Protein and Peptide Letters最新文献

{"title":"The Residual Structure of Unfolded Proteins was Elucidated from the Standard Deviation of NMR Intensity Differences.","authors":"Fuko Mizuno,&nbsp;Saeko Aoki,&nbsp;Akimasa Matsugami,&nbsp;Fumiaki Hayashi,&nbsp;Chiaki Nishimura","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666230104140830","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666230104140830","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sensitive methods are necessary to identify the residual structure in an unfolded protein, which may be similar to the functionally native structure. Signal intensity in NMR experiments is useful for analyzing the line width for a dynamic structure; however, another contribution is contained.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Here, the signal-intensity difference along the sequence was used for probability to calculate the standard deviation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The relative values of the standard deviations were 0.57, 0.57, and 0.66 for alpha-synuclein wild-type, A53T, and A30P, respectively. This revealed that the flexible region was mainly in the Cterminal region of alpha-synuclein at higher temperatures as observed by the amide-proton exchange studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In particular, the flexible structure was induced by the A30P mutation.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 2","pages":"103-107"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/92/68/PPL-30-103.PMC10230605.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9558296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protease Inhibitors (PIs): Candidate Molecules for Crop Protection Formulations against Necrotrophs.","authors":"R Aswati Nair,&nbsp;Padmesh Pillai,&nbsp;Sharmila Raj","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666221124123905","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666221124123905","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Necrotrophic phytopathogens pose a serious challenge to the productivity of several crops causing seedling damage, pre- and post-emergence damping-off and root rot thus reducing plant growth and yield. They are known to gain nutrition by secreting a diverse array of hydrolytic enzymes and thereby causing extensive host plant tissue maceration. Amongst the diverse hydrolases, proteases play a pivotal role in the necrotrophic mode of nutrition and thereby in determining pathogenic virulence. Host plants often counteract the necrotrophic proteolysis events by proteins (peptides), particularly through protease inhibitors (PIs). PIs play an important role in host innate immunity function by functioning as anti-metabolic proteins inhibiting the activity of phytopathogenic secretory proteases. Their abundance in plant storage organs explains their anti-nutritional interaction which stalls pathogenic invasion. PIs, therefore, constitute potential candidates that can be deployed as effective antimicrobials in agriculture, particularly against necrotrophic soil-borne pathogens. The present review traces the progress made in the identification of PIs from plants, and their inhibitory potential against necrotrophic phytopathogens and explores prospects of utilizing these molecules as effective anti-necrotrophic formulations for disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 1","pages":"13-24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9078418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cold-Induced RNA-Binding Protein and RNA-Binding Motif Protein 3: Two RNA Molecular Chaperones Closely Related to Reproductive Development and Reproductive System Diseases.","authors":"Jiahao Liu,&nbsp;Qinqin Wei,&nbsp;Yingji Jin,&nbsp;Yuji Jin,&nbsp;Yong Jiang","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666221124122507","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666221124122507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cold-induced RNA-binding protein (CIRP) and RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) have recently been reported to be involved in cold stress in mammals. These proteins are expressed at low levels in various normal cells, tissues, and organs but can be upregulated upon stimulation by multiple stressors. Studies have shown that CIRP and RBM3 are multifunctional RNA molecular chaperones with different biological functions in various physiological and pathophysiological processes, such as reproductive development, the inflammatory response, the immune response, nerve injury regulation, and tumorigenesis. This paper reviews recent studies on the structure, localization and correlation of CIRP and RBM3 with reproductive development and reproductive system diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 1","pages":"2-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9078419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"STAM-binding Protein-like 1 Promotes Growth and Migration of Colorectal Cancer by NF-κB Pathway.","authors":"Xinghua Zhou, Yue Cheng, Jian Kang, Gang Mao","doi":"10.2174/0109298665272785231103104118","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0109298665272785231103104118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>STAM-binding protein-like 1 (STAMBPL1) functions as a deubiquitinase to cleave Lys63 ubiquitin linkage, and is associated with cancer dissemination and progression. The role of STAMBPL1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>STAMBPL1 expression was determined by western blot and qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was detected by colony formation and MTT assays, and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The metastasis was evaluated by transwell and wound healing assays. An animal xenograft experiment was used to investigate the effect of STAMBPL1 on tumor growth.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The expression of STAMBPL1 was elevated in CRC cells. Knockdown of STAMBPL1 reduced cell viability of CRC and suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration. Apoptosis of CRC was induced by silence of STAMBPL1. Tumor growth of CRC was also suppressed by the silence of STAMBPL1. Knockdown of STAMBPL1 increased IκB and decreased phosphorylation of IκB to reduce p65 phosphorylation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Knockdown of STAMBPL1 inhibited cell growth and metastasis of CRC through inactivation of the NF-κB pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":" ","pages":"1058-1066"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138441163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water-soluble <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Seed Lectin Exhibits Monoaminergic Pathway-linked Anti-depressive-like Effects in Mice.","authors":"Leydianne Leite de Siqueira Patriota, Barbara Raíssa Ferreira de Lima, Amanda de Oliveira Marinho, Jainaldo Alves da Costa, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho, Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo, Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva, Michelly Cristiny Pereira, Thiago Henrique Napoleão, Michelle Melgarejo da Rosa","doi":"10.2174/0109298665270366231031052629","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0109298665270366231031052629","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study investigated the anti-depressive-like (anti-immobility) effect of a lectin from Moringa oleifera seeds (WSMoL) in mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To evaluate an acute effect, the animals were treated with WSMoL (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before the tail suspension test (TST). To investigate the involvement of monoaminergic and nitrergic signaling, the mice were pre-treated with selective antagonists. The role of the WSMoL carbohydrate-recognizing domain (CRD) was verified using previous blockage with casein (0.5 mg/mL). The subacute anti-immobility effect was also evaluated by administering WSMoL (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg, i.p.) once a day for 7 d. Finally, an open field test (OFT) was performed to identify possible interferences of WSMoL on animal locomotory behavior.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>WSMoL reduced the immobility time of mice in the TST at all doses, and combined treatment with fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and WSMoL (1 mg/kg) was also effective. The CRD appeared to be involved in the anti-immobility effect since the solution of WSMoL (4 mg/kg) pre-incubated with casein showed no activity. The lectin effect was prevented by the pre-treatment of mice with ketanserin, yohimbine, and SCH 23390, thereby demonstrating the involvement of monoaminergic pathways. In contrast, pre-treatment with L-NAME, aminoguanidine, and L-arginine did not interfere with lectin action. WSMoL exhibited a subacute effect in the TST, thereby reducing immobility time and increasing agitation time even on the seventh day. OFT data revealed that the anti-immobility effect was not caused by interference with locomotor behavior.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>WSMoL elicits an anti-depressant-like effect that is dependent on monoaminergic signaling.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":" ","pages":"1048-1057"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138452288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MicroRNA3650 Promotes Gastric Cancer Proliferation and Migration through the PTEN/PI3K-AKT-mTOR and Hippo Pathways.","authors":"Xiansheng Yang, Juncai Wen, Qingjun He, Shuoshan Wang, Qiang Ruan, Quanxing Liao, Jinfu He, Shuxian Fang, Chang Liu, Hongsheng Tang","doi":"10.2174/0109298665265642231020043809","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0109298665265642231020043809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with seriously poor outcomes. Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an omnifarious regulatory effect in GC. However, the role of miR-3650 in the progression of GC is not well known.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, miR-3650 expression and its clinical significance were determined using clinical specimens. The biological functions of miR-3650 were determined in gastric cancer cell lines through CCK-8, cell scratch, and transwell experiments. Bioinformatics predictions, combined with Western blot experiments, were employed to explore its downstream molecular targets.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We observed that miR-3650 was overexpressed in GC specimens and most cell lines, i.e., 77.8% (MKN28, SNU1, AGS, MKN45, N87, BGC823 and SGC7901). The overexpression correlated with advanced T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, and TNM-stage. Furthermore, miR-3650 promoted the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, and its overexpression promoted the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and inhibited the PTEN and hippo pathways. The potassium ion signaling pathway was also involved in the biological process of miR-3650 promoting cancer.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Therefore, we concluded that miR-3650/PTEN/PI3K-AKT-mTOR and miR-3650/hippo pathways are vital in the progression of GC and serve as novel targets for GC therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":" ","pages":"966-973"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138462239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temperature-Dependent Affinity Changes in Substrate Binding Affect the Cleavage Activity of BthC2c1.","authors":"Dan Wu,&nbsp;Jieting Liu,&nbsp;Yong Liu,&nbsp;Yufei Qiu,&nbsp;Zhiqin Cao,&nbsp;Yu Pan,&nbsp;Jiayi Shi,&nbsp;Xiaohuan Yuan","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666230125100320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666230125100320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune mechanism for bacteria and archaea to resist foreign invasion. Currently, Cas9 and Cpf1 have been widely studied and applied in gene editing. C2c1 is a newly discovered CRISPR-Cas system endonuclease. It has broad application prospects due to its small molecular weight and high substrate recognition specificity.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Bacillus thermoamylovorans C2c1(BthC2c1) was expressed in E. coli C43 (DE3) competent cells, purified, and the BthC2c1-sgRNA-dsDNA complex was assembled. The effect of temperature on the cleavage ability of the BthC2c1 system was investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cDNA of BthC2c1 was cloned into the vector pGEX-6P-1. BthC2c1 was expressed in E. coli C43(DE3) cells and purified using a GST affinity column and FPLC. The sgRNAs were transcribed and purified in vitro, and the complexes were assembled by gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme cleavage activity of BthC2c1 at different temperatures was investigated using an in vitro cleavage assay. Microscale Thermophoresis detected the affinity of the BthC2c1-sgRNA complexes to substrate DNA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BthC2c1 proteins were prokaryotically expressed and purified. The complex of BthC2c1 with sgRNA and dsDNA was assembled. In vitro cleavage assay results showed that BthC2c1 cleaved the target DNA at temperatures ranging from 37°C to 67°C. The cleavage ability of BthC2c1 at 42^oC was stronger than that at 37^oC. The results of affinity detection showed that the affinity between the BthC2c1-sgRNA complex and ds36/36 at 42^oC was stronger than that at 37^oC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this study, BthC2c1 was expressed, purified, and assembled into a complex with sgRNA and dsDNA. BthC2c1 cleaved DNA within the temperature range of 37^oC to 67^oC. The affinity of BthC2c1-sgRNA to DNA at 42°C was significantly enhanced than that at 37°C. It may be related to its stringent substrate recognition pattern, which differs from Cas9 and Cpf1. The temperature-dependent affinity changes of substrate binding may be part of the reason for the stronger cleavage activity of BthC2c1 at 42^oC. This study may provide an experimental basis for optimizing and modifying the C2c1 gene editing system.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 3","pages":"233-241"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10249141/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9601036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroprotective Effect of Dexmedetomidine Pretreatment on Sevoflurane- Initiated Neurotoxicity <i>Via</i> the Mir-204-5p/SOX4 Axis.","authors":"Run Wang,&nbsp;Pengfei Liu,&nbsp;Fan Li,&nbsp;Hui Qiao","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666230530164913","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666230530164913","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sevoflurane (Sev) is a type of volatile anesthetic commonly used in clinic practices and can initiate long-term neurotoxicity, while dexmedetomidine (Dex) possesses a neuroprotective function in multiple neurological disorders.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This work expounded on the function of Dex pretreatment in Sev-initiated neurotoxicity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>At first, human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH cells) were treated with different concentrations of Sev or Dex, followed by the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay to decide the appropriate concentrations of Sev or Dex. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) productions, and apoptotic rate of SK-N-SH cells were examined by the CCK-8 assay, LDH cytotoxicity kit, and flow cytometry assay in sequence. Further, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and proinflammatory cytokine contents were examined by the ROS assay kit and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The expression patterns of microRNA (miR)-204-5p and SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) in SK-N-SH cells were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. The binding relationship between miR-204-5p and SOX4 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase assay. After transfection of miR-204-5p mimics or SOX4 siRNA, the role of the miR-204-5p/SOX4 axis in Sev-initiated neurotoxicity was detected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sev treatment reduced SK-N-SH cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and Dex pretreatment diminished Sev-initiated neurotoxicity. Mechanically, Dex pretreatment limited Sevinduced upregulation of miR-204-5p and further increased SOX4 expression levels. miR-204-5p upregulation or SOX4 knockdown averted the neuroprotection function of Dex pretreatment in Sevinitiated neurotoxicity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Dex pretreatment decreased miR-204-5p expression levels and upregulated SOX4 expression levels, palliating Sev-initiated neurotoxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 7","pages":"608-618"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10102377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Glutathionylation on Guanylyltransferase Activity of NS5 N-terminal Capping Domain from Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, and Zika Viruses.","authors":"Chonticha Saisawang,&nbsp;Onrapak Reamtong,&nbsp;Isara Nachampa,&nbsp;Patchareebhorn Petcharat,&nbsp;Suphansa Priewkhiew,&nbsp;Somsri Sakdee,&nbsp;Jantana Wongsantichon,&nbsp;Albert J Ketterman","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666230418101606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666230418101606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Glutathionylation is a protein post-translational modification triggered by oxidative stress. The susceptible proteins are modified by the addition of glutathione to specific cysteine residues. Virus infection also induces oxidative stress in the cell, which affects cellular homeostasis. It is not just the cellular proteins but the viral proteins that can also be modified by glutathionylation events, thereby impacting the function of the viral proteins.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study was conducted to identify the effects of modification by glutathionylation on the guanylyltransferase activity of NS5 and identify the cysteine residues modified for the three flavivirus NS5 proteins.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The capping domain of NS5 proteins from 3 flaviviruses was cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins. A gel-based assay for guanylyltransferase activity was performed using a GTP analog labeled with the fluorescent dye Cy5 as substrate. The protein modification by glutathionylation was induced by GSSG and evaluated by western blot. The reactive cysteine residues were identified by mass spectrometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It was found that the three flavivirus proteins behaved in a similar fashion with increasing glutathionylation yielding decreased guanylyltransferase activity. The three proteins also possessed conserved cysteines and they appeared to be modified for all three proteins.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The glutathionylation appeared to induce conformational changes that affect enzyme activity. The conformational changes might also create binding sites for host cell protein interactions at later stages of viral propagation with the glutathionylation event, thereby serving as a switch for function change.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 5","pages":"439-447"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9816422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of Adjuvant Effects of Montanide ISA-720 and Heat Shock Protein 27 in Increasing Immunostimulatory Properties of HIV-1 Nef-Vif Fusion Protein Construct.","authors":"Niloofar Khairkhah,&nbsp;Fatemeh Shahhosseini,&nbsp;Elnaz Agi,&nbsp;Alireza Milani,&nbsp;Azam Bolhassani","doi":"10.2174/0929866530666230403093538","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866530666230403093538","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Effective T-cell-mediated immunity has emerged as an essential component of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) vaccination. Thus, inducing an immune response against HIV proteins such as Nef and Vif, two major accessory proteins with critical roles in HIV pathogenesis and immune evasion, may lead to an effective approach.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Our goal is to evaluate and compare Montanide ISA-720 and heat shock protein 27 in increasing immunostimulatory properties of HIV-1 Nef-Vif fusion protein as a vaccine candidate.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, the <i>nef-vif</i> fusion gene with and without the <i>heat shock protein 27 (hsp27)</i> gene was cloned in the prokaryotic pET24a (+) vector. Then, the recombinant Nef-Vif and Hsp27-Nef- Vif proteins were generated in the E. coli system. Finally, their immunostimulatory properties were evaluated in mice. Indeed, the potency of Hsp27 as an endogenous natural adjuvant was investigated to enhance HIV-1 Nef-Vif antigen-specific immunity compared to Montanide ISA-720 as a commercial adjuvant in protein-based immunization strategy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results approved the role of Hsp27 as an effective adjuvant in the stimulation of B- and T-cell immunity. The linkage of Hsp27 to antigen could elicit higher levels of IgG1, IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL- 5 and Granzyme B than antigen mixed with Montanide ISA-720. Moreover, the ratios of IFN-γ/IL-5 and IgG2a/IgG1 were significantly increased in groups receiving Nef-Vif protein + Montanide ISA- 720 and Hsp27-Nef-Vif protein indicating the direction of the immune response pathway toward strong Th1 response. These ratios were higher in the group receiving Hsp27-Nef-Vif protein than in the group receiving Nef-Vif protein + Montanide ISA-720.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that Hsp27 can be used as an effective adjuvant to enhance antigenspecific immune responses in HIV-1 infectious models for therapeutic vaccine development.</p>","PeriodicalId":20736,"journal":{"name":"Protein and Peptide Letters","volume":"30 5","pages":"401-410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9744983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}