Identification and Characterization of an Antifungal Protein, AfAFPR9, Produced by Marine-Derived Aspergillus fumigatus R9

( Qi Rao ),( Wen Bin Guo ),( Xin Hua Chen ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2015 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.25 No.5

A fungal strain, R9, was isolated from the South Atlantic sediment sample and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus. An antifungal protein, AfAFPR9, was purified from the culture supernatant of Aspergillus fumigatus R9. AfAFPR9 was identified to be restrictocin, which is a member of the ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), by MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. AfAFPR9 displayed antifungal activity against plant pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria longipes, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Paecilomyces variotii, and Trichoderma viride at minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.6, 0.6, 1.2, 1.2, and 2.4 μg/disc, respectively. Moreover, AfAFPR9 exhibited a certain extent of thermostability, and metal ion and denaturant tolerance. The iodoacetamide assay showed that the disulfide bridge in AfAFPR9 was indispensable for its antifungal action. The cDNA encoding for AfAFPR9 was cloned from A. fumigatus R9 by RTPCR and heterologously expressed in E. coli. The recombinant AfAFPR9 protein exhibited obvious antifungal activity against C. gloeosporioides, T. viride, and A. longipes. These results reveal the antifungal properties of a RIP member (AfAFPR9) from marine-derived Aspergillus fumigatus and indicated its potential application in controlling plant pathogenic fungi.

NEDD4L suppresses PD-L1 expression and enhances anti-tumor immune response in A549 cells

Zhong Bin,Zheng Jie,Wen Huilan,Liao Xinhui,Chen Xingxiang,Rao Yunwei,Yuan Ping 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.9

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) poses a salient threat to public health. E3 ubiquitin ligase commonly functions as an anti-tumor role. Objective: This study probed the effect of E3 ligase NEDD4L on A549 cells. Methods: NEDD4L expression in NSCLC and its correlation with NSCLC patient's prognosis were predicted and verified. PD-L1 protein level was measured, and the correlation between NEDD4L and PD-L1 was analyzed. The effects of NEDD4L overexpression on the binding of NEDD4L to PD-L1 and ubiquitination level of PD-L1 were examined. Xenograft tumor model was established in mice. The volume and weight of xenograft tumors were recorded. The proportion of CD8+ T cells and contents of IL-2 and INF-γ were detected. Results: NEDD4L expression was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and A549 cells, and correlated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. PD-L1 was upregulated in NSCLC and negatively correlated with NEDD4L. Overexpression of NEDD4L upregulated ubiquitination level of PD-L1 and reduced protein level of PD-L1. Overexpression of NEDD4L decreased tumor volume and weight and enhanced proportion of CD8+ T cells and contents of IL-2 and INF-γ. Conclusions: Collectively, overexpression of NEDD4L suppressed PD-L1 protein level through ubiquitination, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immune response and retarding NSCLC progression.

Eco-friendly Polypyrrole-coated Cocozelle Composites for Supercapacitor Application

Hui Ji,Chuanjie Zhang,Weida Rao,Bin Guo,Lingling Fan,Zikui Bai,Haifeng Bao,Jie Xu 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.6

Cocozelle is essentially consisted of hemicellulose and lignin with a hierarchically porous structure. Herein,cocozelle slices after freeze-drying were employed as green substrates to support the growth of polypyrrole (PPy) via a facileoxidative polymerization approach. The cocozelle surface was densely covered with sheet-like PPy due to the hydrogenbonding between PPy and cocozelle. The PPy/cocozelle composites could be facilely utilized as supercapacitor electrodes,which showed a high specific capacitance of 1108 F g-1 with an energy density of 70.5 Wh kg-1 and a power density of398 W kg-1 at a charge/discharge current density of 0.8 mA cm-2 as well as desirable cycling life with a capacitance retentionrate of 76.9 % after 1000 cycles. Moreover, 95.3 % of the initial specific capacitance obtained at 0.2 mA cm-2 could bereached as the current density increased to 1.6 mA cm-2. These results demonstrate that cocozelle could be used as a superioralternative biomass-derived substrate for the developments of eco-friendly and renewable energy storage devices.

Context-Aware Handover Skipping for Train Passengers in Next Generation Wireless Networks

Asad, Syed,Klaine, Paulo,Rais, Rao Naveed Bin,Mollel, Michael,Hussain, Sajjad,Abbasi, Qammer,Imran, Muhammad 한국통신학회 2023 Journal of communications and networks Vol.25 No.3

5G spectral efficiency requirements foresee net-work densification as a potential solution to improve capac-ity and throughput to target next-generation wireless net-works (NGWNs). This is achieved by shrinking the footprint ofbase stations (BSs), effective frequency reuse, and dynamic useof shared resources between users. However, such a deploymentresults in unnecessary handovers (HOs) due to the cell sizedecrements, and limited sojourn time on a high train mobility. In particular, when a train speedily passes through the BS radiocoverage footprints, frequent HO rate may result in seriouscommunication interruption impacting quality of service (QoS). This paper proposes a novel context-aware HO skipping thatrelies on passenger mobility, trains trajectory, travelling timeand frequency, network load and signal to interference and noiseratio (SINR) data. We have modelled passenger traffic flows incardinal directions i.e, north, east, west, and south (NEWS),in a novel framework that employs realistic Poisson pointprocess (PPP) for real-time mobility patterns to support mo-bile networks. Spatio-temporal simulations leveraging NEWSmobility prediction model with machine learning (ML) wheresupport vector machine (SVM) shows an accuracy of 94.51%. ML-driven mobility prediction results integrate into our proposedscheme that shows comparable coverage probability, and averagethroughput to the no skipping case, while significantly reducingHO costs.

Comparison of Two Site-Specifically ¹⁸F-Labeled Affibodies for PET Imaging of EGFR Positive Tumors

Su, Xinhui,Cheng, Kai,Jeon, Jongho,Shen, Bin,Venturin, Gianina Teribele,Hu, Xiang,Rao, Jianghong,Chin, Frederick T.,Wu, Hua,Cheng, Zhen American Chemical Society 2014 MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS Vol.11 No.11

<P>The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) serves as an attractive target for cancer molecular imaging and therapy. Our previous positron emission tomography (PET) studies showed that the EGFR-targeting affibody molecules <SUP>64</SUP>Cu-DOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-FBEM-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> can discriminate between high and low EGFR-expression tumors and have the potential for patient selection for EGFR-targeted therapy. Compared with <SUP>64</SUP>Cu, <SUP>18</SUP>F may improve imaging of EGFR-expression and is more suitable for clinical application, but the labeling reaction of <SUP>18</SUP>F-FBEM-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> requires a long synthesis time. The aim of the present study is to develop a new generation of <SUP>18</SUP>F labeled affibody probes (Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB>) and to determine whether they are suitable agents for imaging of EGFR expression. The first approach consisted of conjugating Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> with NOTA and radiolabeling with Al<SUP>18</SUP>F to produce Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB>. In a second approach the prosthetic group <SUP>18</SUP>F-labeled-2-cyanobenzothiazole (<SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT) was conjugated to Cys-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> to produce <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB>. Binding affinity and specificity of Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> to EGFR were evaluated using A431 cells. Biodistribution and PET studies were conducted on mice bearing A431 xenografts after injection of Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> or <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> with or without coinjection of unlabeled affibody proteins. The radiosyntheses of Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> were completed successfully within 40 and 120 min with a decay-corrected yield of 15% and 41% using a 2-step, 1-pot reaction and 2-step, 2-pot reaction, respectively. Both probes bound to EGFR with low nanomolar affinity in A431 cells. Although <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> showed instability <I>in vivo</I>, biodistribution studies revealed rapid and high tumor accumulation and quick clearance from normal tissues except the bones. In contrast, Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> demonstrated high <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> stability, high tumor uptake, and relative low uptake in most of the normal organs except the liver and kidneys at 3 h after injection. The specificity of both probes for A431 tumors was confirmed by their lower uptake on coinjection of unlabeled affibody. PET studies showed that Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> could clearly identify EGFR positive tumors with good contrast. Two strategies for <SUP>18</SUP>F-labeling of affibody molecules were successfully developed as two model platforms using NOTA or CBT coupling to affibody molecules that contain an N-terminal cysteine. Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> and <SUP>18</SUP>F-CBT-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> can be reliably obtained in a relatively short time. Biodistribution and PET studies demonstrated that Al<SUP>18</SUP>F-NOTA-Z<SUB>EGFR:1907</SUB> is a promising PET probe for imaging EGFR expression in living mice.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/mpohbp/2014/mpohbp.2014.11.issue-11/mp5003043/production/images/medium/mp-2014-003043_0008.gif'></P>

Optimal‐Temperature‐Based Highly Efficient NiS Counter Electrode for Quantum‐Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Kim, Hee‐,Je,Yeo, Tae‐,Bin,Kim, Soo‐,Kyoung,Rao, S. Srinivasa,Savariraj, A. Dennyson,Prabakar, K.,Gopi, Chandu V. V. M. WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2014 European journal of inorganic chemistry Vol.2014 No.26

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Metal sulfide electrodes were compared to a conventional platinum (Pt) counter electrode (CE) in quantum‐dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), in which they were used to improve the short circuit current, fill factor, and conversion efficiency (<I>η</I>). We deposited optimal‐temperature‐based nickel sulfide (NiS) thin films on a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by a facile chemical bath deposition method and successfully employed them as a highly efficient CE for QDSSCs. The obtained NiS thin‐film nanoparticles exhibit high electrocatalytic performance and fast mass transfer rates toward the polysulfide electrolyte. Under the illumination of one sun (100 mW cm<SUP>–2</SUP>), the QDSSC with a NiS CE produces a higher <I>η</I> of 3.30 %, which is much higher than that of a Pt CE (1.89 %). Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization measurements were performed to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of the NiS CE toward polysulfide electrolyte.</P>

Simultaneous Determination of Glutamate, Glycine, and Alanine in Human Plasma Using Precolumn Derivatization with 6-Aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl Carbamate and High- Performance Liquid Chromatography

Li, Qing Zhong,Huang, Qing Xian,Li, Shu Cui,Yang, Mei Zi,Rao, Bin The Korean Society of Pharmacology 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.16 No.5

A simple, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been validated for determining concentrations of glutamate, glycine, and alanine in human plasma. Proteins in plasma were precipitated with perchloric acid, followed by derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). Simultaneous analysis of glutamate, glycine, and alanine is achieved using reversed-phase HPLC conditions and ultraviolet detection. Excellent linearity was observed for these three amino acids over their concentration ranges with correlation coefficients (r)>0.999. The intra- and inter-day precision were below 10%. This method utilizes quality control samples and demonstrates excellent plasma recovery and accuracy. The developed method has been successfully applied to measure plasma glutamate, glycine, and alanine in twenty volunteers.

Simultaneous Determination of Glutamate, Glycine, and Alanine in Human Plasma Using Precolumn Derivatization with 6-Aminoquinolyl- N-hydroxysuccinimidyl Carbamate and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Qing Zhong Li,Qing Xian Huang,Shu Cui Li,Mei Zi Yang,Bin Rao 대한약리학회 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.16 No.5

A simple, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been validated for determining concentrations of glutamate, glycine, and alanine in human plasma. Proteins in plasma were precipitated with perchloric acid, followed by derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). Simultaneous analysis of glutamate, glycine, and alanine is achieved using reversed-phase HPLC conditions and ultraviolet detection. Excellent linearity was observed for these three amino acids over their concentration ranges with correlation coefficients (r)>0.999. The intra- and inter-day precision were below 10%. This method utilizes quality control samples and demonstrates excellent plasma recovery and accuracy. The developed method has been successfully applied to measure plasma glutamate, glycine, and alanine in twenty volunteers.

Simultaneous Determination of Glutamate, Glycine, and Alanine in Human Plasma Using Precolumn Derivatization with 6-Aminoquinolyl- N-hydroxysuccinimidyl Carbamate and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Qing Zhong Li,Qing Xian Huang,Shu Cui Li,Mei Zi Yang,Bin Rao 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2012 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.15 No.5

A simple, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been validated for determining concentrations of glutamate, glycine, and alanine in human plasma. Proteins in plasma were precipitated with perchloric acid, followed by derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC). Simultaneous analysis of glutamate, glycine, and alanine is achieved using reversed-phase HPLC conditions and ultraviolet detection. Excellent linearity was observed for these three amino acids over their concentration ranges with correlation coefficients (r)>0.999. The intra- and inter-day precision were below 10%. This method utilizes quality control samples and demonstrates excellent plasma recovery and accuracy. The developed method has been successfully applied to measure plasma glutamate, glycine, and alanine in twenty volunteers.