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47 Publications visible to you, out of a total of 55
Non-Invasive Detection of Fibrotic NASH in NAFLD Patients with Low or Intermediate FIB-4

Abstract (Expand)

Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis are the main prognostic factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The FIB-4 score has been suggested as an initial test for the …l test for the exclusion of progressed fibrosis. However, increasing evidence suggests that also NASH patients with earlier fibrosis stages are at risk of disease progression, emphasizing the need for improved non-invasive risk stratification. Methods: We evaluated whether the apoptosis biomarker M30 can identify patients with fibrotic NASH despite low or intermediate FIB-4 values. Serum M30 levels were assessed by ELISA, and FIB-4 was calculated in an exploration (n = 103) and validation (n = 100) cohort of patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD. Results: The majority of patients with low FIB-4 (cut-off value < 1.3) in the exploration cohort revealed increased M30 levels (>200 U/L) and more than 80% of them had NASH, mostly with fibrosis. NASH was also detected in all patients with intermediate FIB-4 (1.3 to 2.67) and elevated M30, from which ~80% showed fibrosis. Importantly, in the absence of elevated M30, most patients with FIB-4 < 1.3 and NASH showed also no fibrosis. Similar results were obtained in the validation cohort. Conclusions: The combination of FIB-4 with M30 enables a more reliable identification of patients at risk for progressed NAFLD and might, therefore, improve patient stratification.

Authors: Katharina John, Martin Franck, Sherin Al Aoua, Monika Rau, Yvonne Huber, Joern M. Schattenberg, Andreas Geier, Matthias J. Bahr, Heiner Wedemeyer, Klaus Schulze-Osthoff, Heike Bantel

Date Published: 1st Aug 2022

Publication Type: Journal

The contributions of Prof. Kenneth F. O'Driscoll to radical copolymerization kinetics

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Robin A. Hutchinson, Bert Klumperman, Gregory T. Russell, Alexander M. Van Herk

Date Published: 1st Apr 2022

Publication Type: Journal

Making Sense of "Nonsense" and More: Challenges and Opportunities in the Genetic Code Expansion, in the World of tRNA Modifications.

Abstract (Expand)

The evolutional development of the RNA translation process that leads to protein synthesis based on naturally occurring amino acids has its continuation via synthetic biology, the so-called rational … bioengineering. Genetic code expansion (GCE) explores beyond the natural translational processes to further enhance the structural properties and augment the functionality of a wide range of proteins. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomal machinery have been proven to accept engineered tRNAs from orthogonal organisms to efficiently incorporate noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) with rationally designed side chains. These side chains can be reactive or functional groups, which can be extensively utilized in biochemical, biophysical, and cellular studies. Genetic code extension offers the contingency of introducing more than one ncAA into protein through frameshift suppression, multi-site-specific incorporation of ncAAs, thereby increasing the vast number of possible applications. However, different mediating factors reduce the yield and efficiency of ncAA incorporation into synthetic proteins. In this review, we comment on the recent advancements in genetic code expansion to signify the relevance of systems biology in improving ncAA incorporation efficiency. We discuss the emerging impact of tRNA modifications and metabolism in protein design. We also provide examples of the latest successful accomplishments in synthetic protein therapeutics and show how codon expansion has been employed in various scientific and biotechnological applications.

Authors: O. M. Lateef, M. O. Akintubosun, O. T. Olaoba, S. O. Samson, M. Adamczyk

Date Published: 15th Jan 2022

Publication Type: Journal

EnzymeML-a data exchange format for biocatalysis and enzymology.

Abstract (Expand)

EnzymeML is an XML-based data exchange format that supports the comprehensive documentation of enzymatic data by describing reaction conditions, time courses of substrate and product concentrations, … the kinetic model, and the estimated kinetic constants. EnzymeML is based on the Systems Biology Markup Language, which was extended by implementing the STRENDA Guidelines. An EnzymeML document serves as a container to transfer data between experimental platforms, modeling tools, and databases. EnzymeML supports the scientific community by introducing a standardized data exchange format to make enzymatic data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable according to the FAIR data principles. An application programming interface in Python supports the integration of software tools for data acquisition, data analysis, and publication. The feasibility of a seamless data flow using EnzymeML is demonstrated by creating an EnzymeML document from a structured spreadsheet or from a STRENDA DB database entry, by kinetic modeling using the modeling platform COPASI, and by uploading to the enzymatic reaction kinetics database SABIO-RK.

Authors: J. Range, C. Halupczok, J. Lohmann, N. Swainston, C. Kettner, F. T. Bergmann, A. Weidemann, U. Wittig, S. Schnell, J. Pleiss

Date Published: 11th Dec 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Keratinases as Versatile Enzymatic Tools for Sustainable Development

Abstract (Expand)

To reduce anthropological pressure on the environment, the implementation of novel technologies in present and future economies is needed for sustainable development. The food industry, with dairy and …with dairy and meat production in particular, has a significant environmental impact. Global poultry production is one of the fastest-growing meat producing sectors and is connected with the generation of burdensome streams of manure, offal and feather waste. In 2020, the EU alone produced around 3.2 million tonnes of poultry feather waste composed primarily of keratin, a protein biopolymer resistant to conventional proteolytic enzymes. If not managed properly, keratin waste can significantly affect ecosystems, contributing to environmental pollution, and pose a serious hazard to human and livestock health. In this article, the application of keratinolytic enzymes and microorganisms for promising novel keratin waste management methods with generation of new value-added products, such as bioactive peptides, vitamins, prion decontamination agents and biomaterials were reviewed.

Authors: Marcin Sypka, Iga Jodłowska, Aneta M. Białkowska

Date Published: 1st Dec 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Prediction and analysis of redox-sensitive cysteines using machine learning and statistical methods.

Abstract (Expand)

Reactive oxygen species are produced by a number of stimuli and can lead both to irreversible intracellular damage and signaling through reversible post-translational modification. It is unclear which … factors contribute to the sensitivity of cysteines to redox modification. Here, we used statistical and machine learning methods to investigate the influence of different structural and sequence features on the modifiability of cysteines. We found several strong structural predictors for redox modification. Sensitive cysteines tend to be characterized by higher exposure, a lack of secondary structure elements, and a high number of positively charged amino acids in their close environment. Our results indicate that modified cysteines tend to occur close to other post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylated serines. We used these features to create models and predict the presence of redox-modifiable cysteines in human mitochondrial complex I as well as make novel predictions regarding redox-sensitive cysteines in proteins.

Authors: M. Kessler, I. Wittig, J. Ackermann, I. Koch

Date Published: 27th Jul 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Structural dynamics bridge the gap between the genetic and functional levels of GPCRs.

Abstract (Expand)

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are implicated in nearly all physiological processes in the human body and represent an important drug targeting class. The genes encoding the different GPCR (sub)types … determine their specific functionality, which can be altered by natural genetic variants and isoforms. Deciphering the molecular link between sequence diversity and its functional consequences is a current challenge and critical for the comprehension of the physiological response of GPCRs. It requires a global understanding of how protein sequence translates into protein structure, how this impacts the structural motions of the protein, and, finally, how all these factors determine the receptor functionality. Here, we discuss available resources and state-of-the-art computational approaches to address this question.

Authors: M. Torrens-Fontanals, T. M. Stepniewski, D. E. Gloriam, J. Selent

Date Published: 27th May 2021

Publication Type: Journal

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