The novel missense mutation Met48Lys in FKBP22 changes its structure and functions.

Mutations in the FKBP14 gene encoding FKBP22 (FK506 Binding Protein 22 kDa) cause kyphoscoliotic Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (kEDS). The first clinical report showed that a lack of FKBP22 protein due to mutations causing nonsense-mediated decay of the mRNA leads to a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes including progressive kyphoscoliosis, joint hypermobility, hypotonia, hyperelastic skin, hearing loss and aortic rupture. Our previous work showed that these phenotypic features could be correlated with the functions of FKBP22, which preferentially binds to type III, VI and X collagens, but not to type I, II or V collagens. We also showed that FKBP22 catalyzed the folding of type III collagen through its prolyl isomerase activity and acted as a molecular chaperone for type III collagen. Recently, a novel missense mutation Met48Lys in FKBP22 was identified in a patient with kEDS. In this report, we expand the list of substrates of FKBP22 and also demonstrate that the Met48Lys mutation diminishes the activities of FKBP22, indicating that pathology can arise from absence of FKBP22, or partial loss of its function

Explorations and Applications of Enzyme-linked Bioremediation of Synthetic Dyes

Extensive use of synthetic dyes and their subsequent release in industrial wastewater is a growing environmental problem. These dyes are recalcitrant in nature, and some dyes are also well established to be potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic as well as genotoxic. Research efforts have been devoted to develop new, low-cost, and eco-friendly treatments capable of reducing and even eliminating synthetic dye compounds from the environment. Enzymatic approach has attracted much interest recently in the decolorization of textile and other industrially important dyes from wastewater as an alternative strategy to conventional chemical, physical, and biological treatments, which pose serious limitations. In this chapter, the accumulated research data on the potential of the oxidoreductive enzymes—high redox potential peroxidases (lignin peroxidase [LiP], EC 1.11.1.14; manganese peroxidase [MnP], EC 1.11.1.13; dye decolorizing peroxidase [DyP], EC 1.11.1.19; and versatile peroxidases [VP], EC 1.11.1.16), laccases (benzenediol–oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2), polyphenol oxidases (EC 1.14.18.1), and azoreductases (azobenzene reductases, EC 1.7.1.6)—that have been exploited in the decolorization and degradation of synthetic dyes are presented. An overview of enzyme technology, including the importance of redox mediators for enhanced range of substrates and efficiency of degradation, current biodegradation applications, and suggestions to overcome the limitations to these proteins’ large scale and efficient use, is made. Different strategies currently being used and future prospects for the potential use of genetic engineering techniques to improve the performance of these oxidoreductases in terms of stability, selectivity, and catalytic activity in dye bioremediation technologies are also explored

Development and single‐particle analysis of hybrid extracellular vesicles fused with liposomes using viral fusogenic proteins

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have potential biomedical applications, particularly as a means of transport for therapeutic agents. There is a need for rapid and efficient EV-liposome membrane fusion that maintains the integrity of hybrid EVs. We recently described Sf9 insect cell-derived EVs on which functional membrane proteins were presented using a baculovirus-expression system. Here, we developed hybrid EVs by membrane fusion of small liposomes and EVs equipped with baculoviral fusogenic proteins. Single-particle analysis of EV-liposome complexes revealed controlled introduction of liposome components into EVs. Our findings and methodology will support further applications of EV engineering in biomedicine