Biochemical characteristics of inconsistent free T₄ assays

Serum levels of free thyroxine (T4) are helpful in the clinical evaluation of patients who are suspected of having thyroid disease, since free T4 (unbound) is known to closely relate to hyper, eu and hypothyroidism. There are documented inconsistencies among commercially available direct free thyroxine immunoassays. The biochemical basis for these inconsistencies is not understood and has not been characterized. Direct free T4 measurements have been linked to both T4-binding serum protein concentrations and protein-bound T4 concentrations. A free T4 reference method using direct equilibrium dialysis radioimmunoassay has been well characterized. New experiments have applied this equilibrium dialysis reference method and a well characterized total T4 immunoassay to the characterization of eight commercially available direct free T4 immunoassays. The data contained in this dissertation show that these direct free T4 determinations correlate with protein-bound T4 concentrations, total T4 concentrations or both. These direct free T4 immunoassays are non-specific, insensitive and inaccurate when used to measure normal levels of free thyroxine in serum

Neuronal SIRT3 Deletion Predisposes to Female-Specific Alterations in Cellular Metabolism, Memory, and Network Excitability

Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of neurologic disorders and aging. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) regulates mitochondrial function in response to the cellular environment through the reversible deacetylation of proteins involved in metabolism and reactive oxygen species detoxification. As the primary mitochondrial deacetylase, germline, or peripheral tissue-specific deletion of SIRT3 produces mitochondrial hyperacetylation and the accelerated development of age-related diseases. Given the unique metabolic demands of neurons, the role of SIRT3 in the brain is only beginning to emerge. Using mass spectrometry-based acetylomics, high-resolution respirometry, video-EEG, and cognition testing, we report targeted deletion of SIRT3 from select neurons in the cortex and hippocampus produces altered neuronal excitability and metabolic dysfunction in female mice. Targeted deletion of SIRT3 from neuronal helix-loop-helix 1 (NEX)-expressing neurons resulted in mitochondrial hyperacetylation, female-specific superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) modification, increased steady-state superoxide levels, metabolic reprogramming, altered neuronal excitability, and working spatial memory deficits. Inducible neuronal deletion of SIRT3 likewise produced female-specific deficits in spatial working memory. Together, the data demonstrate that deletion of SIRT3 from forebrain neurons selectively predisposes female mice to deficits in mitochondrial and cognitive function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mitochondrial SIRT3 is an enzyme shown to regulate energy metabolism and antioxidant function, by direct deacetylation of proteins. In this study, we show that neuronal SIRT3 deficiency renders female mice selectively vulnerable to impairment in redox and metabolic function, spatial memory, and neuronal excitability. The observed sex-specific effects on cognition and neuronal excitability in female SIRT3-deficient mice suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may be one factor underlying comorbid neuronal diseases, such as Alzheimer\u27s disease and epilepsy. Furthermore, the data suggest that SIRT3 dysfunction may predispose females to age-related metabolic and cognitive impairment

Characterization of 4-HNE Modified L-FABP Reveals Alterations in Structural and Functional Dynamics

4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a reactive α,β-unsaturated aldehyde produced during oxidative stress and subsequent lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The reactivity of 4-HNE towards DNA and nucleophilic amino acids has been well established. In this report, using proteomic approaches, liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is identified as a target for modification by 4-HNE. This lipid binding protein mediates the uptake and trafficking of hydrophobic ligands throughout cellular compartments. Ethanol caused a significant decrease in L-FABP protein (P<0.001) and mRNA (P<0.05), as well as increased poly-ubiquitinated L-FABP (P<0.001). Sites of 4-HNE adduction on mouse recombinant L-FABP were mapped using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry on apo (Lys57 and Cys69) and holo (Lys6, Lys31, His43, Lys46, Lys57 and Cys69) L-FABP. The impact of 4-HNE adduction was found to occur in a concentration-dependent manner; affinity for the fluorescent ligand, anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid, was reduced from 0.347 µM to Kd1 = 0.395 µM and Kd2 = 34.20 µM. Saturation analyses revealed that capacity for ligand is reduced by approximately 50% when adducted by 4-HNE. Thermal stability curves of apo L-FABP was also found to be significantly affected by 4-HNE adduction (ΔTm = 5.44°C, P<0.01). Computational-based molecular modeling simulations of adducted protein revealed minor conformational changes in global protein structure of apo and holo L-FABP while more apparent differences were observed within the internal binding pocket, revealing reduced area and structural integrity. New solvent accessible portals on the periphery of the protein were observed following 4-HNE modification in both the apo and holo state, suggesting an adaptive response to carbonylation. The results from this study detail the dynamic process associated with L-FABP modification by 4-HNE and provide insight as to how alterations in structural integrity and ligand binding may a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of ALD

Taxonomy based on science is necessary for global conservation

Peer reviewe

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Biochemical genesis of enzymatic and non-enzymatic post-translational modifications

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) alter protein structure, function, and localization and play a pivotal role in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Many PTMs arise from endogenous metabolic intermediates and serve as sensors for metabolic feedback to maintain cell growth and homeostasis. A key feature to PTMs is their biochemical genesis, which can result from either non-enzymatic adduction (nPTMs) or through enzyme-catalyzed reactions (ePTMs). The abundance and site-specificity of PTMs are determined by dedicated classes of enzymes that add (writers) or remove (erasers) the chemical addition. In this review we will highlight the biochemical genesis and regulation of a few of the 700+ PTMs that have been identified.NIGMS12 month embargo; available online 24 November 2021This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Biochemical Mechanisms of Sirtuin-Directed Protein Acylation in Hepatic Pathologies of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondrial protein acetylation is associated with a host of diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and metabolic syndrome. Deciphering the mechanisms regarding how protein acetylation contributes to disease pathologies remains difficult due to the complex diversity of pathways targeted by lysine acetylation. Specifically, protein acetylation is thought to direct feedback from metabolism, whereby nutritional status influences mitochondrial pathways including beta-oxidation, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Acetylation provides a crucial connection between hepatic metabolism and mitochondrial function. Dysregulation of protein acetylation throughout the cell can alter mitochondrial function and is associated with numerous liver diseases, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review introduces biochemical mechanisms of protein acetylation in the regulation of mitochondrial function and hepatic diseases and offers a viewpoint on the potential for targeted therapies

Characterizing Sirtuin 3 Deacetylase Affinity for Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) plays a central role in the detoxification of reactive aldehydes generated through endogenous and exogenous sources. The biochemical regulation of enzyme activity through post-translational modification provides an intricate response system regulating mitochondrial detoxification pathways. ALDH2 is a known target of lysine acetylation, which arises as a consequence of mitochondrial bioenergetic flux and sirtuin deacetylase activity. The mitochondrial deacetylase Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) has been reported to alter ALDH2 lysine acetylation status, yet the mechanism and consequence of this interaction remain unknown. The in vitro results presented here provide a novel biochemical approach using stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry to elucidate which lysine residues are targeted by SIRT3 for deacetylation. Furthermore, HPLC–MS/MS and computational modeling elucidate a potential role for acetyl-Lys369 on ALDH2 in perturbing normal β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) cofactor binding

Ethanol Metabolism Modifies Hepatic Protein Acylation in Mice

<div><p>Mitochondrial protein acetylation increases in response to chronic ethanol ingestion in mice, and is thought to reduce mitochondrial function and contribute to the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. The mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 regulates the acetylation status of several mitochondrial proteins, including those involved in ethanol metabolism. The newly discovered desuccinylase activity of the mitochondrial sirtuin SIRT5 suggests that protein succinylation could be an important post-translational modification regulating mitochondrial metabolism. To assess the possible role of protein succinylation in ethanol metabolism, we surveyed hepatic sub-cellular protein fractions from mice fed a control or ethanol-supplemented diet for succinyl-lysine, as well as acetyl-, propionyl-, and butyryl-lysine post-translational modifications. We found mitochondrial protein propionylation increases, similar to mitochondrial protein acetylation. In contrast, mitochondrial protein succinylation is reduced. These mitochondrial protein modifications appear to be primarily driven by ethanol metabolism, and not by changes in mitochondrial sirtuin levels. Similar trends in acyl modifications were observed in the nucleus. However, comparatively fewer acyl modifications were observed in the cytoplasmic or the microsomal compartments, and were generally unchanged by ethanol metabolism. Using a mass spectrometry proteomics approach, we identified several candidate acetylated, propionylated, and succinylated proteins, which were enriched using antibodies against each modification. Additionally, we identified several acetyl and propionyl lysine residues on the same sites for a number of proteins and supports the idea of the overlapping nature of lysine-specific acylation. Thus, we show that novel post-translational modifications are present in hepatic mitochondrial, nuclear, cytoplasmic, and microsomal compartments and ethanol ingestion, and its associated metabolism, induce specific changes in these acyl modifications. These data suggest that protein acylation, beyond protein acetylation, contributes to the overall metabolic regulatory network and could play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease.</p> </div

Mitochondrial extracts were isolated from livers of wild-type or SIRT3KO mice fed a standard or ethanol diet for 6-8 weeks and analyzed for total protein acetylation (A), propionylation (B), butyrylation (C), and succinylation (D) by western blot analysis with an acyllysine-specific antibody; normalized to total mitochondrial content using anti-voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC); n = 4 mice/condition.

<p>Mitochondrial extracts were isolated from livers of wild-type or SIRT3KO mice fed a standard or ethanol diet for 6-8 weeks and analyzed for total protein acetylation (A), propionylation (B), butyrylation (C), and succinylation (D) by western blot analysis with an acyllysine-specific antibody; normalized to total mitochondrial content using anti-voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC); n = 4 mice/condition.</p