We reported recently that certain β(3) -peptides self-assemble in aqueous solution into discrete bundles of unique structure and defined stoichiometry. The first β-peptide bundle reported was the octameric Zwit-1F, whose fold is characterized by a well-packed, leucine-rich core and a salt-bridge-rich surface. Close inspection of the Zwit-1F structure revealed four nonideal interhelical salt-bri...

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Alzheimer’s (AD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are characterized by progressive loss of structure or function neurons. Current therapies for NDs only symptomatic long-term ineffective. This challenge has promoted the development new against relevant targets in these pathologies. In this revie...

Amyloid-β peptides interact with cell membranes in the human brain and are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. An emerging explanation of the molecular mechanism, which results in neurodegeneration, places the cause of neurotoxicity of the amyloid- peptides on their potentially negative interaction with neuronal membranes. It is known that amyloid-β peptides...

BACKGROUND : Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder that leads to pancreatic β-cells destruction and progressive decrease of insulin secretion. Specific islet autoantibodies (AAbs) are the main diagnostic marker T1D. Residual β-cell function, as measured by C-peptide, has repeatedly been demonstrated be clinically important. AIM: To study frequency levels residual C-peptide se...

This study aims to modify a cyclodextrin-PEI-based polymer, PEI-β-CyD, with the TAT peptide for plasmid DNA delivery to placenta mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs). By using the disulfide exchange between the SPDP-activated PEI-β-CyD and TAT peptide, the TAT-PEI-β-CyD polymer was fabricated and the success of this was confirmed by the presence of characteristic peaks for PEI (at δ 2.8-3.2 ppm), CyD...

Cow milk is an important source of food protein for children, however, it could lead to allergy, especially infant. α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) from whey make up a relatively high proportion proteins have received widespread attention as major allergens in milk. However, few studies identified the epitopes both simultaneously. In this study, ImmunoCAP indirect ELISA were fir...

Peptide/protein hormones could be stored as non-toxic amyloid-like structures in pituitary secretory granules. ACTH and β-endorphin are two of the important peptide hormones that get co-stored in the pituitary secretory granules. Here, we study molecular interactions between ACTH and β-endorphin and their colocalization in the form of amyloid aggregates. Although ACTH is known to be a part of A...

In our continued efforts to explore the antidiabetic potential of pregnanes from Apocynaceae, especially Asclepiadoideae subfamily, sixteen derivatives 1-16 previously isolated various Cynanchum species, have been evaluated for their ability increase glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release in a cell assay. As result, otophylloside A (2), wilfoside C1N (13), and C3N (16) were found stimulate sig...

BACKGROUND A strategy for accelerating liver regeneration after hepatectomy would offer great benefits in preventing postoperative liver failure and improving surgical outcomes. Transforming growth factor (TGF) β is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte proliferation. Recently, thrombospondin (TSP) 1 has been identified as a negative regulator of liver regeneration by activation of local TGF-β signa...

Choline-binding modules (CBMs) have a ββ-solenoid structure composed of choline-binding repeats (CBR), which consist of a β-hairpin followed by a short linker. To find minimal peptides that are able to maintain the CBR native structure and to evaluate their remaining choline-binding ability, we have analysed the third β-hairpin of the CBM from the pneumococcal LytA autolysin. Circular dichroism...