Baniulis D, Liobikas J, Gelvonauskiene D, Sasnauskas A, Vaitiekaitis G, Stanys V.
Abstract:
Thaumatin-II is an intense sweet tasting protein isolated from fruits of Thaumatococcus daniellii. Thaumatin is a member of the pathogenesis-related protein family referred to as thaumatinlike proteins (TLPs). Expression of thaumatin-II in plants was associated with an enhanced resistance against pathogens. In addition, thaumatin was used to provide the sweet taste quality to plant products. Thus, TLP proteins have a potential application for improving plant stress resistance and taste qualities using the recombinant DNA technology.
Trumbeckaite S, Bernatoniene J, Majiene D, Jakstas V, Savickas A, Toleikis A,
Abstract:
Ginkgo biloba L. (Ginkgoaceae) originated from China, first introduced to Europe in the 18th century, it is now distributed all over the world. The leaves of Ginkgo biloba include a rich complex of active compounds responsible for various pharmacological properties. Ginkgo biloba extract improves blood circulation, protects against oxidative cell damage, blocks platelet aggregation that could be important for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Majiene D, Trumbeckaite S, Savickas A, Toleikis A,
Abstract:
The effect of propolis water solution (PWS) on the respiration of rat heart mitochondria with NAD-linked (pyruvate + malate), FAD-linked (succinate) substrates and fatty acids (palmitoyl-L-carnitine) was investigated in this study. PWS at the lowest concentration of 4 microg mL(-1) of phenolic compounds (PC) had no effect on mitochondrial respiration with all investigated substrates. PWS at concentrations of 63 and 125 microg mL(-1) of PC caused a significant decrease of basal (24 and 54%) and maximal (58 and 70%) respiration rates with succinate as substrate.
Trumbeckaite S, Bernatoniene J, Majiene D, Jakstas V, Savickas A, Toleikis A,
Abstract:
In this study the effects of flavonoids (quercetin and its derivatives as rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin) on the oxidative phosphorylation in rat heart mitochondria were investigated. We found that all investigated flavonoids possessed uncoupling activity. Thus, quercetin, rutin, and quercitrin in dose-dependent manner induced a stimulation of the State 2 respiration rate by 10-110% with pyruvate + malate as substrate.
Liobikas J, Polianskyte Z, Speer O, Thompson J, Alakoskela J-M, Peitsaro N, Franck M, Whitehead MA, Kinnunen PJK, Eriksson O
Abstract:
LACTB is a mammalian mitochondrial protein sharing sequence similarity to the beta-lactamase/penicillin-binding protein family of serine proteases that are involved in bacterial cell wall metabolism. The physiological role of LACTB is unclear. In this study we have subcloned the cDNA of mouse LACTB (mLACTB) and produced recombinant mLACTB protein in Escherichia coli.
