Long-term patency of human saphenous vein bypass grafts is low because of intimal thickening and superimposed atherosclerosis. Matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) and changes in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype are thought to be essential for the VSMC migration that contributes to intimal thickening. We examined VSMC phenotype and MMP activity in saphenous veins obtained befo...

The resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin Cry2Ab in a greenhouse-originated Trichoplusia ni strain resistant to both Bt toxins Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab was characterized. Biological assays determined that the Cry2Ab resistance in the T. ni strain was a monogenic recessive trait independent of Cry1Ac resistance, and there existed no significant cross-resistance between Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab i...

The incorporation of the structural elements of thermostable enzymes into their less stable counterparts is generally used to improve enzyme thermostability. However, the process of engineering enzymes with both high thermostability and high activity remains an important challenge. Here, we report that the thermostability and activity of a thermophilic subtilase were simultaneously improved by ...

Metalloproteinase secretion by macrophages is believed to play a key role in the matrix degradation that underlies atherosclerotic plaque instability and aneurysm formation. We studied the hypothesis that nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor, is necessary for metalloproteinase secretion and, hence, is a target for pharmacological intervention. Adenovirus-mediated gene trans...

The ATP-dependent HslVU complexes are found in all three biological kingdoms. A single HslV protease exists in each species of prokaryotes, archaea, and eukaryotes, but two HslUs (HslU1 and HslU2) are present in the mitochondria of eukaryotes. Previously, a tyrosine residue at the C-terminal tail of HslU2 has been identified as a key determinant of HslV activation in Trypanosoma brucei and a ph...

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled and increased extracellular matrix degradation during early anastomotic repair in the intestine may reduce wound strength increasing the risk of anastomotic dehiscence. AIMS To characterise the metalloproteinases present in intact and anastomosed ileum and colon to study their role in matrix degradation after surgery. SUBJECTS Tissue extracts of uninjured, and of ana...

The directed search for extremophilic producers in order to obtain hydrolytic enzymes with increased thermal stability has an unconditional practical potential use the food and feed industry improve quality of final product. aim work was study ability collection strains thermophilic fungi show α-L-rhamnosidase, α-galactosidase, cellulase, β-mannanase, keratinase caseinolytic activity. Methods. ...

A novel protease, hydrolyzing azocasein, was identified, purified, and characterized from the culture supernatant of the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri. Exoprotease production was detected at the end of the exponential growth phase and was temperature dependent. Activity was detected in peptone but not in Casamino Acid medium. Its synthesis appeared to be under catabolite repression and ammoniu...