In recent years, mass spectrometry has been widely used to study membrane protein structure and function. However, the application of mass spectrometry to study integral membrane protein is limited because there are many hydrophobic amino acids in the trans-membrane domain of integral membrane protein to cause low sequence coverage detected by LC-MS/MS. Therefore, we used vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC1), a human integral membrane protein, as a model to optimize the digestion conditions of chymotrypsin, and developed an in-gel digestion method of chymotrypsin to improve sequence coverage of membrane protein by mass spectrometry. By exploring the effects of calcium concentration, pH value and buffer system on the percentage of sequence coverage, number of total detected and types of unique peptide, and the size of unique peptide, sequence coverage and peptide diversity could be considered under condition of Tris-HCl buffer with 5-10 mmol/L calcium ion concentration and pH value 8.0-8.5. This method could make the sequence coverage of membrane protein to reach more than 80%. It could be widely used in the study of membrane protein structure and function, identification of interaction site between membrane proteins, and identification of binding site between membrane protein and small molecular drug.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Chymotrypsin/metabolism* ; Digestion ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Trypsin ; Vitamin K Epoxide Reductases

10–30% of patients with pancreatitis can be categorized as idiopathic pancreatitis, and some of them may be due to genetic alterations. Since hereditary pancreatitis develops from pediatric patients with symptoms related to pancreatitis, which usually progresses to chronic pancreatitis around 30 years of age, special attention should be paid to the development of pancreatic cancer in such patients. Up to now, there have been more than 30 genetic alterations associated with pancreatitis. Alterations in protease serine 1 (PRSS1), serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and chymotrypsin C (CTRC) are common, which show diversity according to race and region. It is important to understand the characteristics of Korean patients with idiopathic pancreatitis through genetic studies. The purpose of this article is to review the role of genetic variations in the pathophysiology of idiopathic pancreatitis and to survey the results of Korean studies of idiopathic pancreatitis.
Chymotrypsin ; Continental Population Groups ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreatitis* ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Serine ; Serine Proteases

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify pathogenic variants of PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, and CTRC genes in Korean patients with idiopathic pancreatitis. METHODS: The study population consisted of 116 Korean subjects (65 males, 51 females; mean age, 30.4 yr, range, 1-88 yr) diagnosed with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP), idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis (IRAP), or idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP). We analyzed sequences of targeted regions in the PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR, and CTRC genes, copy numbers of PRSS1 and SPINK1, and clinical data from medical records. RESULTS: We identified three types of pathogenic PRSS1 variants in 11 patients, including p.N29I (n=1), p.R122H (n=1), and p.G208A (n=9). Sixteen patients exhibited heterozygous pathogenic variants of SPINK1, including c.194+2T>C (n=12), p.N34S (n=3), and a novel pathogenic splicing variation c.194+1G>A. A heterozygous CFTR p.Q1352H pathogenic variant was detected in eight patients. One patient carried a heterozygous CTRC p.P249L pathogenic variant, which is a known high-risk variant for pancreatitis. All patients had normal PRSS1 and SPINK1 gene copy numbers. Weight loss occurred more frequently in patients carrying the p.G208A pathogenic variant, while pancreatic duct stones occurred more frequently in patients with the c.194+2T>C pathogenic variant. CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic variants of PRSS1, SPINK1, and CFTR were associated with idiopathic pancreatitis, while pathogenic variants of CTRC were not. Copy number variations of PRSS1 and SPINK1 were not detected.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Carrier Proteins/*genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chymotrypsin/*genetics ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator/*genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis, Chronic/*genetics/pathology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Republic of Korea ; Trypsin/*genetics ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Although the proteasome inhibitor known as bortezomib can modulate the inflammatory process through the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway, the immunomodulatory effect of pre-incubated bortezomib has not been fully evaluated for inflammation by infectious agents. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of bortezomib on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and mediators in macrophage cell lines and on survival in a murine peritonitis sepsis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bortezomib was applied 1 hr before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. The cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) experiments were performed in C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS: Pre-incubation with bortezomib (25 nM or 50 nM) prior to LPS (50 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL) stimulation significantly recovered the number of viable RAW 264.7 cells compared to those samples without pre-incubation. Bortezomib decreased various inflammatory cytokines as well as nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated cells. The 7-day survival rate in mice that had received bortezomib at 0.01 mg/kg concentration 1 hr prior to CLP was significantly higher than in the mice that had only received a normal saline solution of 1 mL 1 hr prior to CLP. In addition, the administration of bortezomib at 0.01 mg/kg concentration 1 hr before CLP resulted in a significant decrease in inflammation of the lung parenchyma. Collectively, pretreatment with bortezomib showed an increase in the survival rate and changes in the levels of inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSION: These results support the possibility of pretreatment with bortezomib as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of overwhelming inflammation, which is a characteristic of severe sepsis.
Animals ; Boronic Acids/administration & dosage/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Cecum/*pathology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Chymotrypsin/metabolism ; Cytokines/*metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Inflammation Mediators/*metabolism ; Ligation ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology ; Lung/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism ; Proteasome Inhibitors/pharmacology ; Punctures ; Pyrazines/administration & dosage/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Sepsis/*drug therapy

PURPOSE: Cockroach feces are known to be rich in IgE-reactive components. Various protease allergens were identified by proteomic analysis of German cockroach fecal extract in a previous study. In this study, we characterized a novel allergen, a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. METHODS: A cDNA sequence homologous to chymotrypsin was obtained by analysis of German cockroach expressed sequence tag (EST) clones. The recombinant chymotrypsins from the German cockroach and house dust mite (Der f 6) were expressed in Escherichia coli using the pEXP5NT/TOPO vector system, and their allergenicity was investigated by ELISA. RESULTS: The deduced amino acid sequence of German cockroach chymotrypsin showed 32.7 to 43.1% identity with mite group 3 (trypsin) and group 6 (chymotrypsin) allergens. Sera from 8 of 28 German cockroach allergy subjects (28.6%) showed IgE binding to the recombinant protein. IgE binding to the recombinant cockroach chymotrypsin was inhibited by house dust mite chymotrypsin Der f 6, while it minimally inhibited the German cockroach whole body extract. CONCLUSIONS: A novel allergen homologous to chymotrypsin was identified from the German cockroach and was cross-reactive with Der f 6.
Allergens ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Blattellidae* ; Chymotrypsin* ; Clone Cells ; Cockroaches ; DNA, Complementary ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Feces ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mites ; Pyroglyphidae ; Sequence Homology ; Serine Proteases

Pig pancreas may be a therapeutic resource for human diabetic patients. However, this potential is hindered by a lack of knowledge of the molecular events of pig pancreas development. In this study, the embryonic day 60, neonate and 6-month protein profiles of pig pancreas were ascertained at using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Twenty four proteins were differentially expressed during pig pancreas development. Among them, 12 spots increased and 7 spots decreased according to development. The expression of 5 protein were highest at birth. Expression of digestive enzymes including trypsin, pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase and pancreatic alpha-amylase was elevated in adults, whereas chymotrypsins were highly expressed in neonates. Proteins that were abundantly expressed during gestation were alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha-fetoprotein and transferrins. Taken together, we found out that several proteins were significantly up- or down- regulated from pig pancreas based on developmental stage. This study will provide basis for understanding development of pig pancreas.
Adult ; alpha-Amylases ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Chymotrypsin ; Electrophoresis* ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lipase ; Mass Spectrometry* ; Pancreas* ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Sus scrofa* ; Transferrin ; Transferrins ; Trypsin

Apoptosis ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Chymotrypsin ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lysosomes ; enzymology ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; pathology

Buckwheat is known as a health food but is one of the major food allergens triggering potentially fatal anaphylaxis in Asia, especially in Japan and Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the characteristic of enzymatic resistance of buckwheat protein and allergenic potential. Enzymatic resistance of buckwheat protein was performed with in vitro digestibility test in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), pH 1.2, using pepsin and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) using chymotrypsin. Reactivity of buckwheat proteins to human IgE was performed using six allergic patients sensitized to buckwheat. Buckwheat's IgE levels were measured using the Phadia UniCAP-system. Buckwheat protein, 16 kDa, still remained after 30 min treatment of pepsin on SDS-PAGE. Even though 16 kDa almost disappeared after 60 min treatment, two out of the six buckwheat patients' sera showed reactivity to hydrolysate after 60 min treatment, indicating that allergenicity still remained. In simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) using chymotrypsin, buckwheat protein, 24 kDa, showed resistance to hydrolysis with chymotrypsin on SDS-PAGE, and still had allergenicity based on the result of ELISA. Our results suggest that buckwheat proteins have strong resistance to enzyme degradation. This may be attributed in part to the allergenic potential of buckwheat. Further study should be continued regarding buckwheat allergy.
Allergens ; Anaphylaxis ; Asia ; Chymotrypsin ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fagopyrum ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolysis ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Japan ; Korea ; Pepsin A ; Proteins

OBJECTIVETo explore the management of fungal pyelonephritis in infants.

METHODData from 5 cases with fungal pyelonephritis, including the clinical situation, laboratory examination, feature of imaging, and treatment were analyzed.

RESULTAll the 5 cases were preterm and low birth weight infants. In 3 cases the disease was unilateral, in 2 cases were bilateral, and acute renal failure occurred. Fungus balls presented on imaging. Urine culture was positive of Candida albicans. Treatment with percutaneous nephrostomy, irrigation and antifungal agent were associated with good prognosis. Only 1 case died. The surviving patients were followed up for 10 - 20 months and the results showed normal growth and development. B-mode ultrasound examination did not show any malformation of the urinary system.

CONCLUSIONFungal pyelonephritis was commom in preterm infants. Candida albicans was the major pathogenic microorganism. Percutaneous nephrostomy and drainage were effective in patients with urinary obstruction in relief of obstruction, early diagnosis and control of infection.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; therapy ; Amphotericin B ; administration & dosage ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Candida albicans ; isolation & purification ; Candidiasis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Chymotrypsin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Pyelonephritis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Ureteral Obstruction ; etiology ; therapy ; Urine ; microbiology

Carnosine (beta-Ala-L-His) has high antioxidant activity, and it is widely used in biology, chemical engineering, medicine and other fields. Its analogue syntheised in non-aqueous solvent and catalyzed by enzymes is high-effective but low-price, so it has great prospect. Here, we synthesized a carnosine analogue imidazole 4(5)-alanylamide-5(4)-carboxylic acid with imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid and L-Alanine as substrates, alpha-chymotrypsin as catalyst in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent. Based on the orthogonal experiments, the optimized synthetic conditions are 4,5-dicarboxylic acid: L-alanine = 1:3 (m/m), alpha-chymotrypsin: substrates (4,5-dicarboxyl acid and L-alanine) = 1:200 (m/m), pH 8 phosphate buffer:THF = 1.6:10 (V/V), reaction temperature 35 degrees C, time 1.5 h. We separated the product with silica gel G60 thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and a new spot appeared at Rf (ratio to front) = 0.81; then the new spot was purified and characterized with UV spectra, high performance liquid chromatogram (HPLC) and 13C NMR (13C nuclear magnetic resonance). The UV spectra shows a new absorption peak at 310 nm, and the peak in 253 nm is largely strengthened; HPLC reserve times are all 4.5 min at 253 nm, 310 nm, 330 nm; 13C NMR shows 8 carbons. Combing with the catalytic mechanism of alpha-chymotrypsin, structure of the analogue is confirmed, i.e., imidazole 4(5)-alanylamide-5(4)-carboxylic acid.
Carnosine ; analogs & derivatives ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Catalysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chymotrypsin ; metabolism ; Furans ; chemistry ; Solvents