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Full-Text Articles in Biochemistry
Characterization Of Quorum-Quenching Lactonases And Plp-Dependent Aminotransferases: Structure, Mechanism And Alternative Turnover, Romila Nina Mascarenhas
Characterization Of Quorum-Quenching Lactonases And Plp-Dependent Aminotransferases: Structure, Mechanism And Alternative Turnover, Romila Nina Mascarenhas
Dissertations
Cell-to-cell communication by bacteria is essential for the regulation of gene expression important in colonization, biofilm formation, virulence and other processes. This communication is called "quorum-sensing" and is mediated by small molecules called autoinducers. One major class of autoinducers used by gram-negative bacteria is N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL's). Enzymes capable of disrupting this communication are called "quorum-quenching" catalysts and have proven to be invaluable biochemical tools for understanding quorum-sensing pathways. Quorum-quenching enzymes hold promise for application in anti-biofouling, agriculture, aquaculture, bioremediation and other synthetic biology settings. However, the mechanisms that these enzymes use to recognize and process their substrates are …
Characterization Of Multi-Albumin Pegylated Complexes Synthesized Using "Click" Chemistry As Drug Delivery Systems, Jonathan Alejandro Hill
Characterization Of Multi-Albumin Pegylated Complexes Synthesized Using "Click" Chemistry As Drug Delivery Systems, Jonathan Alejandro Hill
Dissertations
Due to its ability to transport hydrophobic materials through the bloodstream, human serum albumin has become an intriguing component for drug delivery systems. The most pressing concerns with current albumin-based systems are the risk of pathogenic transfer associated with human-sourced blood proteins, the negative effect on osmotic pressure due to administration of a large dose of albumins, the potential immune response and loss of biological activity due to heavy modification of these albumins, and the need for organic solvents for preparation of these products. Key residues in the two main drug binding sites, DS1 and DS2, are conserved in bovine …