Plasmodium falciparum Hsp70-x : a heat shock protein at the host-parasite interface
- Hatherley, R, Blatch, Gregory L, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Hatherley, R , Blatch, Gregory L , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007081 , https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2013.834849
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum 70 kDa heat shock proteins (PfHsp70s) are expressed at all stages of the pathogenic erythrocytic phase of the malaria parasite lifecycle. There are six PfHsp70s,all of which have orthologues in other plasmodial species, except for PfHsp70-x which is unique to P. falciparum. This paper highlights a number of original results obtained by a detailed bioinformatics analysis of the protein. Large scale sequence analysis indicated the presence of an extended transit peptide sequence of PfHsp70-x which potentially directs it to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Further analysis showed that PfHsp70-x does not have an ER-retention sequence, suggesting that the protein transits through the ER and is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) or beyond into the erythrocyte cytosol. These results are consistent with experimental findings. Next, possible interactions between PfHsp70-x and exported P. falciparum Hsp40s or host erythrocyte DnaJs were interrogated by modeling and docking. Docking results indicated that interaction between PfHsp70-x and each of the Hsp40s, regardless of biological feasibility, seems equally likely. This suggests that J domain might not provide the specificity in the formation of unique Hsp70-Hsp40 complexes, but that the specificity might be provided by other domains of Hsp40s. By studying different structural conformations of PfHsp70-x, it was shown that Hsp40s can only bind when PfHsp70-x is in a certain conformation. Additionally, this work highlighted the possible dependence of the substrate binding domain residues on the orientation of the α-helical lid for formation of the substrate binding pocket.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hatherley, R , Blatch, Gregory L , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007081 , https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2013.834849
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum 70 kDa heat shock proteins (PfHsp70s) are expressed at all stages of the pathogenic erythrocytic phase of the malaria parasite lifecycle. There are six PfHsp70s,all of which have orthologues in other plasmodial species, except for PfHsp70-x which is unique to P. falciparum. This paper highlights a number of original results obtained by a detailed bioinformatics analysis of the protein. Large scale sequence analysis indicated the presence of an extended transit peptide sequence of PfHsp70-x which potentially directs it to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Further analysis showed that PfHsp70-x does not have an ER-retention sequence, suggesting that the protein transits through the ER and is secreted into the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) or beyond into the erythrocyte cytosol. These results are consistent with experimental findings. Next, possible interactions between PfHsp70-x and exported P. falciparum Hsp40s or host erythrocyte DnaJs were interrogated by modeling and docking. Docking results indicated that interaction between PfHsp70-x and each of the Hsp40s, regardless of biological feasibility, seems equally likely. This suggests that J domain might not provide the specificity in the formation of unique Hsp70-Hsp40 complexes, but that the specificity might be provided by other domains of Hsp40s. By studying different structural conformations of PfHsp70-x, it was shown that Hsp40s can only bind when PfHsp70-x is in a certain conformation. Additionally, this work highlighted the possible dependence of the substrate binding domain residues on the orientation of the α-helical lid for formation of the substrate binding pocket.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of measles-specific IgG antibodies after measles infections
- Mashazi, Philani N, Tetyana, Phumlani, Vilakazi, Sibulelo, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020575
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020575
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028
- Full Text: false
Influence of nanoparticle materials on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines
- Nyokong, Tebello, Antunes, Edith M
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020577
- Description: This review presents recent data on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines when conjugated to quantum dots, gold and magnetic nanoparticles. In some cases such conjugates offer the possibility of being used in “combination therapy”, where two or more substances may be used for treating one disease. The review focuses on the effect that the presence of nanoparticles has on the excited and triplet state parameters of the phthalocyanines. Five tables listing these parameters are presented. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2013.03.016
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Nyokong, Tebello , Antunes, Edith M
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020577
- Description: This review presents recent data on the photophysical behavior of phthalocyanines when conjugated to quantum dots, gold and magnetic nanoparticles. In some cases such conjugates offer the possibility of being used in “combination therapy”, where two or more substances may be used for treating one disease. The review focuses on the effect that the presence of nanoparticles has on the excited and triplet state parameters of the phthalocyanines. Five tables listing these parameters are presented. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2013.03.016
- Full Text: false
Physicochemical properties of a zinc phthalocyanine – pyrene conjugate adsorbed onto single walled carbon nanotubes
- Ogbodu, Racheal O, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020589
- Description: A conjugate between zinc monoamino phthalocyanine (ZnMAPc) and pyrene (Py) represented as ZnMAPc–Py (complex 3) was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and by elemental analysis. This manuscript also reports on the photochemical and photophysical properties of 3. This new compound exhibited higher triplet, fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields in comparison to the phthalocyanine alone, hence showing the advantages of attaching pyrene to the Pc without breaking the conjugation. We also observed a decrease in photophysical parameters upon adsorbing the ZnMAPc–Py complex onto single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). However, ZnMAPc–Py still generated some singlet oxygen when adsorbed onto SWCNT. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3DT50335F
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ogbodu, Racheal O , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020589
- Description: A conjugate between zinc monoamino phthalocyanine (ZnMAPc) and pyrene (Py) represented as ZnMAPc–Py (complex 3) was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and by elemental analysis. This manuscript also reports on the photochemical and photophysical properties of 3. This new compound exhibited higher triplet, fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields in comparison to the phthalocyanine alone, hence showing the advantages of attaching pyrene to the Pc without breaking the conjugation. We also observed a decrease in photophysical parameters upon adsorbing the ZnMAPc–Py complex onto single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). However, ZnMAPc–Py still generated some singlet oxygen when adsorbed onto SWCNT. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C3DT50335F
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The development of catalytic oxovanadium(IV)-containing microspheres for the oxidation of various organosulfur compounds
- Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S, Khene, M Samson, Antunes, Edith M, Nyokong, Tebello, Torto, Nelson, Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Authors: Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S , Khene, M Samson , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020574
- Description: The development of poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA] beads containing a tetradentate ligand was achieved via suspension polymerization. The catalyst poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]-VO was synthesized by reacting VIVOSO4 with poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]. XPS and EPR were used to confirm the presence of vanadium (V4+) on the beads. The synthesized catalyst (poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]-VO) was found to have a BET surface area of 22 m2 g−1 and porosity of 135 Å, with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) showing more insight on the porous nature of the beads. Oxidation of thiophene (TH), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) was carried out using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as oxidant. An overall conversion of 60%, 82%, 98% and 87% was achieved for thiophene (TH), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6 dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) respectively at higher (t-BuOOH) to substrate ratio and at a temperature of 40 °C. The efficient oxidation of the various organosulfur compounds presents potential for the possible application of this catalyst in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of crude oil. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2013.05.004
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Ogunlaja, Adeniyi S , Khene, M Samson , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello , Torto, Nelson , Tshentu, Zenixole R
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020574
- Description: The development of poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA] beads containing a tetradentate ligand was achieved via suspension polymerization. The catalyst poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]-VO was synthesized by reacting VIVOSO4 with poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]. XPS and EPR were used to confirm the presence of vanadium (V4+) on the beads. The synthesized catalyst (poly[allylSB-co-EGDMA]-VO) was found to have a BET surface area of 22 m2 g−1 and porosity of 135 Å, with the atomic force microscopy (AFM) showing more insight on the porous nature of the beads. Oxidation of thiophene (TH), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) was carried out using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) as oxidant. An overall conversion of 60%, 82%, 98% and 87% was achieved for thiophene (TH), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6 dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) respectively at higher (t-BuOOH) to substrate ratio and at a temperature of 40 °C. The efficient oxidation of the various organosulfur compounds presents potential for the possible application of this catalyst in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of crude oil. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2013.05.004
- Full Text: false