BACKGROUND The high level of excretion and rapid folding ability of β-fructofuranosidase (β-FFase) in Escherichia coli has suggested that β-FFase from Arthrobacter arilaitensis NJEM01 can be developed as a fusion partner. METHODS Based on the modified Wilkinson and Harrison algorithm and the preliminary verification of the solubility-enhancing ability of β-FFase truncations, three β-FFase tru...

OBJECTIVE Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), one important antioxidative enzyme in endothelial cells, is required for apoptosis inhibition. Apoptosis induction is dependent on cytoskeletal changes, which depend on actin rearrangements. Therefore, we wanted to elucidate whether a physical interaction exists between Trx-1 and actin and what the functional consequences are. METHODS AND RESULTS Combined immu...

Chloroplastic thioredoxins f and m (TRX f and TRX m) mediate light regulation of carbon metabolism through the activation of Calvin cycle enzymes. The role of TRX f and m in the activation of Calvin cycle enzymes is best known among the TRX family. However, the discoveries of new potential targets extend the functions of chloroplastic TRXs to other processes in non-photosynthetic tissues. As oc...

Human growth hormone (hGH) is synthesized by somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland and induces cell proliferation and growth. This protein has been approved for the treatment of various conditions, including hGH deficiency, chronic renal failure, and Turner syndrome. Efficient production of hGH in Escherichia coli (E. coli) has proven difficult because the E. coli-expressed hormone ...

Discovered in 1992 from cloning the gene involved in human leukemias carrying chromosome band 11q23 translocations, the MLL/HRX/ALL-1 gene has since attracted scientists from various disciplines by its diverse functions in normal physiological and pathological processes. MLL is the human orthologue of Drosophila trithorax (trx)-the founding member of trithorax group proteins, Trx-G. Leukemogeni...

It is difficult to imagine any strategy for high-throughput protein expression and purification that does not involve genetically engineered affinity tags. Because of its ability to enhance the solubility and promote the proper folding of its fusion partners, Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (MBP) is a particularly useful affinity tag. However, not all MBP fusion proteins bind efficient...

The chloroplast thioredoxins (TRXs) function as messengers of redox signals from ferredoxin to target enzymes. In this work, we studied the regulatory impact of pea (Pisum sativum) TRX-F on the magnesium (Mg) chelatase CHLI subunit and the enzymatic activation of Mg chelatase in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, reduced TRX-F activated the ATPase activity of pea CHLI and enhanced the activity of Mg ...

Previously, 3,5-dipentadecyloxybenzamidine hydrochloride (TRX-20)-modified liposomes were reported to specifically target mesangial cells (MCs) in glomeruli. To further gain a better understanding of the characteristics and potential application for glomerular diseases of TRX-20-modified liposomes, we synthesized TRX-20 and prepared TRX-20-modified liposomes (TRX-LPs) with different molar ratio...

Excessive neutrophil elastase activity within airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients results in progressive lung damage. Disruption of disulfide bonds on elastase by reducing agents may modify its enzymatic activity. Three naturally occurring dithiol reducing systems were examined for their effects on elastase activity: 1) Escherichia coli thioredoxin (Trx) system, 2) recombinant human thiore...

trithorax (trx) encodes chromosome-binding proteins required throughout embryogenesis and imaginal development for tissue- and cell-specific levels of transcription of many genes including homeotic genes of the ANT-C and BX-C. trx encodes two protein isoforms that contain conserved motifs including a C-terminal SET domain, central PHD fingers, an N-terminal DNA-binding homology, and two short m...