by lowering TNF-α and IL-1β levels and activation of the Akt1 and CREB signaling pathways. Astrocyte proteins involved in neuronal survival also…
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Tobacco-derived 4R-cembranoid protects neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation by modulating microglial cell activation
Fu, Hefei et al. “4R-cembranoid protects neuronal cells from oxygen-glucose deprivation by modulating microglial cell activation.” Brain research bulletin vol. 179 (2022): 74-82. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.12.007 In the search for novel compounds to treat neurodegenerative diseases, we found that 4R-cembranoid, an extract from tobacco leaves, may be a lead compound with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. 4R belongs to the…
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Although RES is commonly associated exclusively with macrophages, recent research has revealed that the cells that accumulate intravenously administered vital stain belong to a highly specialised group of cells called scavenger endothelial cells (SECs), that are not macrophages
In anatomy the term “reticuloendothelial system” (abbreviated RES), often associated nowadays with the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), was originally launched by the beginning of the 20th century to denote a system of specialised cells that effectively clear colloidal vital stains (so called because they stain living cells) from the blood circulation. The term is still used today, but its meaning has changed…
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Aliivibrio fischeri (aka Vibrio fischeri), a bioluminescent bacteria and a glowing squid
Aliivibrio fischeri (also called Vibrio fischeri) is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium found globally in marine environments. This species has bioluminescent properties, and is found predominantly in symbiosis with various marine animals, such as the Hawaiian bobtail squid. It is heterotrophic, oxidase-positive, and motile by means of a single polar flagella. Free-living A. fischeri cells survive on decaying organic matter. The bacterium is a key research organism for examination of microbial bioluminescence, quorum sensing, and bacterial-animal symbiosis. It is named…
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Peptidoglycan or murein is a unique large macromolecule, a polysaccharide, consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like peptidoglycan layer outside the plasma membrane
Not to be confused with glycopeptide, proteoglycan, or glycoprotein Peptidoglycan or murein is a unique large macromolecule, a polysaccharide, consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like peptidoglycan layer outside the plasma membrane, the rigid cell wall (murein sacculus) characteristic of most bacteria (domain Bacteria). The sugar component consists of alternating residues of β-(1,4) linked N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM). Attached to the N-acetylmuramic acid is an oligopeptide chain made of three to five amino acids.…
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Erich Traub (1906 – 1985) German veterinarian, scientist and virologist who specialized in foot-and-mouth disease, Rinderpest and Newcastle disease
Erich Traub worked directly for Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel (SS), as the lab chief of the Nazis’ leading bio-weapons facility on Riems Island. Note: Riems is home to the oldest virological research institution in the world, now called the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which was built by Friedrich Loeffler in 1910. Loeffler, a professor at the University of Greifswald, ran filtration tests in 1898 and found…
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Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO) is involved in tryptophan metabolism
Indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO EC 1.13.11.52) is a heme-containing enzyme physiologically expressed in a number of tissues and cells, such as the small intestine, lungs, female genital tract or placenta. In humans is encoded by the IDO1 gene. IDO is involved in tryptophan metabolism. It is one of three enzymes that catalyze the first and rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway, the O2-dependent oxidation of L-tryptophan to N-formylkynurenine, the others being indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase 2 (IDO2) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase…
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Sterol carrier proteins (aka nonspecific lipid transfer proteins)
These proteins are different from plant nonspecific lipid transfer proteins but structurally similar to small proteins of unknown function from Thermus thermophilus. This domain is involved in binding sterols. The human sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP2) is a basic protein that is believed to participate in the intracellular transport of cholesterol and various other lipids. Human…
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Glucuronic acid is a uronic acid that was first isolated from urine
Glucuronic acid (from Greek γλεῦκος “wine, must” and οὖρον “urine“) is a uronic acid that was first isolated from urine (hence the name”uronic acid”). It is found in many gums such as gum arabic (approx. 18%), xanthan, and kombucha tea and is important for the metabolism of microorganisms, plants and animals. Not to be confused with Gluconic acid (Gluconic acid occurs naturally in fruit, honey, and wine. As a food additive E574, it is now known as an acidity regulator.…
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Glycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme hydrolysis, which causes the sugar part to be broken off, making the chemical available for use. Many such plant glycosides are used as medications.…
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List of human clusters of differentiation (OR CD) MOLECULES
* = group; ** = not listed on hcdm CD1* MHC-like molecule that presents lipid molecules CD1a CD1a (Cluster of Differentiation 1a), or T-cell surface glycoprotein CD1a, is a human protein encoded by the CD1A gene. An antigen-presenting protein that binds self and non-self lipid and glycolipid antigens and presents them to T-cell receptors on natural killer T-cells. CD1b T-cell surface glycoprotein CD1b. Expressed on cortical thymocytes, certain T-cell leukemias…
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What Are Plant Matrix Metalloproteinases?
Plant matrix metalloproteinases are metalloproteins and zinc enzymes found in plants. Matrix Metalloproteinase Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc endopeptidases, commonly called metzincins. MMP enzymes represent an ancient family of proteins with major similarities in genetic make-up that are present in a range of diverse organisms from unicellular bacteria to multicellular vertebrates and invertebrates. The superfamily is distinguished due to its motif consisting of three histidines bonded to…