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The aconitase AcnA from the phosphinothricin tripeptide producing strain Streptomyces viridochromogenes Tü494 is a bifunctional protein: under iron-sufficiency conditions AcnA functions as an enzyme of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, whereas under iron depletion it is a regulator of iron metabolism and oxidative stress response. As a member of the family of iron regulatory proteins (IRP), AcnA binds to characteristic iron responsive element (IRE) binding motifs and post-transcriptionally controls the expression of respective target genes. A S. viridochromogenes aconitase mutant (MacnA) has previously been shown to be highly sensitive to oxidative stress. In the present paper, we performed a comparative proteomic approach with the S. viridochromogenes wild-type and the MacnA mutant strain under oxidative stress conditions to identify proteins that are under control of the AcnA-mediated regulation. We identified up to 90 differentially expressed proteins in both strains. In silico analysis of the corresponding gene sequences revealed the presence of IRE motifs on some of the respective target mRNAs. From this proteome study we have in vivo evidences for a direct AcnA-mediated regulation upon oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here, we describe a sensitive and specific method for thrombin detection with aptamer functionalized core–shell Fe3O4@C@Au magnetic microspheres (Au-MMPs). Firstly, Au-MMPs were synthesized through surface adsorption of gold nanoparticles onto PDDA functionalized Fe3O4@C magnetic microspheres. Then, the as-synthesized Au-MMPs were developed as new substrate for immobilization of thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) through easy formation of Au–S bond. After that, the prepared aptamer functionalized Au-MMPs (TBA@Au-MMPs) were used as effective magnetic absorbent to extract trace level of thrombin from dilute solutions. Finally, enriched thrombin was digested by trypsin and analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Taking advantage of the efficient affinity extraction ability of our TBA@Au-MMPs and the sensitive mass readout of MALDI-TOF, highly sensitive detection of thrombin was achieved. The limit of detection was as low as 18fmol, corresponding to 0.36nM thrombin in 50μL original solution. Linear relation was observed within a concentration range from 0.5nM to 10nM with linear correlation R 2 =0.998. Other proteins including human serum albumin (HSA), Ig G, transferrin, oval albumin (OVA) and fetal calf serum did not interfere with thrombin detection. This simple method holds great potential for analyzing, sensing, purification and preconcentration of proteins in biological fluids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An aptamer-based strategy was developed for the high-throughput analysis of protein biomarkers, such as lysozyme, by on-target MALDI-TOF MS. The aptamers were immobilized on the target plate through formation of covalent bonds with a stable and porous gold layer. An infrared laser was subsequently applied for fast proteolysis. High sensitivities were observed both in standard solutions and human urine., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

High abundance proteins existing in human plasma severely impede the detection of low abundance proteins. This is one of the most difficult problems encountered in plasma proteomics research. We developed a two-dimensional liquid chromatography system with strong anion exchange chromatography-reversed-phase liquid chromatography (SAX-RPLC) for the extensive separation of plasma proteins and selective depletion of high abundance proteins. TSKgel SuperQ-5PW was selected as the first dimensional separation column for crude human plasma fractionation and Jupiter C4 column was selected as the second dimensional separation column. Separation gradients of the two-dimensional liquid chromatography system were optimized to ensure an extensive separation of plasma proteins. Ten peaks with high signal intensities ( >20 mAU) at 215 nm during the second dimensional separation were collected and identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). As a result, 32 proteins, all of which were reported to be high abundance proteins in plasma, including human serum albumin (HSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and so on were successfully identified. This system provides an effective method for future depletion of more high abundance proteins and in-depth research in human plasma proteomics.