Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 116 in total

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  1. Zainudin NA, Condon B, De Bruyne L, Van Poucke C, Bi Q, Li W, et al.
    Mol Plant Microbe Interact, 2015 Oct;28(10):1130-41.
    PMID: 26168137 DOI: 10.1094/MPMI-03-15-0068-R
    The Sfp-type 4'-phosphopantetheinyl transferase Ppt1 is required for activation of nonribosomal peptide synthetases, including α-aminoadipate reductase (AAR) for lysine biosynthesis and polyketide synthases, enzymes that biosynthesize peptide and polyketide secondary metabolites, respectively. Deletion of the PPT1 gene, from the maize pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus and the rice pathogen Cochliobolus miyabeanus, yielded strains that were significantly reduced in virulence to their hosts. In addition, ppt1 mutants of C. heterostrophus race T and Cochliobolus victoriae were unable to biosynthesize the host-selective toxins (HST) T-toxin and victorin, respectively, as judged by bioassays. Interestingly, ppt1 mutants of C. miyabeanus were shown to produce tenfold higher levels of the sesterterpene-type non-HST ophiobolin A, as compared with the wild-type strain. The ppt1 strains of all species were also reduced in tolerance to oxidative stress and iron depletion; both phenotypes are associated with inability to produce extracellular siderophores biosynthesized by the nonribosomal peptide synthetase Nps6. Colony surfaces were hydrophilic, a trait previously associated with absence of C. heterostrophus Nps4. Mutants were decreased in asexual sporulation and C. heterostrophus strains were female-sterile in sexual crosses; the latter phenotype was observed previously with mutants lacking Nps2, which produces an intracellular siderophore. As expected, mutants were albino, since they cannot produce the polyketide melanin and were auxotrophic for lysine because they lack an AAR.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics*; Fungal Proteins/metabolism
  2. Noorbatcha IA, Sultan AM, Salleh HM, Amid A
    Protein J, 2013 Apr;32(4):309-16.
    PMID: 23636517 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-013-9489-y
    Molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the dynamic differences between native Aspergillus niger PhyA phytase and a mutant with 20 % greater thermostability. Atomic root mean square deviation, radius of gyration, and number of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges are examined to determine thermostability factors. The results suggest that, among secondary structure elements, loops have the most impact on the thermal stability of A. niger phytase. In addition, the location rather than the number of hydrogen bonds is found to have an important contribution to thermostability. The results also show that salt bridges may have stabilizing or destabilizing effect on the enzyme and influence its thermostability accordingly.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/metabolism; Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
  3. Chew SY, Brown AJP, Lau BYC, Cheah YK, Ho KL, Sandai D, et al.
    J Biomed Sci, 2021 Jan 02;28(1):1.
    PMID: 33388061 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00700-8
    BACKGROUND: Emergence of Candida glabrata, which causes potential life-threatening invasive candidiasis, has been widely associated with high morbidity and mortality. In order to cause disease in vivo, a robust and highly efficient metabolic adaptation is crucial for the survival of this fungal pathogen in human host. In fact, reprogramming of the carbon metabolism is believed to be indispensable for phagocytosed C. glabrata within glucose deprivation condition during infection.

    METHODS: In this study, the metabolic responses of C. glabrata under acetate growth condition was explored using high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic approaches.

    RESULTS: Collectively, a total of 1482 transcripts (26.96%) and 242 proteins (24.69%) were significantly up- or down-regulated. Both transcriptome and proteome data revealed that the regulation of alternative carbon metabolism in C. glabrata resembled other fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, with up-regulation of many proteins and transcripts from the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis, namely isocitrate lyase (ICL1), malate synthase (MLS1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) and fructose 1,6-biphosphatase (FBP1). In the absence of glucose, C. glabrata shifted its metabolism from glucose catabolism to anabolism of glucose intermediates from the available carbon source. This observation essentially suggests that the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis are potentially critical for the survival of phagocytosed C. glabrata within the glucose-deficient macrophages.

    CONCLUSION: Here, we presented the first global metabolic responses of C. glabrata to alternative carbon source using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. These findings implicated that reprogramming of the alternative carbon metabolism during glucose deprivation could enhance the survival and persistence of C. glabrata within the host.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/metabolism*
  4. Yusof NA, Hashim NH, Beddoe T, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Bakar FD, et al.
    Cell Stress Chaperones, 2016 Jul;21(4):707-15.
    PMID: 27154490 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-016-0696-2
    The ability of eukaryotes to adapt to an extreme range of temperatures is critically important for survival. Although adaptation to extreme high temperatures is well understood, reflecting the action of molecular chaperones, it is unclear whether these molecules play a role in survival at extremely low temperatures. The recent genome sequencing of the yeast Glaciozyma antarctica, isolated from Antarctic sea ice near Casey Station, provides an opportunity to investigate the role of molecular chaperones in adaptation to cold temperatures. We isolated a G. antarctica homologue of small heat shock protein 20 (HSP20), GaSGT1, and observed that the GaSGT1 mRNA expression in G. antarctica was markedly increased following culture exposure at low temperatures. Additionally, we demonstrated that GaSGT1 overexpression in Escherichia coli protected these bacteria from exposure to both high and low temperatures, which are lethal for growth. The recombinant GaSGT1 retained up to 60 % of its native luciferase activity after exposure to luciferase-denaturing temperatures. These results suggest that GaSGT1 promotes cell thermotolerance and employs molecular chaperone-like activity toward temperature assaults.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/metabolism*; Fungal Proteins/chemistry
  5. Razak NN, Annuar MS
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2014 Mar;172(6):2932-44.
    PMID: 24464534 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-014-0731-7
    Free laccase and fungal biomass from white-rot fungi were compared in the thermokinetics study of the laccase-catalyzed decolorization of an azo dye, i.e., Trypan Blue. The decolorization in both systems followed a first-order kinetics. The apparent first-order rate constant, k1', value increases with temperature. Apparent activation energy of decolorization was similar for both systems at ∼ 22 kJ mol(-1), while energy for laccase inactivation was 18 kJ mol(-1). Although both systems were endothermic, fungal biomass showed higher enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy changes for the decolorization compared to free laccase. On the other hand, free laccase showed reaction spontaneity over a wider range of temperature (ΔT = 40 K) as opposed to fungal biomass (ΔT = 15 K). Comparison of entropy change (ΔS) values indicated metabolism of the dye by the biomass.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
  6. Gumel AM, Annuar MS, Heidelberg T, Chisti Y
    Bioresour Technol, 2011 Oct;102(19):8727-32.
    PMID: 21816608 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.07.024
    Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of 6-O-glucosyldecanoate from d-glucose and decanoic acid was performed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a mixture of DMSO and tert-butanol and tert-butanol alone with a decreasing order of polarity. The highest conversion yield (> 65%) of decanoic acid was obtained in the blended solvent of intermediate polarity mainly because it could dissolve relatively large amounts of both the reactants. The reaction obeyed Michaelis-Menten type of kinetics. The affinity of the enzyme towards the limiting substrate (decanoic acid) was not affected by the polarity of the solvent, but increased significantly with temperature. The esterification reaction was endothermic with activation energy in the range of 60-67 kJ mol⁻¹. Based on the Gibbs energy values, in the solvent blend of DMSO and tert-butanol the position of the equilibrium was shifted more towards the products compared to the position in pure solvents. Monoester of glucose was the main product of the reaction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins
  7. Engku Nasrullah Satiman EAF, Ahmad H, Ramzi AB, Abdul Wahab R, Kaderi MA, Wan Harun WHA, et al.
    J Oral Pathol Med, 2020 Oct;49(9):835-841.
    PMID: 32170981 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13014
    Oral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with many known risk factors including tobacco smoking, chronic alcoholism, poor oral hygiene, unhealthy dietary habits and microbial infection. Previous studies have highlighted Candida albicans host tissue infection as a risk factor in the initiation and progression of oral cancer. C albicans invasion induces several cancerous hallmarks, such as activation of proto-oncogenes, induction of DNA damage and overexpression of inflammatory signalling pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these responses remain unclear. A recently discovered fungal toxin peptide, candidalysin, has been reported as an essential molecule in epithelial damage and host recognition of C albicans infection. Candidalysin has a clear role in inflammasome activation and induction of cell damage. Several inflammatory molecules such as IL-6, IL-17, NLRP3 and GM-CSF have been linked to carcinogenesis. Candidalysin is encoded by the ECE1 gene, which has been linked to virulence factors of C albicans such as adhesion, biofilm formation and filamentation properties. This review discusses the recent epidemiological burden of oral cancer and highlights the significance of the ECE1 gene and the ECE1 protein breakdown product, candidalysin in oral malignancy. The immunological and molecular mechanisms behind oral malignancy induced by inflammation and the role of the toxic fungal peptide candidalysin in oral carcinogenesis are explored. With increasing evidence associating C albicans with oral carcinoma, identifying the possible fungal pathogenicity factors including the role of candidalysin can assist in efforts to understand the link between C albicans infection and carcinogenesis, and pave the way for research into therapeutic potentials.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins
  8. Yap HY, Chooi YH, Firdaus-Raih M, Fung SY, Ng ST, Tan CS, et al.
    BMC Genomics, 2014;15:635.
    PMID: 25073817 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-635
    The sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden or Tiger milk mushroom (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a valuable folk medicine for indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia. Despite the increasing interest in this ethnobotanical mushroom, very little is known about the molecular and genetic basis of its medicinal and nutraceutical properties.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/metabolism
  9. Mohd-Assaad N, McDonald BA, Croll D
    Environ Microbiol, 2019 08;21(8):2677-2695.
    PMID: 30838748 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14583
    Plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to manipulate the host and facilitate infection. Cognate hosts trigger strong defence responses upon detection of these effectors. Consequently, pathogens and hosts undergo rapid coevolutionary arms races driven by adaptive evolution of effectors and receptors. Because of their high rate of turnover, most effectors are thought to be species-specific and the evolutionary trajectories are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the necrosis-inducing protein 1 (NIP1) effector in the multihost pathogen genus Rhynchosporium. We retraced the evolutionary history of the NIP1 locus using whole-genome assemblies of 146 strains covering four closely related species. NIP1 orthologues were present in all species but the locus consistently segregated presence-absence polymorphisms suggesting long-term balancing selection. We also identified previously unknown paralogues of NIP1 that were shared among multiple species and showed substantial copy-number variation within R. commune. The NIP1A paralogue was under significant positive selection suggesting that NIP1A is the dominant effector variant coevolving with host immune receptors. Consistent with this prediction, we found that copy number variation at NIP1A had a stronger effect on virulence than NIP1B. Our analyses unravelled the origins and diversification mechanisms of a pathogen effector family shedding light on how pathogens gain adaptive genetic variation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/physiology
  10. Salleh AB, Taib M, Basri M, Ampon K, Yunus WM, Razak CN
    Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1996 Oct 12;799:328-31.
    PMID: 8958097
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/chemistry
  11. Mostert D, Molina AB, Daniells J, Fourie G, Hermanto C, Chao CP, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(7):e0181630.
    PMID: 28719631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181630
    Fusarium oxysporum formae specialis cubense (Foc) is a soil-borne fungus that causes Fusarium wilt, which is considered to be the most destructive disease of bananas. The fungus is believed to have evolved with its host in the Indo-Malayan region, and from there it was spread to other banana-growing areas with infected planting material. The diversity and distribution of Foc in Asia was investigated. A total of 594 F. oxysporum isolates collected in ten Asian countries were identified by vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) analysis. To simplify the identification process, the isolates were first divided into DNA lineages using PCR-RFLP analysis. Six lineages and 14 VCGs, representing three Foc races, were identified in this study. The VCG complex 0124/5 was most common in the Indian subcontinent, Vietnam and Cambodia; whereas the VCG complex 01213/16 dominated in the rest of Asia. Sixty-nine F. oxysporum isolates in this study did not match any of the known VCG tester strains. In this study, Foc VCG diversity in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka was determined for the first time and VCGs 01221 and 01222 were first reported from Cambodia and Vietnam. New associations of Foc VCGs and banana cultivars were recorded in all the countries where the fungus was collected. Information obtained in this study could help Asian countries to develop and implement regulatory measures to prevent the incursion of Foc into areas where it does not yet occur. It could also facilitate the deployment of disease resistant banana varieties in infested areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics
  12. Lok B, Adam MAA, Kamal LZM, Chukwudi NA, Sandai R, Sandai D
    Med Mycol, 2021 Feb 04;59(2):115-125.
    PMID: 32944760 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa080
    Candida albicans is a commensal yeast commonly found on the skin and in the body. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the fungi could cause local and systemic infections. The carbon source available plays an important role in the establishment of C. albicans infections. The fungi's ability to assimilate a variety of carbon sources plays a vital role in its colonization, and by extension, its fitness and pathogenicity, as it often inhabits niches that are glucose-limited but rich in alternative carbon sources. A difference in carbon sources affect the growth and mating of C. albicans, which contributes to its pathogenicity as proliferation helps the fungi colonize its environment. The carbon source also affects its metabolism and signaling pathways, which are integral parts of the fungi's fitness and pathogenicity. As a big percentage of the carbon assimilated by C. albicans goes to cell wall biogenesis, the availability of different carbon sources will result in cell walls with variations in rigidity, adhesion, and surface hydrophobicity. In addition to the biofilm formation of the fungi, the carbon source also influences whether the fungi grow in yeast- or mycelial-form. Both forms play different roles in C. albicans's infection process. A better understanding of the role of the carbon sources in C. albicans's pathogenicity would contribute to more effective treatment solutions for fungal infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/metabolism
  13. Barakat A, Ghabbour HA, Al-Majid AM, Soliman SM, Ali M, Mabkhot YN, et al.
    Molecules, 2015;20(7):13240-63.
    PMID: 26197312 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200713240
    The synthesis of 2,6-bis(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)cyclohexanone 1 is described. The molecular structure of the title compound 1 was confirmed by NMR, FT-IR, MS, CHN microanalysis, and X-ray crystallography. The molecular structure was also investigated by a set of computational studies and found to be in good agreement with the experimental data obtained from the various spectrophotometric techniques. The antimicrobial activity and molecular docking of the synthesized compound was investigated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
  14. Lian W, Li D, Zhang L, Wang W, Faiza M, Tan CP, et al.
    Enzyme Microb Technol, 2018 Oct;117:56-63.
    PMID: 30037552 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2018.06.007
    Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-rich triacylglycerols (TAG) have received significant attention owing to their health promoting properties. In this study, CLA-rich TAG were successfully synthesized by an immobilized mutant lipase (MAS1-H108A)-catalyzed esterification of CLA-rich fatty acids and glycerol under vacuum. MAS1-H108A was first immobilized onto ECR1030 resin. Results showed that the lipase/support ratio of 41 mg/g was suitable for the immobilization and the thermostability of immobilized MAS1-H108A was greatly enhanced. Subsequently, the immobilized MAS1-H108A was employed for the synthesis of CLA-rich TAG and 95.21% TAG with 69.19% CLA was obtained under the optimized conditions. The TAG content (95.21%) obtained by immobilized MAS1-H108A is the reported highest value thus far, which was significantly higher than that (9.26%) obtained by Novozym 435 under the same conditions. Although the TAG content comparable to the results obtained in this study could also be obtained by Novozym 435, the used enzyme amount is approximately 5-fold of the immobilized MAS1-H108A. Additionally, the immobilized MAS1-H108A exhibited excellent recyclability during esterification retaining 95.11% of its initial activity after 10 batches. Overall, such immobilized mutant lipase with superior esterification activity and recyclability has the potential to be used in oils and fats industry.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/metabolism*; Fungal Proteins/chemistry
  15. Lam KW, Syahida A, Ul-Haq Z, Abdul Rahman MB, Lajis NH
    Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2010 Jun 15;20(12):3755-9.
    PMID: 20493688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.04.067
    A series of 16 oxadiazole and triazolothiadiazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors. Five derivatives were found to display high inhibition on the tyrosinase activity ranging from 0.87 to 1.49 microM. Compound 5 exhibited highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC(50) value of 0.87+/-0.16 microM. The in silico protein-ligand docking using AUTODOCK 4.1 was successfully performed on compound 5 with significant binding energy value of -5.58 kcal/mol. The docking results also showed that the tyrosinase inhibition might be due to the metal chelating effect by the presence of thione functionality in compounds 1-5. Further studies revealed that the presence of hydrophobic group such as cycloamine derivatives played a major role in the inhibition. Piperazine moiety in compound 5 appeared to be involved in an extensive hydrophobic contact and a 2.9A hydrogen bonding with residue Glu 182 in the active site.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
  16. Ali SM, Raman J, Lakshmanan H, Ling TC, Phan CW, Tan YS, et al.
    Int J Med Mushrooms, 2018;20(11):1021-1030.
    PMID: 30806227 DOI: 10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018028307
    Lentinus edodes (shiitake mushroom) has exhibited fibrinolytic activity. We synthesized and characterized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using protein precipitated from the mushroom. We also investigated the fibrinolytic activity of the SeNPs. The proteins from a crude extract of L. edodes were recovered through the use of aqueous 2-phase separation, and these we used as the capping agent in SeNP biosynthesis. We characterized the SeNPs using UV-visible spectrophotometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size distribution analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The fibrinolytic capability of the SeNPs was tested through an in vitro fibrin plate assay. The UV-visible spectra showed maximal absorbance at 220 nm. FESEM images showed that the SeNPs were dispersed and did not clump. The TEM images revealed a spherical shape and average size of the SeNPs. The particle size distribution analysis confirmed the mean size of the SeNPs at 64.53 nm. A strong signal for the presence of selenium was observed in the EDX analysis. The FT-IR spectrum revealed the involvement of protein functional groups in the reduction of sel-enite. Overall, the SeNPs capped with protein from shiitake mushroom were effective as an in vitro fibrinolytic agent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/pharmacology*; Fungal Proteins/chemistry
  17. Serri NA, Kamaruddin AH, Long WS
    Bioprocess Biosyst Eng, 2006 Oct;29(4):253-60.
    PMID: 16868763
    Immobilized Candida rugosa lipase was used for the synthesis of citronellyl laurate from citronellol and lauric acid. Screening of different types of support (Amberlite MB-1 and Celite) for immobilization of lipase and solvent (n-hexane, n-heptane, and iso-octane) and optimization of reaction conditions, such as catalyst loading, effect of substrates molar ratio and temperature, have been studied. The maximum enzyme activity was obtained at 310 K. The immobilized C. rugosa lipase onto Amberlite MB-1 support was found to be the best support with a conversion of 89% of citronellyl laurate ester in iso-octane compared to Celite 545. Deactivation of C. rugosa lipase at 313, 318 and 323 K were observed. Ordered bi bi mechanism with dead end complex of lauric acid was found to fit the initial rate data and the kinetic parameters were obtained by non-linear regression analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
  18. Tejo BA, Salleh AB, Pleiss J
    J Mol Model, 2004 Dec;10(5-6):358-66.
    PMID: 15597204
    The effect of organic solvent on the structure and dynamics of proteins was investigated by multiple molecular dynamics simulations (1 ns each) of Candida rugosa lipase in water and in carbon tetrachloride. The choice of solvent had only a minor structural effect. For both solvents the open and the closed conformation of the lipase were near to their experimental X-ray structures (C(alpha) rms deviation 1-1.3 A). However, the solvents had a highly specific effect on the flexibility of solvent-exposed side chains: polar side chains were more flexible in water, but less flexible in organic solvent. In contrast, hydrophobic residues were more flexible in organic solvent, but less flexible in water. As a major effect solvent changed the dynamics of the lid, a mobile element involved in activation of the lipase, which fluctuated as a rigid body about its average position. While in water the deviations were about 1.6 A, organic solvent reduced flexibility to 0.9 A. This increase rigidity was caused by two salt bridges (Lys85-Asp284, Lys75-Asp79) and a stable hydrogen bond (Lys75-Asn 292) in organic solvent. Thus, organic solvents stabilize the lid but render the side chains in the hydrophobic substrate-binding site more mobile. [figure: see text]. Superimposition of open (black, PDB entry 1CRL) and closed (gray, PDB entry 1TRH) conformers of C. rugosa lipase. The mobile lid is indicated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/drug effects; Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
  19. El-Boulifi N, Ashari SE, Serrano M, Aracil J, Martínez M
    Enzyme Microb Technol, 2014 Feb 5;55:128-32.
    PMID: 24411455 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2013.10.009
    The aim of this work was the synthesis of a novel hydroxyl-fatty acid derivative of kojic acid rich in kojic acid monoricinoleate (KMR) which can be widely used in the cosmetic and food industry. The synthesis of KMR was carried out by lipase-catalysed esterification of ricinoleic and kojic acids in solvent-free system. Three immobilized lipases were tested and the best KMR yields were attained with Lipozyme TL IM and Novozym 435. Since Lipozyme TL IM is the cheapest, it was selected to optimize the reaction conditions. The optimal reaction conditions were 80 °C for the temperature, 1:1 for the alcohol/acid molar ratio, 600 rpm for stirring speed and 7.8% for the catalyst concentration. Under these conditions, the reaction was scaled up in a 5×10⁻³ m³ stirred tank reactor. ¹H-¹³C HMBC-NMR showed that the primary hydroxyl group of kojic acid was regioselectively esterified. The KMR has more lipophilicity than kojic acid and showed antioxidant activity that improves the oxidation stability of biodiesel.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/metabolism
  20. Shah SH, Kar RK, Asmawi AA, Rahman MB, Murad AM, Mahadi NM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2012;7(11):e49788.
    PMID: 23209600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049788
    Exotic functions of antifreeze proteins (AFP) and antifreeze glycopeptides (AFGP) have recently been attracted with much interest to develop them as commercial products. AFPs and AFGPs inhibit ice crystal growth by lowering the water freezing point without changing the water melting point. Our group isolated the Antarctic yeast Glaciozyma antarctica that expresses antifreeze protein to assist it in its survival mechanism at sub-zero temperatures. The protein is unique and novel, indicated by its low sequence homology compared to those of other AFPs. We explore the structure-function relationship of G. antarctica AFP using various approaches ranging from protein structure prediction, peptide design and antifreeze activity assays, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies and molecular dynamics simulation. The predicted secondary structure of G. antarctica AFP shows several α-helices, assumed to be responsible for its antifreeze activity. We designed several peptide fragments derived from the amino acid sequences of α-helical regions of the parent AFP and they also showed substantial antifreeze activities, below that of the original AFP. The relationship between peptide structure and activity was explored by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. NMR results show that the antifreeze activity of the peptides correlates with their helicity and geometrical straightforwardness. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation also suggests that the activity of the designed peptides can be explained in terms of the structural rigidity/flexibility, i.e., the most active peptide demonstrates higher structural stability, lower flexibility than that of the other peptides with lower activities, and of lower rigidity. This report represents the first detailed report of downsizing a yeast AFP into its peptide fragments with measurable antifreeze activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/metabolism; Fungal Proteins/chemistry*
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