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The search and design for the better use of bioactive compounds are used in many experiments to best mimic compounds' functions in the human body. However, finding a cost-effective and timesaving approach is a top priority in different disciplines. Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) and particularly deep learning (DL) methods are widely applied to improve the precision and accuracy of models used in the drug discovery process. DL approaches have been used to provide more opportunities for a faster, efficient, cost-effective, and reliable computer-aided drug discovery. Moreover, the increasing biomedical data volume in areas, like genome sequences, medical images, protein structures, etc., has made data mining algorithms very important in finding novel compounds that could be drugs, uncovering or repurposing drugs and improving the area of genetic markers-based personalized medicine. Furthermore, deep neural networks (DNNs) have been demonstrated to outperform other techniques such as random forests and SVMs for QSAR studies and ligand-based virtual screening. Despite this, in QSAR studies, the quality of different data sources and potential experimental errors has greatly affected the accuracy of QSAR predictions. Therefore, further researches are still needed to improve the accuracy, selectivity, and sensitivity of the DL approach in building the best models of drug discovery., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Summary: Maize grain is deficient in lysine. While the opaque2 mutation increases grain lysine, o2 is a transcription factor that regulates a wide network of genes beyond zeins, which leads to pleiotropic and often negative effects. Additionally, the drastic reduction in 19 kDa and 22 kDa alpha‐zeins causes a floury kernel, unsuitable for agricultural use. Quality protein maize (QPM) overcame the undesirable kernel texture through the introgression of modifying alleles. However, QPM still lacks a functional o2 transcription factor, which has a penalty on non‐lysine amino acids due to the o2 mutation. CRISPR/cas9 gives researchers the ability to directly target genes of interest. In this paper, gene editing was used to specifically target the 19 kDa alpha zein gene family. This allows for proteome rebalancing to occur without an o2 mutation and without a total alpha‐zein knockout. The results showed that editing some, but not all, of the 19 kDa zeins resulted in up to 30% more lysine. An edited line displayed an increase of 30% over the wild type. While not quite the 55% lysine increase displayed by QPM, the line had little collateral impact on other amino acid levels compared to QPM. Additionally, the edited line containing a partially reduced 19 kDa showed an advantage in kernel texture that had a complete 19 kDa knockout. These results serve as proof of concept that editing the 19 kDa alpha‐zein family alone can enhance lysine while retaining vitreous endosperm and a functional O2 transcription factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims: There is emerging evidence that heavy long‐term alcohol consumption may alter the neuroimmune profile. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the extent of neuroinflammation using cerebrospinal (CSF), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and postmortem studies. Design and methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Protocols (PRISMA‐P) for AUD‐related terms in combination with neuroinflammatory markers and cytokine‐ and chemokine‐related terms for CSF, PET, and postmortem studies. Participants had to meet established criteria for AUD and/or heavy alcohol consumption with dependence features and be compared with healthy controls. Papers retrieved were assessed for inclusion criteria and a critical appraisal was completed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. A meta‐analysis was conducted on postmortem and PET studies. Results: Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria with CSF, PET, and postmortem studies included in the final analysis. Postmortem studies demonstrate significant heterogeneity (푄 (14) = 62.02, 푝 < 0.001), with the alcohol group showing higher levels of neuroimmune markers than controls (푑 = 1.50 [95% CI 0.56, 2.45]). PET studies demonstrated a lower [11C] PBR28 total volume of distribution (VT) for translocator protein in the hippocampus (g = −1.95 [95% CI −2.72, −1.18], p < 0.001) of the alcohol group compared to controls. Conclusion: There is emerging evidence across multiple diagnostic modalities that alcohol impacts neuroimmune signaling in the human brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, wound dressing materials made of silk fibroin (SF) and transgenic SF with Arg-Gly-Asp motifs (TG-RGD SF) were developed. Initially, an animal evaluation experiment with mice to demonstrate the usefulness of SF film as a wound dressing was performed. The amorphous SF film was shown to promote the formation of granulation tissue and neovessels in the dermis, leading to skin regeneration. As a result, amorphous SF film is suitable for use as a wound dressing materials. Then, the SF- Human umbilical vein endothelial cells signaling pathway was determined by cell proliferation assay with pharmacological inhibitors. Subsequently, a mice evaluation experiment to assess the promotion of healing effects using TG-RGD SF was conducted and the results were compared with those obtained using SF. In the wound area evaluation and the quantitative evaluation of granulation tissue formation, the TG-RGD SF film promoted dermis regeneration more than the SF film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) are rare neoplasms occurring in young women with 60% associated with DICER1 mutations. This is only the second published case series of patients with SLCTs with associated DICER1 gene alterations. DICER1 syndrome is a rare inherited tumor‐susceptibility syndrome affecting organs such as the ovaries. We use this case series to inform readers on this increasingly important condition in gynecology. Methods and Results: We present three young females presenting with secondary amenorrhoea, hirsutism, acne and in one case tonic–clonic seizures. All cases had high testosterone levels and an adnexal mass on ultrasound. Following surgical removal, pathology confirmed SLCTs and genetic testing followed. All three patients had DICER1 syndrome with two patients subsequently found to be related. Discussion: The prevalence of DICER1 syndrome in the population is estimated to be 1 in 10 000 with a spectrum of sex cord stromal tumors affecting young women. The associated pathological classifications and management. This paper describes the DICER1 gene and the associated tumor predisposition syndrome alongside a surveillance protocol for use in clinical practice. It promotes discussion over the importance of early clinical genetics involvement in sex‐cord stromal tumors and the associated difficulties in counseling in a young patient population. Genetic testing and early detection are imperative for targeted surveillance of at‐risk organs to be performed but despite this there is no international guidance. The cases highlight the psychological impact of tumors in young patients and provokes an ethical discussion over DICER1 gene's inclusion in preimplantation genetics. Conclusions: DICER1 syndrome is a rare but increasingly important condition in pediatric and adolescent gynecology with a paucity of published data and case reports. This makes international consensus on management and surveillance difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing global consumption of protein over the last five decades, coupled with concerns about the impact on emissions of animal‐based protein production, has created interest in alternative protein sources. Microbial proteins (MPs), derived through the fermentation of agro‐industrial byproducts, present a promising option. This review assesses a century of advancements in this domain. We conducted a comprehensive review and meta‐analysis, examining 347 relevant research papers to identify trends, technological advancements, and key influencing factors in the production of MP. The analysis covered the types of feedstocks and microbes, fermentation methods, and the implications of nucleic acid content on the food‐grade quality of proteins. A conditional inference tree model and Bayesian factor were used to ascertain the impact of various parameters on protein content. Out of all the studied parameters, such as type of feedstock (lignocellulose, free sugars, gases, and others), type of fermentation (solid, liquid, gas), type of microbe (bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mix), and operating parameters (temperature, time, and pH), the type of fermentation and microbe were identified as the largest influences on protein content. Gas and liquid fermentation demonstrated higher protein content, averaging 52% and 42%, respectively. Among microbes, bacterial species produced a higher protein content of 51%. The suitable operating parameters, such as pH, time, and temperature, were also identified for different microbes. The results point to opportunities for continued innovation in feedstock, microbes, and regulatory alignment to fully realize the potential of MP in contributing to global food security and sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, BSA surface‐imprinted magnetic Fe‐Ni bimetallic oxide shell nanorods (m‐FeNi@MIPs@PCBMA) were prepared with the assistance of poly(3‐[[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethylammonium] propionate (PCBMA) in connection with the surface‐imprinting technique. The Fe‐Ni bimetallic oxide shell layer nanorods (m‐FeNi) with magnetic responsiveness simplified the separation and recovery process of adsorbed materials. The controlled introduction of PCBMA facilitated the reduction of protein non‐specific adsorption. At the optimal encapsulation ratio of 1:0.75 (Wm‐FeNi@MIPs: WCBMA), m‐FeNi@MIPs@PCBMA could adsorb 122.98 ± 5.00 mg/g of BSA within 80 min, and the value of the imprinting factor (IF) was also increased from 1.68 (m‐FeNi@MIPs) to 3.95. In the mixed protein adsorption and real sample separation experiments, m‐FeNi@MIPs@PCBMA could selectively separate BSA. Meanwhile, after seven adsorption–desorption experiments, the loss of BSA adsorption by the imprinted nanorods was only 15.9%, which had good reusability. Therefore, m‐FeNi@MIPs@PCBMA has a broader application prospect in the field of protein separation and purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms of pelvic masses, elevated serum CA125 levels, massive ascites, and pleural effusion in female patients are usually associated with malignancy. Some benign ovarian tumors or other nonmalignant tumors may also produce similar symptoms, called Meigs syndrome or pseudo‐Meigs' syndrome, which should be one of the differential diagnoses. However, there is an extremely rare form of SLE called pseudo‐pseudo Meigs syndrome (PPMS), which may also present with the above symptoms, but is not associated with any of the tumors. In this paper, we report a case of a 47‐year‐old woman who presented with abdominal distention. The patient was found to have elevated serum CA125 levels to 182.9 U/mL before the operation. Her PET‐CT suggested a large heterogeneous mass in the pelvis measuring 8.2 × 5.8 cm with a large amount of ascites. She was initially diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent exploratory laparotomy. Pathology of the surgical specimen revealed a uterine leiomyoma. Two months after discharge, the patient's ascites reappeared along with recurrent intestinal obstruction. After ascites and serological tests, she was eventually diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and received systemic hormonal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins produced by cap‐independent translation mediated by an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in tumour progression. To date, numerous studies have been performed on circRNAs and the proteins they encode. In this review, we summarize the biogenesis of circRNAs and the mechanisms regulating circRNA‐encoded proteins expression. We also describe relevant research methods and their applications to biological processes such as tumour cell proliferation, metastasis, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis, autophagy and chemoresistance. This paper offers deeper insights into the roles that circRNA‐encoded proteins play in tumours. It also provides a theoretical basis for the use of circRNA‐encoded proteins as biomarkers of tumorigenesis and for the development of new targets for tumour therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria remains a threat to global public health and the available antimalarial drugs are undermined by side effects and parasite resistance, suggesting an emphasis on new potential targets. Among the novel targets, Plasmodium falciparum autophagy‐related proteins (PfAtg) remain a priority. In this paper, we reviewed the existing knowledge on the functions and structural biology of PfAtg including the compounds with inhibitory activity toward P. falciparum Atg8‐Atg3 protein–protein interaction (PfAtg8‐PfAtg3 PPI). A total of five PfAtg (PfAtg5, PfAtg8, PfAtg12, PfAtg18, and Rab7) were observed to have autophagic and/or non‐autophagic roles. Available data showed that PfAtg8 has conserved hydrophobic pockets, which allows it to interact with PfAtg3 to form PfAtg8‐PfAtg3 PPI. Additionally, 2‐bromo‐N‐(4‐pyridin‐2‐yl‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl) benzamide was identified as the most powerful inhibitor of PfAtg8‐PfAtg3 PPI. Due to the dearth of knowledge in this field, we hope that the article would open an avenue to further research on the remaining PfAtg as possible drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for analyzing the biochemical properties of biological samples such as proteins, cellular materials, and tissues. It provides objective information on samples and has been adopted in many research areas of biomedical and biotechnological interest. FTIR spectroscopy can be performed using different approaches at the macro and micro levels allowing the examination of an incredibly broad class of materials. However, it has become evident that the choice of proper spectra acquisition geometries and the modalities of sample preparation in FTIR spectroscopy analysis require special consideration, especially for certain classes of materials such as cells and tissues. In the present paper, we described the different procedures used for preparing and analyzing different types of biological and biotechnological samples when the more largely available approaches are employed using a commercial FTIR spectrometer. Some basic aspects of data analysis procedures are presented in an Appendix. A certain number of our previous experimental results are reported for demonstrating once more the versatility and the potentiality of FTIR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As biological macromolecules, proteins are involved in important cellular functions ranging from DNA replication and biosynthesis to metabolic signalling and environmental sensing. Protein sequencing can help understand the relationship between protein function and structure, and provide key information for disease diagnosis and new drug design. Nanopore sensors are a novel technology to achieve the goal of label‐free and high‐throughput protein sequencing. In recent years, nanopore‐based biosensors have been widely used in the detection and analysis of biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. At the same time, computer simulations can describe the transport of proteins through nanopores at the atomic level. This paper reviews the applications of nanopore sensors in protein sequencing over the past decade and the solutions to key problems from a computer simulation perspective, with the aim of pointing the way to the future of nanopore protein sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological therapeutics are increasingly being formulated to high protein concentrations to decrease drug substance storage space and increase the flexibility of administration to patients. With the higher protein concentration targets comes added challenges to the downstream purification manufacturing process. Tangential flow filtration (TFF) operations are typically performed to reach target protein concentration. TFF operations for a given drug substance may include an Ultrafiltration and Diafiltration (UFDF) step, or a UFDF step followed by a single pass tangential flow filtration (SPTFF) step. Whether a TFF step achieves a target protein concentration is determined by at‐line protein concentration measurements performed at the completion of a process step. If the measured protein concentration is outside the specified range, the unit operation may need to be restarted, reprocessing may need to be performed, or a batch may need to be terminated. Out of specification protein concentration measurements may be a result of the TFF operation or sample measurement. Increased viscosities associated with high concentration TFF operations pose added challenges to the TFF process and sample measurement. Implementation of an inline process analytical technology (PAT) to monitor real‐time protein concentration during TFF operations has the potential to improve the accuracy of the operations in achieving target protein concentrations. This will result in improved process consistency and efficiency, increased operator confidence and decreased likelihood of batch failures. This paper studies the performance of a K‐Patents PR‐23 refractometer (Vaisala) as a PAT to monitor and control the UFDF and SPTFF unit operations of a commercial scale monoclonal antibody purification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimulus‐sensitive drug delivery materials are of vital significance to modern therapeutic technology. In particular, glucose‐responsive hydrogels capable of biomimetic release of hypoglycemic drugs according to glucose concentrations are one of the current research hotspots. In this paper, an injectable, glucose‐induced disintegrated natural‐polysaccharide‐based hydrogel with good self‐healing ability and biocompatibility is reported. The glucose‐responsiveness of the hydrogel stems from the reversible phenylborate ester bonds. The glucose‐triggered disintegration and insulin release are demonstrated in the hydrogel in a physiological environment. The two polymers produced by the disintegration of the hydrogel have good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Therefore, the hydrogel is considered to result in the development of smart insulin delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) presently dominate the biotherapeutic market. However, biotherapeutics in general, and mAbs in particular, are expensive therapies and outside the realm of affordability for most of the world. In an attempt to lower their cost of manufacturing, a novel in‐house non‐protein A continuous platform has recently been reported for mAb purification. In this paper, we perform an in‐depth evaluation of the process economics to assess the impact of removing the protein A step on the cost of goods (COGs). RESULTS: The non‐protein A platform was found to result in significant savings in COGs at about 23% when comparing both platforms in batch mode. Conversion of the non‐protein A platform from batch to continuous mode led to a further increase in these savings with about 39% gains in COGs over the conventional protein A platform. CONCLUSIONS: The non‐protein A purification platform offers a viable alternative to the standard protein A platform and can be considered when setting up a new facility. The continuous non‐protein A platform can especially be considered given the flexibility of the setup and the utility at both small and large scales. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing plays a critical role in addressing macro‐level societal problems, one of which relates to the reduction of meat consumption and increased consumption of alternative proteins. Such consumption practices are gaining attention given the rising concerns about food sustainability, safety, security, nutrition, and animal welfare. This paper provides a framework‐based systematic review of alternative protein consumption research, identifying relevant articles published between 2000 and 2020. Our framework combines the socio‐ecological model and capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behavior (COM‐B) to identify the various factors influencing alternative protein consumption. Antecedents – facilitators and barriers – of alternative protein consumption are organized, synthesized, and discussed using this combined model of behavioral influence. Our review outlines methodological approaches, identifies main variables of interest, highlights the opportunity for further theoretical development, and identifies gaps in research related to individual‐level opportunities and system‐level motivations. We conclude with theoretical, contextual, and methodological directions for marketing and consumer research to better understand and shape decisions and practices regarding the consumption of alternative proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical modification of proteins is an effective technique for manipulating the properties and functions of proteins, and for creating protein‐based materials. The N‐terminus is a promising target for single‐site modification that provides modified proteins with uniform structures and properties. In this paper, a copper(II)‐mediated aldol reaction with 2‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde (2‐PC) derivatives is proposed as an operationally simple method to selectively modify the N‐terminus of peptides and proteins at room temperature and physiological pH. The copper(II) ion activates the N‐terminal amino acids by complexation with an imine of the N‐terminal amino acid and 2‐PCs, realizing the selective formation of the nucleophilic intermediate at the N‐terminus. This results in a stable carbon‐carbon bond between the 2‐PCs and the α‐carbon of various N‐terminal amino acids. The reaction is applied to four different proteins, including biopharmaceuticals such as filgrastim and trastuzumab. The modified trastuzumab retains the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 recognition activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a natural polymer, zein, is converted into a disposable and environmentally friendly surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) biosensor platform to detect toxins. First, protein nanofiber mats were fabricated using electrospinning. Next, the surface of the fibers was decorated with metallic nanoparticles to create hotspots for the detection of the target molecule. Four types of metallic nanoparticles were tested for sensitivity optimization: gold, silver, silver‐shelled‐gold, and a mixture of gold and silver nanoparticles. Silver‐shelled‐gold nanoparticles gave the highest SERS intensity, and at the concentration of 1012 particles/ml, the highest enhancement factor (EF) of 2.49 × 106 was reached, which is the highest EF ever reported for a zein‐based biodegradable platform. Acrylamide was used as the model food carcinogenic toxin and its detection with this nanofiber‐based platform gave a limit of detection of 2.06 ng/ml. This LOD is 104 times lower than the limit of detection that was achieved previously with a zein‐based SERS platform. Other sensitive analytical methods (GC–MS and LC–MS/MS) gave LODs of 5–10 and 20–50 ng/ml for acrylamide, much higher than the method used in this study. This sensitivity is much lower than any other previous attempts to detect acrylamide with biodegradable sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This review aims to investigate and evaluate the effect of ultrasound process parameters on the interfacial properties (surface hydrophobicity) of food proteins. The data obtained from English published papers accessed on Web of Science, PubMed and Wiley published from 2013 to 2021 allowed a table overview construction and a meta‐analysis. Study selection was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses method. A total of 40 relevant reports and 185 data used for meta‐analysis were considered. In general, the results revealed that the use of the ultrasound process increased the surface hydrophobicity of proteins. Processing time, power, amplitude and ultrasound frequency were significant in protein modification. The findings showed that the ultrasound process parameters should be considered to assess the effect on the modification and improvement of the interfacial properties of proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics around the globe have been a matter of grave concern due to the unavoidable habits of human mankind. Taking waste statistics in India for the year 2019–20 into account, the data of 60 major cities show that the generation of plastic waste stands tall at around 26,000 tonnes/day, of which only about 60 % is recycled. A majority of the non‐recycled plastic waste is petrochemical‐based packaging materials that are non‐biodegradable in nature. Vegetative/food waste is another global issue, evidenced by vastly populated countries such as China and India accounting for 91 and 69 tonnes of food wastage, respectively in 2019. The mitigation of plastic packaging issues has led to key scientific developments, one of which is biodegradable materials. However, there is a way that these two waste‐related issues can be fronted as the analogy of "taking two shots with the same arrow". The presence of various bio‐compounds such as proteins, cellulose, starch, lipids, and waxes, etc., in food and vegetative waste, creates an opportunity for the development of biodegradable packaging films. Although these flexible packaging films have limitations in terms of mechanical, permeation, and moisture absorption characteristics, they can be fine‐tuned in order to convert the biobased raw material into a realizable packaging product. These strategies could work in replacing petrochemical‐based non‐biodegradable packaging plastics which are used in enormous quantities for various household and commercial packaging applications to combat the ever‐increasing pollution in highly populated countries. This paper presents a systematic review based on modern scientific tools of the literature available with a major emphasis on the past decade and aims to serve as a standard resource for the development of biodegradable packaging films from food/vegetative waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoclonal antibodies and antibody fragments are increasingly important classes of biotherapeutics. However, these products are both challenging and expensive to manufacture. New process analytical technologies used to monitor these products during their manufacture are of significant interest. Deep UV Raman spectroscopy promises to provide the required specificity and accuracy, however instruments, have historically been large and complex. In this paper, a new deep UV Raman instrument is described using a solid‐state laser and a spatial heterodyne spectrometer. The instrument overcomes practical limitations of the technique and could readily be used for online measurement. A series of observations have been made of biopharmaceutical products, including immunoglobulin G and domain antibodies. Where high levels of both specificity and linearity when measuring samples of different concentration with a precision of better than 0.05 mg/mL has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A growing world population and ongoing climate change have created a need to find new sources of high‐quality food, especially protein, that are sustainable and environmentally friendly and help to reduce unsustainable livestock production. Therefore, it is necessary to look for sources of protein from new raw materials or to use existing materials that have not been used on a large scale. The highest protein intake characterises athletes; thus, the market for high‐protein products should be targeted for them. This paper outlines the main problems associated with protein production to date, mainly from animal sources and some known plant sources such as pulses, which can cause gastrointestinal problems in athletes. This review aimed to propose several new/alternative protein sources (Single Cell Protein, edible insects, algae, and potato protein) that may have the potential for use in food, including food for athletes while solving the described problems associated with existing protein sources. Insects have the best amino acid composition; microbial and algal proteins have great potential but require further development of technology for application to food products. Potato proteins are of high value and quality but also contain glycoalkaloids. However, using them brings additional economic and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there have been many studies and reports on various continuous protein crystallization processes. Due to the increasing demand for pharmaceutical proteins such as insulin and monoclonal antibodies, it has become essential to optimize the current industrial processes to meet these demands. There are various comparisons to be made between current batch crystallization processes and continuous processes for proteins. This review paper aims to review the recent advancements in continuous protein crystallization processes, such as slug flow crystallizers, oscillatory baffled crystallizers, and mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the detection of protein complexes, the completeness of a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network is crucial. Complete PPI networks, however, are not available for most species because experimentally identified PPIs are usually very limited. This paper proposes a deep learning based PPI predictor to construct a complete PPI network, from which protein complexes are detected using a spectral clustering method. For this purpose, the unknown PPIs are estimated by using a deep PPI predictor consisting of a semi‐supervised SVM classifier and a deep feature extractor of the convolutional neural network (CNN). Meanwhile, the similarities of gene ontology (GO) annotations contribute to protein interactions, and the differences of subcellular localizations contribute to negative interactions. Considering that, we pretrain the deep CNN feature extractor in a class of deep GO annotation and subcellular localization predictors using datasets from the type species, then transfer it to the PPI prediction model for fine‐tuning. In this way, we have a deep PPI detector enhanced with transfer learning of GO annotation and subcellular localization prediction. Experimental results on benchmark datasets show that the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bees foraging in agricultural habitats can be exposed to plant protection products. To limit the risk of adverse events, a robust risk assessment is needed, which requires reliable estimates for the expected exposure. The exposure pathways to developing solitary bees in particular are not well described and, in the currently proposed form, rely on limited information. To build a scaling model predicting the amount of protein developing solitary bees need based on adult body weight, we used published data on the volume of pollen solitary bees provide for their offspring. This model was tested against and ultimately updated with additional literature data on bee weight and protein content of emerged bees. We rescaled this model, based on the known pollen protein content of bee‐visited flowers, to predict the expected amount of pollen a generalist solitary bee would likely provide based on its adult body weight, and tested these predictions in the field. We found overall agreement between the models' predictions and the measured values in the field, but additional data are needed to confirm these initial results. Our study suggests that scaling models in the bee risk assessment could complement existing risk assessment approaches and facilitate the further development of accurate risk characterization for solitary bees; ultimately the models will help to protect them during their foraging activity in agricultural settings. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:308–313. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). KEY POINTS: This paper provides estimates for protein and pollen provisions for solitary bee larvae.The predictions are supported by Osmia bicornis pollen collection under field and semifield conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus sanguinis is an important cause of infective endocarditis. In strain SK36, the ABC-family manganese transporter, SsaACB, is essential for virulence. We have now identified a ZIP-family protein, TmpA, as a secondary manganese transporter. A tmpA mutant had no phenotype, but a ΔssaACB ΔtmpA mutant was more attenuated for serum growth and for virulence in a rabbit model than its ΔssaACB parent. The growth of both mutants was restored by supplemental manganese, but the ΔssaACB ΔtmpA mutant required twenty-fold more and accumulated less. Although ZIP-family proteins are known for zinc and iron transport, TmpA-mediated transport of either metal was minimal. While ssaACB appears ubiquitous in St. sanguinis, tmpA was present in a majority of strains and a mntH gene encoding an NRAMP-family transporter was identified in relatively few, including VMC66. As in SK36, deletion of ssaACB greatly diminished VMC66 endocarditis virulence and serum growth, and deletion of tmpA from this mutant diminished virulence further. Virulence was not significantly altered by deletion of mntH from either VMC66 or its ΔssaACB mutant. This and the accompanying paper together suggest that SsaACB is of primary importance for endocarditis virulence while secondary transporters TmpA and MntH contribute to growth under differing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replacement of animal‐derived capsules with those of plant origin, which are safe and stable, is the development tendency at present. However, properties of pure plant materials, such as high hydrophobicity, low solubility, and poor film‐forming ability, restrict the popularization and application of plant capsules. In the present study, a novel blend of zein and Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TPS) was developed by a facile one‐step shear method. Properties of the blend were investigated to show its potential in being used as raw materials for capsule shells. According to viscosity, rheological behaviors, and microscopic morphology of the blends, TPS molecules enhance both the stability and gelling functions of the mixture by wrapping around the zein aggregations. It was revealed that the viscosity of the zein/TPS system increases with the zein content, while the elasticity of it increases with the TPS content. The films obtained from the blends were characterized by mechanical properties and SEM, showing a zein/TPS mass ratio of 7:3 leads to the most appropriate TS and highest EAB among all films tested. The FTIR and XRD analysis suggested the physical mixing of zein and TPS in the blend films. As shown by the DSC curves, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the blend film gradually dropped with the addition of TPS, which was a consequence of the weakening of intermolecular interactions. The paper introduced the whole process, from raw material preparation to ZT capsule production, further verifying the application potentials of such a novel plant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MfpA protein is encoded by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and stands for Mycobacterium fluoroquinolone resistance protein A. This protein provides Mtb intrinsic resistant property from fluoroquinolone antibiotics by inhibiting DNA gyrase that are known to be the primary target of fluoroquinolone drugs. DNA gyrases are important for bacterial chromosomal genesis as they are majorly involved in DNA replication, transcription, and bacterial stress response to several external stimulus. Therefore, in Mtb, it forms an essential integrity and also a desirable target for drug development approaches. This paper implies on determining the essential facts about mfpA including its interaction study, epitope prediction, modeling, and validation, and most importantly it deals with the mutation. Mutational analysis was carried out on the basis of sequential information and there were several mutations that cause a large decrease in the stability of the protein. Total 24 mutations were shortlisted based on ΔΔG value: W154G, F54G, L84G, F9G, W4G, F74G, F64G, F49G, L104G, L94G, L124G, F29G, L39G, L59G, W60G, L114G, , W154S, L19G, L144G, L129G, F34G, W154D, W154A, and W4S. Separate mutation on DXXG GTPase motif was examined to check any effect on protein stability and we found that D33A, D98A, D128A, G36A, G101A, G131A, D33G, D98G, D128G, G36W, G101W, G131W, D33K, D98K, and D128K decrease protein stability the most. Further stress‐dependent analysis on selected residues showed that lower temperature and pH destabilize the protein. The reason behind this increase in protein destability was drastic decrease and disruption of interatomic interactions in mutant MfpA. These analysis provides essential information about the residues that are important for MfpA stability and also enlightens protein vulnerability after mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of peroxyl radical oxidation on the physicochemical and functional properties of walnut protein were investigated. Walnut protein isolate (WPI) containing 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was oxidatively stressed under aerobic conditions in peroxyl radical‐generating media. Incubation of walnut protein with increasing concentration of AAPH resulted in gradual carbonyl generation and free sulfhydryl group degradation. The results of surface hydrophobicity implied that oxidation leads to protein aggregation thus decreasing protein solubility in an AAPH concentration‐dependent manner (P < 0.05). Emulsifying properties exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05) at AAPH concentrations up to 0.2 mM and higher AAPH concentrations reduced the emulsifying capacity of WPI. These results indicate that appropriate oxidation is helpful to improve the emulsifying properties of protein, and with an increase of oxidation degree, emulsifying functional will damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to offer an alternative or complementary analytical tool to the time‐consuming and expensive methods commonly used for the recognition of animal species according to their hair. The paper introduces a simple and fast way for species differentiation of animal hairs called in‐sample digestion. A total of 10 European animal species, including cat, cow, common degu, dog, fallow deer, goat, horse, sika deer, rabbit, roe deer, and 17 different breeds of dogs were examined using specific tryptic cleavage directly in hair followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight. Principal component analysis was used for the subsequent mass spectrometric data evaluation. This novel approach demonstrates the ability to distinguish among individual animal species, which is supported by finding characteristic m/z values obtained by the mass spectrometry for each animal species. The approach was successfully tested on two "blind" samples. On the other hand, the attempt to distinguish among hairs of different dog breeds has not been successful due to the very similar protein composition and their amino acid sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the estimation of coordinates of atoms in proteins from coarse‐grained geometry by simple analytical formulas (ESCASA), for use in nuclear‐magnetic‐resonance (NMR) data‐assisted coarse‐grained simulations of proteins is proposed. In this paper, the formulas for the backbone Hα and amide (HN) protons, and the side‐chain Hβ protons, given the Cα‐trace, have been derived and parameterized, by using the interproton distances calculated from a set of 140 high‐resolution non‐homologous protein structures. The mean standard deviation over all types of proton pairs in the set was 0.44 Å after fitting. Validation against a set of 41 proteins with NMR‐determined structures, which were not considered in parameterization, resulted in average standard deviation from average proton–proton distances of the NMR‐determined structures of 0.25 Å, compared to 0.21 Å obtained with the PULCHRA all‐atom‐chain reconstruction algorithm and to the 0.12 Å standard deviation of the average‐structure proton–proton distance of NMR‐determined ensembles. The formulas provide analytical forces and can, therefore, be used in coarse‐grained molecular dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals an uncovered mechanism for the regulation of polyamine homeostasis through protein arginyl citrullination of antizyme (AZ), a natural inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). ODC is critical for the cellular production of polyamines. AZ binds to ODC dimers and promotes the degradation of ODC via the 26S proteasome. This study demonstrates the protein citrullination of AZ catalyzed by peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PAD4) both in vitro and in cells. Upon PAD4 activation, the AZ protein was citrullinated and accumulated, leading to higher levels of ODC proteins in the cell. In the PAD4‐overexpressing and activating cells, the levels of ODC enzyme activity and the product putrescine increased with the level of citrullinated AZ proteins and PAD4 activity. Suppressing cellular PAD4 activity reduces the cellular levels of ODC and downregulates cellular polyamines. Furthermore, citrullination of AZ in the C‐terminus attenuates AZ function in the inhibition, binding, and degradation of ODC. This paper provides evidence to illustrate that PAD4‐mediated AZ citrullination upregulates cellular ODC and polyamines by retarding ODC degradation, thus interfering with the homeostasis of cellular polyamines, which may be an important pathway regulating AZ functions that is relevant to cancer biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This proteolytic nanomachine, as Dieter liked to call the proteasome, turned out to be the long-sought but initially elusive protease that plays a central role in regulated and selective protein degradation in all eukaryotes. Dieter Wolf (1941-2023): a life dedicated to understanding protein quality control and the ubiquitin-proteasome system J Biol Chem 259: 13344 - 13348 3 Heinemeyer W, Kleinschmidt JA, Saidowsky J, Escher C, Wolf DH (1991) Proteinase yscE, the yeast proteasome/multicatalytic-multifunctional proteinase: mutants unravel its function in stress induced proteolysis and uncover its necessity for cell survival. [Extracted from the article]

LINKED CONTENT: This article is linked to Hey et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17917 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on challenges related to protein provision for the growing global population, which include improving the environmental impact of traditional protein supply chains; and considering the environmental impact with the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This study investigated the possibility of using amaranth protein isolate (API) as a plant‐based substitute for egg yolk (EY) in the preparation of low‐fat mayonnaise (LFM). The alkali extraction/acidic precipitation method was used to isolate amaranth protein; its functional properties were then studied. The results showed that besides its great water and oil absorption capacities, API had better emulsifying capacity and significantly higher (p <.05) emulsion stability at pH 2.0 than alkali pH values. Five mayonnaise samples with different API/EY combination ratios (%) (i.e., 0/0.75, 0.25/0.5, 0.375/0.375, 0.5/0.25, and 0.75/0) were prepared. The color, emulsion stability (ES), freeze–thaw stability (FTS), droplet size, structure, rheology, and sensory properties of samples were examined. API replacement showed no adverse effects on the L* value, ES, and sensory attributes (p >.05). Low API concentrations (0.25% and 0.375%) significantly (p <.05) increased the droplet size and decreased the FTS of LFM emulsion. High API concentrations (0.5% and 0.75%) had no significant effect (p >.05) on droplet size and formed emulsions with more tightly packed oil droplets. The Cross model was chosen best to describe the flow behavior of LFM samples (R2 = 0.99). The sample with 0.75% API had significantly (p <.05) the highest values of ηo (zero‐shear viscosity) and λ (relaxation time), indicating greater interaction between the emulsion particles. All samples showed a weak gel structure (G' > G"). In conclusion, API can be considered an appropriate substitute for EY in LFM production, which can benefit human health and offer a new strategy for preparing vegan products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing time‐sustained drug delivery systems is a main goal in innovative medicines. Inspired by the architecture of secretory granules from the mammalian endocrine system it has generated non‐toxic microscale amyloid materials through the coordination between divalent metals and poly‐histidine stretches. Like their natural counterparts that keep the functionalities of the assembled protein, those synthetic structures release biologically active proteins during a slow self‐disintegration process occurring in vitro and upon in vivo administration. Being these granules formed by a single pure protein species and therefore, chemically homogenous, they act as highly promising time‐sustained drug delivery systems. Despite their enormous clinical potential, the nature of the clustering process and the quality of the released protein have been so far neglected issues. By using diverse polypeptide species and their protein‐only oligomeric nanoscale versions as convenient models, a conformational rearrangement and a stabilization of the building blocks during their transit through the secretory granules, being the released material structurally distinguishable from the original source is proved here. This fact indicates a dynamic nature of secretory amyloids that act as conformational arrangers rather than as plain, inert protein‐recruiting/protein‐releasing granular depots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes have gained their unique efficiency and catalytic activity through billions of years of evolution, perfecting their active site to a desired reaction. Inspired by nature, a novel enzyme‐mimicking platform is designed based on stable protein 1 (SP1) to create a nano‐compartment that mimics peroxidase activity. The biohybrid reveals enhanced activity over the hemin cofactor alone and improved stability in organic solvents in comparison to native peroxidase. Furthermore, the utilization of the obtained biohybrid in an optical glucose biosensing platform is shown. The biohybrid crystallographic structure is solved, indicating that the SP1 structure is not affected by the hemin coordination. This work opens the path for developing new cofactor binding centers in engineered protein scaffolds for various artificial catalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effect of an expansin‐like cerato‐platanin (CP) protein as a pre‐treatment for the enzymatic hydrolysis of bacterial cellulose (BC) is investigated. To this scope, cellulases from Trichoderma reesei are used as hydrolyzing agent using different enzyme/BC formulations. Turbidity experiments reveal that for the higher enzyme concentrations (formulations 0.5:1 and 1:1) the enzymatic hydrolysis of BC show similar hydrolysis kinetics and is not dependent of the CP. However, at higher BC concentrations (formulations 0.25:1 and 0.33:1), the hydrolysis of BC is hindered by the non‐catalytic protein, as confirmed by the lower content of cellobiose and glucose in the presence of CP. Light scattering experiments show that the addition of CP led to an increase of the BC particle size from (445–630 nm) to (890–1.26 μm) for the formulation 1:1, which is also corroborated by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses. These results suggest that CP did not positively affect the hydrolysis of BC, in contrast to what was previously observed for plant‐derived cellulose. This work for the first time investigates the anomalous behavior of cerato platanin family members with regard to its loosening activity on the structure of bacterial cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence microscopy data describe protein localization patterns at single-cell resolution and have the potential to reveal whole-proteome functional information with remarkable precision. Yet, extracting biologically meaningful representations from cell micrographs remains a major challenge. Existing approaches often fail to learn robust and noise-invariant features or rely on supervised labels for accurate annotations. We developed PIFiA (Protein Image-based Functional Annotation), a self-supervised approach for protein functional annotation from single-cell imaging data. We imaged the global yeast ORF-GFP collection and applied PIFiA to generate protein feature profiles from single-cell images of fluorescently tagged proteins. We show that PIFiA outperforms existing approaches for molecular representation learning and describe a range of downstream analysis tasks to explore the information content of the feature profiles. Specifically, we cluster extracted features into a hierarchy of functional organization, study cell population heterogeneity, and develop techniques to distinguish multi-localizing proteins and identify functional modules. Finally, we confirm new PIFiA predictions using a colocalization assay, suggesting previously unappreciated biological roles for several proteins. Paired with a fully interactive website (https://thecellvision.org/pifia/), PIFiA is a resource for the quantitative analysis of protein organization within the cell. Synopsis: PIFiA is a self-supervised deep-learning approach for protein functional annotation from single-cell images. It generates feature profiles from images of the yeast ORF-GFP collection that can be used in downstream analyses. PIFiA features identify new functional groups of proteins within organelles and proteins with heterogeneous localizations. PIFiA features successfully predict protein–protein interactions and members of protein complexes. PIFiA outperforms previous methods on four different standards of protein function. Images and analysis are available at thecellvision.org/pifia. PIFiA is a self-supervised deep-learning approach for protein functional annotation from single-cell images. It generates feature profiles from images of the yeast ORF-GFP collection that can be used in downstream analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by its distinct dependence on iron and the peroxidation of lipids within cellular membranes. Ferroptosis plays a crucial role in physiological and pathological situations and has attracted the attention of numerous scientists. Ferroptosis suppressive protein 1 (FSP1) is one of the main regulators that negatively regulates ferroptosis through the GPX4‐independent FSP1–CoQ10–NAD(P)H axis and is a potential therapeutic target for ferroptosis‐related diseases. However, the crystal structure of FSP1 has not been resolved, which hinders the development of therapeutic strategies targeting FSP1. To unravel this puzzle, we purified the human FSP1 (hFSP1) protein using the baculovirus eukaryotic cell expression system and solved its crystal structure at a resolution of 1.75 Å. Furthermore, we evaluated the oxidoreductase activity of hFSP1 with NADH as the substrate and identified E156 as the key amino acid in maintaining hFSP1 activity. Interestingly, our results indicated that hFSP1 exists and functions in a monomeric state. Mutagenesis analysis revealed the critical role of the C‐terminal domain in the binding of substrate. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of the functional mechanism of FSP1 and provide a precise model for further drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initiation of infection of host tissues by Staphylococcus aureus requires a family of staphylococcal adhesive proteins containing serine–aspartate repeat (SDR) domains, such as ClfA. The O‐linked glycosylation of the long‐chain SDR domain mediated by SdgB and SdgA is a key virulence factor that protects the adhesive SDR proteins against host proteolytic attack in order to promote successful tissue colonization, and has also been implicated in staphylococcal agglutination, which leads to sepsis and an immunodominant epitope for a strong antibody response. Despite the biological significance of these two glycosyltransferases involved in pathogenicity and avoidance of the host innate immune response, their structures and the molecular basis of their activity have not been investigated. This study reports the crystal structures of SdgB and SdgA from S. aureus as well as multiple structures of SdgB in complex with its substrates (for example UDP, N‐acetylglucosamine or SDR peptides), products (glycosylated SDR peptides) or phosphate ions. Together with biophysical and biochemical analyses, this structural work uncovered the novel mechanism by which SdgB and SdgA carry out the glycosyl‐transfer process to the long SDR region in SDR proteins. SdgB undergoes dynamic changes in its structure such as a transition from an open to a closed conformation upon ligand binding and takes diverse forms, both as a homodimer and as a heterodimer with SdgA. Overall, these findings not only elucidate the putative role of the three domains of SdgB in recognizing donor and acceptor substrates, but also provide new mechanistic insights into glycosylation of the SDR domain, which can serve as a starting point for the development of antibacterial drugs against staphylococcal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and hydrophobic biobased films were obtained using zein esterified with methanol and para‐toluene (p‐toluene) sulfonic acid, cutin from tomato peels and ethanol. Esterification was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). Non‐modified zein films were brittle and hydrophilic. ATR‐FTIR demonstrated that zein esterification increased zein hydrophobicity. Without cutin, esterified zein films were hydrophobic but brittle. Addition of cutin yielded films that were flexible and hydrophobic, as demonstrated by contact angle measurements. Principal component analysis (PCA) of ATR‐FTIR data showed that intensities at 3195 cm−1 and 3490 cm−1 were correlated to the relative hydrophobicity of zein films. PCA also showed that films of esterified zein and cutin were more hydrophobic than their counterparts (non‐modified zein without cutin). Optical and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that esterified zein was compatible with cutin and yielded cohesive films, which did not fracture upon bending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteopedia (proteopedia.org) is an open resource to explore the structure–function relationship of proteins and other biomolecules. This guide provides practical advice on how to incorporate Proteopedia into teaching the structure and function of proteins and other biomolecules. For 11 activities, we discuss desired outcomes, setting expectations, preparing students for the tasks, using resources within Proteopedia, and evaluating student work. We point out features of Proteopedia that make it especially suitable for teaching and give examples of how to avoid common pitfalls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcer, is a chronic complication afflicting individuals with diabetes, continue to increase worldwide, immensely burdening society. Programmed cell death, which includes apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot ulcer. This review is based on an exhaustive examination of the literature on 'programmed cell death' and 'diabetic foot ulcers' via PubMed. The findings revealed that natural bioactive compounds, noncoding RNAs and certain proteins play crucial roles in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers through various forms of programmed cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis and pyroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient protein turnover is essential for cellular homeostasis and organ function. Loss of proteostasis is a hallmark of aging culminating in severe dysfunction of protein turnover. To investigate protein turnover dynamics as a function of age, we performed continuous in vivo metabolic stable isotope labeling in mice along the aging continuum. First, we discovered that the brain proteome uniquely undergoes dynamic turnover fluctuations during aging compared to heart and liver tissue. Second, trends in protein turnover in the brain proteome during aging showed sex-specific differences that were tightly tied to cellular compartments. Next, parallel analyses of the insoluble proteome revealed that several cellular compartments experience hampered turnover, in part due to misfolding. Finally, we found that age-associated fluctuations in proteasome activity were associated with the turnover of core proteolytic subunits, which was recapitulated by pharmacological suppression of proteasome activity. Taken together, our study provides a proteome-wide atlas of protein turnover across the aging continuum and reveals a link between the turnover of individual proteasome subunits and the age-associated decline in proteasome activity. Synopsis: Continuous pulse-step metabolic labeling with quantitative proteomics in mice reveals sex-specific differences in protein turnover linked to subcellular compartments. Age-related changes in protein turnover result in part from altered proteasome activity and subunit turnover. Brain protein turnover trends during aging display sex-specific differences tied to subcellular compartments. Misfolded proteins contribute to differential turnover trends in the brain. Reduced proteasome activity is associated with slowed turnover of proteasome subunits during aging. Continuous pulse-step metabolic labeling with quantitative proteomics in mice reveals sex-specific differences in protein turnover linked to subcellular compartments. Age-related changes in protein turnover result in part from altered proteasome activity and subunit turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source and amount of protein intake may influence cardiovascular and inflammatory risk, especially in elders who are often more vulnerable. However, findings on elders have been contradictory. Therefore, we examined the association between dietary total, plant, and animal protein intake in relation to cardiovascular outcomes and inflammatory factors in elderly men. The present cross‐sectional study included 357 elderly men. A validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake. All biochemical factors including triglycerides (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), interleukin 6 (IL6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured. Waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP) were also assessed. A significant inverse association was found between animal protein intake and systolic blood pressure (SBP; OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.91; ptrend =.014). There were significant inverse associations between plant protein intake and WC (OR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.68; ptrend <.001), FBS (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.89; ptrend =.018) and Hs‐CRP (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.70; ptrend =.002). Moreover, significant inverse associations were also found between total protein intake and SBP (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.86; ptrend =.010) and total protein and Hs‐CRP (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.88; ptrend =.015). In elderly men, a high dietary intake of plant protein was associated with lower odds of having high WC, FBS, and Hs‐CRP. In addition, high dietary intake of animal protein was associated with higher odds of having a high SBP level, which was explained by higher intake of dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assembly line biosynthesis of the powerful anticancer‐antiviral didemnin cyclic peptides is proposed to follow a prodrug release mechanism in Tristella bacteria. This strategy commences with the formation of N‐terminal prodrug scaffolds and culminates in their cleavage during the cellular export of the mature products. In this study, a comprehensive exploration of the genetic and biochemical aspects of the enzymes responsible for both the assembly and cleavage of the acylated peptide prodrug scaffolds is provided. This process involves the assembly of N‐acyl‐polyglutamine moieties orchestrated by the nonribosomal peptide synthetase DidA and the cleavage of these components at the post‐assembly stage by DidK, a transmembrane CAAX hydrolase homolog. The findings not only shed light on the complex prodrug mechanism that underlies the synthesis and secretion of didemnin compounds but also offer novel insights into the expanded role of CAAX hydrolases in microbes. Furthermore, this knowledge can be leveraged for the strategic design of genome mining approaches aimed at discovering new bioactive natural products that employ similar prodrug biochemical strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being low in crude protein, on a fresh weight basis, given their overall contribution to the North American diet, potatoes contribute approximately 2%–4% of the population's protein intake. However, the quality of the protein remains ill‐defined. To that end, Russet potatoes were secured and subjected to various cooking conditions (raw [control], boiled, baked, microwaved, and fried [3, 6, and 9 min]) to determine the impact of cooking method on protein quality, as determined by amino acid score (AAS) and indices of in vivo true fecal protein digestibility (TFPD%; rodent bioassay) and in vitro protein digestibility (pH‐drop, pH‐Stat, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion both static and dynamic). The AAS of raw Russet potatoes was 0.67 ± 0.01, with histidine being the limiting AA. Frying led to a significant reduction in the AAS, however, other cooking methods yielded similar results to the raw control. The TFPD% of raw potato was low (40.5% ± 3.9%) and was significantly enhanced to over 80% with all cooking methods. Similar patterns were observed with all in vitro measures, however, all methods yielded higher values for the raw control samples. Final protein digestibility‐corrected AAS (PDCAAS; product of AAS and TFPD%) values ranged from 0.27 (raw) to a high of 0.57 (boiled), with cooked values being comparable to other plant‐based protein sources, including grains, and some nuts and pulses. In vitro PDCAAS values followed similar trends. This study defined the protein quality of cooked Russet potatoes and provides data for use in defining the quality of total protein consumed in the North American diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]