NapC is a tetra-haem member of a family of bacterial membrane-anchored multi-haem c -type cytochromes implicated in electron transfer between membrane quinols and periplasmic enzymes. The water-soluble tetra-haem fragment of Paracoccus pantotrophus NapC has been expressed as a periplasmic protein (NapC(sol)) in Paracoccus denitrificans, P. pantotrophus and Escherichia coli. Site-specific mutage...

Substantial evidence now exists that intrinsic free-radical scavenging contributes to the receptor-independent neuroprotective effects of estrogens. This activity is inherently associated with the presence of a phenolic A-ring in the steroid. We report a previously unrecognized antioxidant cycle that maintains the "chemical shield" raised by estrogens against the most harmful reactive oxygen sp...

As the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids may be a key event in atherogenesis, there is interest in antioxidants as potential anti-atherogenic compounds. Here we report that a-tocopheryl hydroquinone (a-TQH2) strongly inhibited or completely prevented the (per)oxidation of ubiquinol-10 (CoQ10H2), a-tocopherol (aTOH), and both surface and core lipids in LDL exposed to either aqueo...

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones and related compounds. With the use of biochemical assays, NQO1 has been shown to be overexpressed in many types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NQO1 can bioactlvate antitumor qulnones such as mitomycm C, and new qwnone-based drugs are currently being developed t...

Purpose:Hypoxia-inducible factor-a (HIF-a) is a transcription factor that regulates the response to hypoxia. HIF-a protein is found at high levels in many cancers, and the redox protein thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) increases both aerobic and hypoxia-induced HIF-a. Therefore, Trx-1and HIF-a are attractive molecular targets for novel cancer therapeutics. Experimental Design:We investigated whether two n...

Polysaccharides are known as natural and renewable feed stock for synthesizing high performance macromolecular materials. The popular, versatile and convenient way to develop polysaccharide is being based on materials used for the grafting of synthetic polymers onto natural polysaccharides. Although the attractive chemical and physical properties of polysaccharide co-polymeric materials, undesi...