Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 525 in total

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  1. Kobayashi N, Thayan R, Sugimoto C, Oda K, Saat Z, Vijayamalar B, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1999 Jun;60(6):904-9.
    PMID: 10403318
    To characterize the dengue epidemic that recently occurred in Malaysia, we sequenced cDNAs from nine 1993-1994 dengue virus type-3 (DEN-3) isolates in Malaysia (DEN-3 was the most common type in Malaysia during this period). Nucleic acid sequences (720 nucleotides in length) from the nine isolates, encompassing the precursor of membrane protein (preM) and membrane (M) protein genes and part of the envelope (E) protein gene were aligned with various reference DEN-3 sequences to generate a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. According to the constructed tree, the nine Malaysian isolates were grouped into subtype II, which comprises Thai isolates from 1962 to 1987. Five earlier DEN-3 virus Malaysian isolates from 1974 to 1981 belonged to subtype I. The present data indicate that the recent dengue epidemic in Malaysia was due to the introduction of DEN-3 viruses previously endemic to Thailand.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  2. Goh HH, Baharin A, Mohd Salleh F', Ravee R, Wan Zakaria WNA, Mohd Noor N
    Sci Rep, 2020 04 20;10(1):6575.
    PMID: 32313042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63696-z
    Carnivorous pitcher plants produce specialised pitcher organs containing secretory glands, which secrete acidic fluids with hydrolytic enzymes for prey digestion and nutrient absorption. The content of pitcher fluids has been the focus of many fluid protein profiling studies. These studies suggest an evolutionary convergence of a conserved group of similar enzymes in diverse families of pitcher plants. A recent study showed that endogenous proteins were replenished in the pitcher fluid, which indicates a feedback mechanism in protein secretion. This poses an interesting question on the physiological effect of plant protein loss. However, there is no study to date that describes the pitcher response to endogenous protein depletion. To address this gap of knowledge, we previously performed a comparative RNA-sequencing experiment of newly opened pitchers (D0) against pitchers after 3 days of opening (D3C) and pitchers with filtered endogenous proteins (>10 kDa) upon pitcher opening (D3L). Nepenthes ampullaria was chosen as a model study species due to their abundance and unique feeding behaviour on leaf litters. The analysis of unigenes with top 1% abundance found protein translation and stress response to be overrepresented in D0, compared to cell wall related, transport, and signalling for D3L. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis identified DEGs with functional enrichment in protein regulation, secondary metabolism, intracellular trafficking, secretion, and vesicular transport. The transcriptomic landscape of the pitcher dramatically shifted towards intracellular transport and defence response at the expense of energy metabolism and photosynthesis upon endogenous protein depletion. This is supported by secretome, transportome, and transcription factor analysis with RT-qPCR validation based on independent samples. This study provides the first glimpse into the molecular responses of pitchers to protein loss with implications to future cost/benefit analysis of carnivorous pitcher plant energetics and resource allocation for adaptation in stochastic environments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence/genetics
  3. Lawson T, Lycett GW, Mayes S, Ho WK, Chin CF
    Mol Biol Rep, 2020 Jun;47(6):4183-4197.
    PMID: 32444976 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05519-y
    The Rab GTPase family plays a vital role in several plant physiological processes including fruit ripening. Fruit softening during ripening involves trafficking of cell wall polymers and enzymes between cellular compartments. Mango, an economically important fruit crop, is known for its delicious taste, exotic flavour and nutritional value. So far, there is a paucity of information on the mango Rab GTPase family. In this study, 23 genes encoding Rab proteins were identified in mango by a comprehensive in silico approach. Sequence alignment and similarity tree analysis with the model plant Arabidopsis as a reference enabled the bona fide assignment of the deduced mango proteins to classify into eight subfamilies. Expression analysis by RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) showed that the Rab genes were differentially expressed in ripe and unripe mangoes suggesting the involvement of vesicle trafficking during ripening. Interaction analysis showed that the proteins involved in vesicle trafficking and cell wall softening were interconnected providing further evidence of the involvement of the Rab GTPases in fruit softening. Correlation analyses showed a significant relationship between the expression level of the RabA3 and RabA4 genes and fruit firmness at the unripe stage of the mango varieties suggesting that the differences in gene expression level might be associated with the contrasting firmness of these varieties. This study will not only provide new insights into the complexity of the ripening-regulated molecular mechanism but also facilitate the identification of potential Rab GTPases to address excessive fruit softening.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence/genetics
  4. Alballa M, Aplop F, Butler G
    PLoS One, 2020;15(1):e0227683.
    PMID: 31935244 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227683
    Transporters mediate the movement of compounds across the membranes that separate the cell from its environment and across the inner membranes surrounding cellular compartments. It is estimated that one third of a proteome consists of membrane proteins, and many of these are transport proteins. Given the increase in the number of genomes being sequenced, there is a need for computational tools that predict the substrates that are transported by the transmembrane transport proteins. In this paper, we present TranCEP, a predictor of the type of substrate transported by a transmembrane transport protein. TranCEP combines the traditional use of the amino acid composition of the protein, with evolutionary information captured in a multiple sequence alignment (MSA), and restriction to important positions of the alignment that play a role in determining the specificity of the protein. Our experimental results show that TranCEP significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art predictors. The results quantify the contribution made by each type of information used.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  5. Chua KB, Wang LF, Lam SK, Crameri G, Yu M, Wise T, et al.
    Virology, 2001 May 10;283(2):215-29.
    PMID: 11336547
    A search for the natural host of Nipah virus has led to the isolation of a previously unknown member of the family Paramyxoviridae. Tioman virus (TiV) was isolated from the urine of fruit bats (Pteropus hypomelanus) found on the island of the same name off the eastern coast of peninsular Malaysia. An electron microscopic study of TiV-infected cells revealed spherical and pleomorphic-enveloped viral particles (100--500 nm in size) with a single fringe of embedded peplomers. Virus morphogenesis occurred at the plasma membrane of infected cells and morphological features of negative-stained ribonucleoprotein complexes were compatible with that of viruses in the family Paramyxoviridae. Serological studies revealed no cross-reactivity with antibodies against a number of known Paramyxoviridae members except for the newly described Menangle virus (MenV), isolated in Australia in 1997. Failure of PCR amplification using MenV-specific primers suggested that this new virus is related to but different from MenV. For molecular characterization of the virus, a cDNA subtraction strategy was employed to isolate virus-specific cDNA from virus-infected cells. Complete gene sequences for the nucleocapsid protein (N) and phosphoprotein (P/V) have been determined and recombinant N and V proteins produced in baculovirus. The recombinant N and V proteins reacted with porcine anti-MenV sera in Western blot, confirming the serological cross-reactivity observed during initial virus characterization. The lack of a C protein-coding region in the P/V gene, the creation of P mRNA by insertion of 2-G residues, and the results of phylogenetic analyses all indicated that TiV is a novel member of the genus Rubulavirus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  6. 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: Amino Acid Sequence
  7. Chin IS, Abdul Murad AM, Mahadi NM, Nathan S, Abu Bakar FD
    Protein Eng. Des. Sel., 2013 May;26(5):369-75.
    PMID: 23468570 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzt007
    Cutinase has been ascertained as a biocatalyst for biotechnological and industrial bioprocesses. The Glomerella cingulata cutinase was genetically modified to enhance its enzymatic performance to fulfill industrial requirements. Two sites were selected for mutagenesis with the aim of altering the surface electrostatics as well as removing a potentially deamidation-prone asparagine residue. The N177D cutinase variant was affirmed to be more resilient to temperature increase with a 2.7-fold increase in half-life at 50°C as compared with wild-type enzyme, while, the activity at 25°C is not compromised. Furthermore, the increase in thermal tolerance of this variant is accompanied by an increase in optimal temperature. Another variant, the L172K, however, exhibited higher enzymatic performance towards phenyl ester substrates of longer carbon chain length, yet its thermal stability is inversely affected. In order to restore the thermal stability of L172K, we constructed a L172K/N177D double variant and showed that these two mutations yield an improved variant with enhanced activity towards phenyl ester substrates and enhanced thermal stability. Taken together, our study may provide valuable information for enhancing catalytic performance and thermal stability in future engineering endeavors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  8. Sharma JN
    Gen. Pharmacol., 1993 Mar;24(2):267-74.
    PMID: 8387049
    1. Bradykinin and related kinins may act on four types of receptors designated as B1, B2, B3 and B4. It seems that the B2 receptors are most commonly found in various vascular and non-vascular smooth muscles, whereas B1 receptors are formed in vitro during trauma, and injury, and are found in bone tissues. 2. These BK receptors are involved in the regulations of various physiological and pathological processes. 3. The mode of kinin actions are based upon the interactions between the kinin and their specific receptors, which can lead to activation of several second-messenger systems. 4. Recently, numerous BK receptors antagonists have been synthesized with prime aim to treat diseases caused by excessive kinin production. 5. These diseases are RA, inflammatory diseases of the bowel, asthma, rhinitis and sore throat, allergic reactions, pain, inflammatory skin disorders, endotoxin and anaphylactic shock and coronary heart diseases. 6. On the other hand, BK receptor antagonists could be contraindicated in hypertension, since these drugs may antagonize the antihypertensive therapy and/or may trigger the hypertensive crisis. 7. It is worth suggesting that the BK receptor agonists might be useful antihypertensive drugs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  9. Tommy YB, Lim TS, Noordin R, Saadatnia G, Choong YS
    BMC Struct Biol, 2012 Nov 27;12:30.
    PMID: 23181504 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6807-12-30
    BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular coccidian parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It was estimated that more than one third of the world population is infected by T. gondii, and the disease is critical in fetuses and immunosuppressed patients. Thus, early detection is crucial for disease diagnosis and therapy. However, the current available toxoplasmosis diagnostic tests vary in their accuracy and the better ones are costly.

    RESULTS: An earlier published work discovered a highly antigenic 12 kDa excretory-secretory (ES) protein of T. gondii which may potentially be used for the development of an antigen detection test for toxoplasmosis. However, the three-dimensional structure of the protein is unknown. Since epitope identification is important prior to designing of a specific antibody for an antigen-detection based diagnostic test, the structural elucidation of this protein is essential. In this study, we constructed a three dimensional model of the 12 kDa ES protein. The built structure possesses a thioredoxin backbone which consists of four α-helices flanking five β-strands at the center. Three potential epitopes (6-8 residues) which can be combined into one "single" epitope have been identified from the built structure as the most potential antibody binding site.

    CONCLUSION: Together with specific antibody design, this work could contribute towards future development of an antigen detection test for toxoplasmosis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  10. Khor BY, Tye GJ, Lim TS, Noordin R, Choong YS
    Int J Mol Sci, 2014 Jun 19;15(6):11082-99.
    PMID: 24950179 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150611082
    Brugia malayi is a filarial nematode, which causes lymphatic filariasis in humans. In 1995, the disease has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the second leading causes of permanent and long-term disability and thus it is targeted for elimination by year 2020. Therefore, accurate filariasis diagnosis is important for management and elimination programs. A recombinant antigen (BmR1) from the Bm17DIII gene product was used for antibody-based filariasis diagnosis in "Brugia Rapid". However, the structure and dynamics of BmR1 protein is yet to be elucidated. Here we study the three dimensional structure and dynamics of BmR1 protein using comparative modeling, threading and ab initio protein structure prediction. The best predicted structure obtained via an ab initio method (Rosetta) was further refined and minimized. A total of 5 ns molecular dynamics simulation were performed to investigate the packing of the protein. Here we also identified three epitopes as potential antibody binding sites from the molecular dynamics average structure. The structure and epitopes obtained from this study can be used to design a binder specific against BmR1, thus aiding future development of antigen-based filariasis diagnostics to complement the current diagnostics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  11. Czuppon AB, Chen Z, Rennert S, Engelke T, Meyer HE, Heber M, et al.
    J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1993 Nov;92(5):690-7.
    PMID: 8227860
    BACKGROUND: Allergy to latex-containing articles is becoming more and more important because it can result in unexpected life-threatening anaphylactic reactions in sensitized individuals.

    METHODS: A protein of 58 kd with an isoelectric point of 8.45 was purified from raw latex and from latex gloves and identified as the major allergen, completely blocking specific IgE antibodies in the serum of latex-sensitized subjects. The allergen is a noncovalent homotetramer molecule, in which the 14.6 kd monomer was identified, by amino acid composition and sequence homologies of tryptic peptides, to be the rubber elongation factor found in natural latex of the Malaysian rubber tree.

    RESULTS: Competitive immunoinhibition tests showed that the starch powder covering the finished gloves is the airborne carrier of the allergen, resulting in bronchial asthma on inhalation. The purified allergen can induce allergic reactions in the nanogram range.

    CONCLUSION: The identification of the allergen (Hev b I) may help to eliminate it during the production of latex-based articles in the future.

    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  12. Parvizpour S, Razmara J, Shamsir MS, Illias RM, Abdul Murad AM
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2017 06;35(8):1685-1692.
    PMID: 27206405 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2016.1191043
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence/genetics
  13. Aliza D, Tey CL, Ismail IS, Kuah MK, Shu-Chien AC, Muhammad TS
    Mol Biol Rep, 2012 Apr;39(4):4823-9.
    PMID: 21956757 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-011-1275-3
    Teleosts are useful vertebrate model species for understanding copper toxicity due to the dual entry route for copper intake via the gills and intestine. In this present study, we utilized the differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to isolate potential novel hepatic genes induced by sublethal copper exposure in the freshwater swordtail fish, Xiphophorus helleri. Full length cloning of a cDNA fragment induced by copper exposure to 1 μg/ml during 24 h resulted in the positive identification of a hepatic ribosomal protein L19 (RPL19) gene. Further characterization of this gene revealed that its transcriptional expression was dependent on dosage and time of copper exposure. This study describes for the first time the involvement of RPL19 in copper toxicity, probably as a result of increase in ribosome synthesis rate to support activities such as cellular protein translation, transcriptional activation and mRNA stabilization during sublethal copper exposure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  14. Scherret JH, Poidinger M, Mackenzie JS, Broom AK, Deubel V, Lipkin WI, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2001 Jul-Aug;7(4):697-705.
    PMID: 11585535
    Until recently, West Nile (WN) and Kunjin (KUN) viruses were classified as distinct types in the Flavivirus genus. However, genetic and antigenic studies on isolates of these two viruses indicate that the relationship between them is more complex. To better define this relationship, we performed sequence analyses on 32 isolates of KUN virus and 28 isolates of WN virus from different geographic areas, including a WN isolate from the recent outbreak in New York. Sequence comparisons showed that the KUN virus isolates from Australia were tightly grouped but that the WN virus isolates exhibited substantial divergence and could be differentiated into four distinct groups. KUN virus isolates from Australia were antigenically homologous and distinct from the WN isolates and a Malaysian KUN virus. Our results suggest that KUN and WN viruses comprise a group of closely related viruses that can be differentiated into subgroups on the basis of genetic and antigenic analyses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  15. Singh R, Low ET, Ooi LC, Ong-Abdullah M, Nookiah R, Ting NC, et al.
    Nat Commun, 2014 Jun 30;5:4106.
    PMID: 24978855 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5106
    Oil palm, a plantation crop of major economic importance in Southeast Asia, is the predominant source of edible oil worldwide. We report the identification of the virescens (VIR) gene, which controls fruit exocarp colour and is an indicator of ripeness. VIR is a R2R3-MYB transcription factor with homology to Lilium LhMYB12 and similarity to Arabidopsis production of anthocyanin pigment1 (PAP1). We identify five independent mutant alleles of VIR in over 400 accessions from sub-Saharan Africa that account for the dominant-negative virescens phenotype. Each mutation results in premature termination of the carboxy-terminal domain of VIR, resembling McClintock's C1-I allele in maize. The abundance of alleles likely reflects cultural practices, by which fruits were venerated for magical and medicinal properties. The identification of VIR will allow selection of the trait at the seed or early-nursery stage, 3-6 years before fruits are produced, greatly advancing introgression into elite breeding material.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  16. Singh R, Low ET, Ooi LC, Ong-Abdullah M, Ting NC, Nagappan J, et al.
    Nature, 2013 Aug 15;500(7462):340-4.
    PMID: 23883930 DOI: 10.1038/nature12356
    A key event in the domestication and breeding of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis was loss of the thick coconut-like shell surrounding the kernel. Modern E. guineensis has three fruit forms, dura (thick-shelled), pisifera (shell-less) and tenera (thin-shelled), a hybrid between dura and pisifera. The pisifera palm is usually female-sterile. The tenera palm yields far more oil than dura, and is the basis for commercial palm oil production in all of southeast Asia. Here we describe the mapping and identification of the SHELL gene responsible for the different fruit forms. Using homozygosity mapping by sequencing, we found two independent mutations in the DNA-binding domain of a homologue of the MADS-box gene SEEDSTICK (STK, also known as AGAMOUS-LIKE 11), which controls ovule identity and seed development in Arabidopsis. The SHELL gene is responsible for the tenera phenotype in both cultivated and wild palms from sub-Saharan Africa, and our findings provide a genetic explanation for the single gene hybrid vigour (or heterosis) attributed to SHELL, via heterodimerization. This gene mutation explains the single most important economic trait in oil palm, and has implications for the competing interests of global edible oil production, biofuels and rainforest conservation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  17. Weniger BG, Takebe Y, Ou CY, Yamazaki S
    AIDS, 1994;8 Suppl 2:S13-28.
    PMID: 7857556
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  18. Zainal Abidin MH, Abd Halim KB, Huyop F, Tengku Abdul Hamid TH, Abdul Wahab R, Abdul Hamid AA
    J Mol Graph Model, 2019 07;90:219-225.
    PMID: 31103914 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.05.003
    Dehalogenase E (DehE) is a non-stereospecific enzyme produced by the soil bacterium, Rhizobium sp. RC1. Till now, the catalytic mechanism of DehE remains unclear although several literature concerning its structure and function are available. Since DehE is non-stereospecific, the enzyme was hypothesized to follow a 'direct attack mechanism' for the catalytic breakdown of a haloacid. For a molecular insight, the DehE modelled structure was docked in silico with the substrate 2-chloropropionic acid (2CP) in the active site. The ideal position of DehE residues that allowed a direct attack mechanism was then assessed via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. It was revealed that the essential catalytic water was hydrogen bonded to the 'water-bearer', Asn114, at a relatively constant distance of ∼2.0 Å after 50 ns. The same water molecule was also closely sited to the catalytic Asp189 at an average distance of ∼2.0 Å, signifying the imperative role of the latter to initiate proton abstraction for water activation. This reaction was crucial to promote a direct attack on the α-carbon of 2CP to eject the halide ion. The water molecule was oriented favourably towards the α-carbon of 2CP at an angle of ∼75°, mirrored by the formation of stable enzyme-substrate orientations throughout the simulation. The data therefore substantiated that the degradation of a haloacid by DehE followed a 'direct attack mechanism'. Hence, this study offers valuable information into future advancements in the engineering of haloacid dehalogenases with improved activity and selectivity, as well as functionality in solvents other than water.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  19. Reginald K, Chew FT
    Sci Rep, 2019 02 07;9(1):1556.
    PMID: 30733527 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38313-9
    Der p 2 is a major dust mite allergen and >80% of mite allergic individuals have specific IgE to this allergen. Although it is well characterized in terms of allergenicity, there is still some ambiguity in terms of its biological function. Three-dimensional structural analysis of Der p 2 and its close homologues indicate the presence of a hydrophobic cavity which can potentially bind to lipid molecules. In this study, we aimed to identify the potential ligand of Der p 2. Using a liposome pulldown assay, we show that recombinant Der p 2 binds to liposomes prepared with exogenous cholesterol in a dose dependent fashion. Next, an ELISA based assay using immobilized lipids was used to study binding specificities of other lipid molecules. Cholesterol was the preferred ligand of Der p 2 among 11 different lipids tested. Two homologues of Der p 2, Der f 2 and Der f 22 also bound to cholesterol. Further, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we confirmed that cholesterol is the natural ligand of Der p 2. Three amino acid residues of Der p 2, V104, V106 and V110 are possible cholesterol binding sites, as alanine mutations of these residues showed a significant decrease in binding (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
  20. Muhamad N, Simcock DC, Pedley KC, Simpson HV, Brown S
    PMID: 21296180 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2011.01.008
    Like other nematodes, both L(3) and adult Teladosagia circumcincta secrete or excrete NH(3)/NH(4)(+), but the reactions involved in the production are unclear. Glutamate dehydrogenase is a significant source NH(3)/NH(4)(+) in some species, but previous reports indicate that the enzyme is absent from L(3)Haemonchus contortus. We show that glutamate dehydrogenase was active in both L(3) and adult T. circumcincta. The apparent K(m)s of the L(3) enzyme differed from those of the adult enzyme, the most significant of these being the increase in the K(m) for NH(4)(+) from 18mM in L(3) to 49mM in adults. The apparent V(max) of the oxidative deamination reaction was greater than that of the reductive reaction in L(3), but this was reversed in adults. The activity of the oxidative reaction of the L(3) enzyme was not affected by adenine nucleotides, but that of the reductive reaction was stimulated significantly by either ADP or ATP. The L(3) enzyme was more active with NAD(+) than it was with NADP(+), although the activities supported by NADH and NADPH were similar at saturating concentrations. While the activity of the oxidative reaction was sufficient to account for the NH(3)/NH(4)(+) efflux we have previously reported, the reductive amination reaction was likely to be more active.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence
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