An important marker in neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is abnormal production of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide leading to formation of plaques in the brain. Through decreasing Aβ aggregates, anti-inflammatory agents, phagocytosis, and proteolytic enzymes are known to decline risk of Aβ plaque formation. In the previous study we showed that aqueous extract of Lavandula angustifolia (laven...

Net release of degraded N as NH3 and total AA plus microbial protein synthesis, quantified from incorporation of 15NH3 into microbial protein, was used to estimate the rate and extent of in vitro degradation of protein fractions isolated from alfalfa hay and silage. Seven proteins (casein, alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, extracts from alfalfa hay and silage, and residues from alfalfa hay and silag...

Proteolytic activities in extracts from three nematodes, the plant parasites Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyne incognita, and the free-living Panagrellus redivivus, were surveyed for substrate preferences using a battery of seven FRET-modified peptide substrates, all derived from members of the large FMRF-amide like peptide (FLP) family in nematodes. Overall protease activity in P. redivivus ...

An antigen (Ag), as defined by reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (mAb 10G), was found on the cell wall surface and on the plasma membrane of Candida albicans yeast cells (Li, R. K., and Cutler, J. E. (1991) J. Gen. Microbiol. 137, 455-464). The 10G Ag from the cell surface location was solubilized by treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol and Zymolyase. Antigenic activity of the extract was lo...

The rheological and microstructural characteristics of ewes' milk curd obtained by coagulating with milk-clotting enzymes, including ficin extract and Polyporus badius were evaluated. The gelation of milk was examined by small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements (SAOS). Different concentrations of ficin and P. badius extracts (1, 3, and 5%) were utilized to coagulate milk proteins. The ewe...

      Screening and identification of moderately halophilic protease producing bacteria from different regions of Maharloo, a hypersaline lake in the southern area of Iran, were the objectives of this study. In the preliminary screening, 16 isolates exhibited proteolytic activity on saline skim milk agar. All isolates were able to grow comfortably in the media containing 7-15% of salt. Protease...

BACKGROUND Despite advances toward an improved understanding of the evasive mechanisms leading to the establishment of cystic echinococcosis, the discovery of specific immunosuppressive mechanisms and related factors are of great interest in the development of an immunotherapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE To elucidate immunosuppressive effects of bioactive factors contained in chromatographic frac...

Enzymatic hydrolysis of food proteins can release peptides able to exert different biological activities. Among the bioactive peptides known so far, those with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitory properties are receiving special attention due to their potential beneficial effects in the treatment of hypertension. In previous work we identified active peptide sequences that derive from...

Pro-inflammatory cytokines like macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), IL-1β and TNF-α predominate in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and TNBS colitis. Increased levels of serine proteases activating protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) are found in the lumen and colonic tissue of IBD patients. PAR-2 activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines impair epithelial barrier, facilitating the u...

ESPL1/Separase, an endopeptidase, is required for centrosome duplication and separation of sister-chromatides in anaphase of mitosis. Overexpression and deregulated proteolytic activity of Separase as frequently observed in human cancers is associated with the occurrence of supernumerary centrosomes, chromosomal missegregation and aneuploidy. Recently, we have hypothesized that increased Separa...