We investigated the conservation and antibody accessibility of inner core epitopes of Neisseria meningitidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) because of their potential as vaccine candidates. An immunoglobulin G3 murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated MAb B5, was obtained by immunizing mice with a galE mutant of N. meningitidis H44/76 (B. 15.P1.7,16 immunotype L3). We have shown that MAb B5 can b...

Microsomal monoxygenase enzymes of the cytochrome-P450 family are found in all biological kingdoms, and play a central role in the breakdown of metabolic as well as xenobiotic, toxic and 70% of the drugs in clinical use. Full-length cytochrome-b5 has been shown to be important for the catalytic activity of cytochrome-P450. Despite the significance in understanding the interactions between these...

ABSTRACT The microsomal protein cytochrome b5 , which is located in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, has been shown to modulate many reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. We investigated the influence of exposure to the anticancer drug ellipticine and to two environmental carcinogens, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-phenylazo-2-naphthol (Sudan I), on the expression of cytoc...

The small and large subunits of the ribosome are held together by a series of bridges, involving RNA-RNA, RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Some 12 bridges have been described for the Escherichia coli 70S ribosome. In this work, we have targeted for mutagenesis, some of the 16S rRNA residues involved in the formation of intersubunit bridges B3, B5, B6, B7b and B8. In addition to eff...

One approach for a safer smallpox vaccine is to utilize recombinant subunits rather than live vaccinia virus (VACV). The products of the VACV envelope genes A27L, L1R, B5R, and A33R induce protective antibodies in animal models. We propose that proteins that elicit T-cell responses, as well as neutralizing antibodies, will be important to include in a molecular vaccine. To evaluate VACV-specifi...

In all eukaryotes, NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase provides electrons, via cytochrome b5, for a range of biochemical reactions in cellular metabolism, including for fatty acid desaturation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Studies in mammals, yeast, and in vitro plant systems have shown that cytochrome b5 can, at least in some circumstances, also accept electrons from NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase, ...

An assay for determining the rate of methemoglobin reduction in hemolysates of human erythrocytes has been developed. The rates obtained by this assay, when corrected for dilution, are comparable to those obtained with intact cells. Increased ionic strength inhibits the reaction, whereas EDTA increases the rate of reduction. The rate with NADPH as electron donor is 65-70% of the rate with NADH....

OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to establish reference values for methemoglobin levels in 6 to 10-year-old children. METHODS Methemoglobin concentrations were studied in clinically healthy children. The method for methemoglobin measurement used, neither uses highly toxic chemical compounds nor expensive enzymatic methods, thus it is feasible in the laboratory routine. RESULTS The results...