 |
|
Folate mystery finally solved
August 23, 2007Some biochemical processes, especially those in bacteria, have been so well studied it's assumed that no discoveries are left to be made. Not so, it turns out, for Johns Hopkins researchers who have stumbled on the identity of an enzyme that had been a mystery for more than 30 years. The report appears in the May 15 issue of Structure.
"It was really quite a surprise when we realized we had discovered the unknown player in how bacteria make the B vitamin folate, a player that we've known of since 1974," says study author L. Mario Amzel, Ph.D., professor and director of biophysics and biophysical chemistry at Hopkins. "Basic research can be so serendipitous at times."
Amzel and colleague Maurice Bessman and their labs were in the middle of systematically characterizing how members of a family of related enzymes in bacteria can recognize specific molecules. With each family member, they isolated purified enzyme, grew crystals of pure enzyme, and figured out the enzyme's 3-D structure by using techniques that use X-rays.
Armed with the 3-D structure, they then used computer modeling to analyze how the enzyme binds to and acts on another molecule, its substrate.
"We still didn't know that it was anything special until Maurice started searching old publications," says study author Sandra Gabelli, Ph.D. "As it turns out, Suzuki and coworkers in 1974 had published evidence of an enzyme in the bacteria E. coli with similar characteristics to ours that could initiate folate biosynthesis."
"So we had to ask, Can the bacteria make folate if we remove the orf17 gene"" says Amzel. Bessman and colleagues then "knocked-out" the gene and, predictably, the bacteria made 10 times less folate than usual.
"It was such a sweet discovery," says Gabelli. "It's scientific discovery the old-fashioned way, finding something we weren't looking for."
The mechanics behind how bacteria make folate are of particular interest to scientists who want to design more powerful antibacterial drugs. Humans cannot make folate because they do not have any of the same molecular machinery. Therefore, it's possible to design drugs that target the bacterial folate machinery that would not lead to side effects in humans.
Their discovery, says Amzel, identifies yet another potential antibacterial target. "We are not in that business of drug design-we're focused on the basics, figuring out how things work," he says. "We do hope that others can use what we find to make new drugs."
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Armed with the 3-D structure, they then used computer modeling to analyze how the enzyme binds to and acts on another molecule, its substrate.
"We still didn't know that it was anything special until Maurice started searching old publications," says study author Sandra Gabelli, Ph.D. "As it turns out, Suzuki and coworkers in 1974 had published evidence of an enzyme in the bacteria E. coli with similar characteristics to ours that could initiate folate biosynthesis."
"So we had to ask, Can the bacteria make folate if we remove the orf17 gene"" says Amzel. Bessman and colleagues then "knocked-out" the gene and, predictably, the bacteria made 10 times less folate than usual.
"It was such a sweet discovery," says Gabelli. "It's scientific discovery the old-fashioned way, finding something we weren't looking for."
The mechanics behind how bacteria make folate are of particular interest to scientists who want to design more powerful antibacterial drugs. Humans cannot make folate because they do not have any of the same molecular machinery. Therefore, it's possible to design drugs that target the bacterial folate machinery that would not lead to side effects in humans.
Their discovery, says Amzel, identifies yet another potential antibacterial target. "We are not in that business of drug design-we're focused on the basics, figuring out how things work," he says. "We do hope that others can use what we find to make new drugs."
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Folate Current Events and Folate News RSSLet them eat snail
A nutritionist in Nigeria says that malnutrition and iron deficiency in schoolchildren could be reduced in her country by baking up snail pie.
Blood test identifies women at risk from Alzheimer's
Middle-aged women with high levels of a specific amino acid in their blood are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer's many years later, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Medical food reduces medical costs and use of anti-convulsant medication
Diabetic patients diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy had lower medical costs and reduced use of anticonvulsant medications when treated with a folate-enriched prescription medical food.
News brief: Effects of aspirin and folic acid on inflammation markers for colorectal adenomas
Unexpectedly, inflammation markers do not appear to be involved with the chemopreventative effect of aspirin on colorectal adenomas, according to a brief communication published online October 12 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Essential nutrient found in eggs may help lower risk of neural tube defects
Research published online in the journal Epidemiology found that higher levels of total blood choline are associated with a 2.5-fold reduction in risk for neural tube birth defects (NTDs).
New cancer drug delivery system is effective and reversible
For cancer drug developers, finding an agent that kills tumor cells is only part of the equation. The drug must also spare healthy cells, and - ideally - its effects will be reversible, to cut short any potentially dangerous side effects.
Irish-led research team rule out link between specific antibodies and spina bifida
New research, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that a woman's risk of having a child with a neural tube defect (NTD), such as Spina Bifida, is not linked to folic acid related auto-antibodies.
Purdue researchers create prostate cancer 'homing device' for drug delivery
A new prostate cancer "homing device" could improve detection and allow for the first targeted treatment of the disease.
ADA releases updated position paper on vegetarian diets
The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.
Some neural tube defects in mice linked to enzyme deficiency
Women of childbearing age can reduce the risk of having a child born with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida by eating enough folate or folic acid. However, folate prevents only about 70 percent of these defects.
More Folate Current Events and Folate News Articles
 |
Solgar - Folate (Metafolin)800 Mcg, 100 tablets by Solgar Solgar Folate As Metafolin 800 mcg Folate 800 mcg as Metafolin Tablets is one of Solgars premium-quality vitamin B products.Active Form Of FolatePrenatal SupportRed Blood Cell HealthThe Importance Of FolateFolate is a water-soluble B vitamin that must be replaced regularly since it is not stored in the body to any extent. Most people in particular the elderly do not obtain enough folate rom their diet for optimal functioning so supplementation is important. Folic acid is the best-known form of folate.... |
 |
Spring Valley - Folic Acid 400 mcg, 250 Tablets by Schiff Nutrition International. Folic Acid is a B vitamin and is one of the factors involved with vitamin B-12 in the production of new red blood cells and the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the carriers of genetic information. |
 |
Source Naturals Coenzymate B Complex, Peppermint Flavored Sublingual Tablets, 120 tablets by Source Naturals Dietary supplement. Suitable for vegetarians. In order for B Vitamins to be utilized by the body, they must first be converted into their active coenzyme forms. This sublingual Coenzymate B Complex goes directly into your bloodstream in its active form, ready to go to work immediately. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.) |
 |
Spring Valley - Folic Acid 800 mcg, 250 Tablets by Nature's Bounty, Inc. Folic Acid is a B vitamin and is one of the factors involved with vitamin B-12 in the production of new red blood cells and the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the carriers of genetic information. |
 |
Folate in Health and Disease, Second Edition (Clinical Nutrition in Health and Disease) by Lynn B. Bailey (Editor) Presents Groundbreaking Findings on Folate’s Role in Health During the fifteen years since the bestselling first edition of Folate in Health and Disease was published, there have been thousands of new research studies related to folate and its role in health and disease. The second edition of the book uniquely bridges the gap between basic science and public health/clinical medicine. Contributions from 50+ International Experts New insights related to folate chemistry, bioavailability, kinetics, metabolism, nutrient-gene, and nutrient-nutrient interaction are coupled with a public health/clinical medicine perspective of research findings targeted to birth defects, vascular and neurological diseases, and cancer. Epidemiological evidence is... |
 |
LIFE EXTENSION, OPTIMIZED FOLATE 1000MCG - 100 VCAPS by LIFE EXTENSION Optimized Folate (L-Methylfolate) 1000 mcg, 100 vegetarian capsules Folate is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and critical enzymatic reactions throughout the body. By depleting excess homocysteine, folate benefits cardiovascular health and nervous system function. Those who take ordinary folic acid supplements, however, may not be experiencing its full spectrum of effects. This is because once ingested, not everyone converts folate to its biologically active form called 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Research shows that in a large proportion of the population, genetic enzyme deficiencies prevent the conversion of folate to 5-MTHF, leaving many vulnerable to low blood folate levels (and higher than desired homocysteine). A more useful approach is to take the bioactive... |
 |
Folate di Scirocco Paolo Longo Vaschetto (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Innate Response Formulas Folate, B6 & B12 - 90 Tablets by Innate Response Formulas Folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 in 100% whole food vitamins. |
 |
Views on World Poverty: Niger & Nepal (Home Use) Also With: TVE.org (Producer) This DVD includes two films about malnutrition and how it affects children and pregnant mothers. Although the syndromes in each region are different, poverty is the root cause of protein energy malnutrition in Nepal and iron deficiency anemia in Niger. Program One: Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, and less than a third of its population has access to any health care. Malnutrition remains the main cause of maternal and infant mortality and well over half of all pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency anemia. This program follows two traditional birth attendants as they try to persuade women to take iron folate supplements and visit hospitals, which is often prohibitively expensive. The program also visits Tanzania, where it is malaria that is blamed for the... |
 |
Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (Dietary Reference Series) by Other B Vitamins, and Choline and Subcommittee on Upper Reference Levels of Nutrients A Report of the Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate (Author), Food and Nutrition Board (Author), Institute of Medicine (Author) Since 1941, Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) has been recognized as the most authoritative source of information on nutrient levels for healthy people. Since publication of the 10th edition in 1989, there has been rising awareness of the impact of nutrition on chronic disease. In light of new research findings and a growing public focus on nutrition and health, the expert panel responsible for formulation RDAs reviewed and expanded its approach - the result: "Dietary Reference Intakes". This new series of references greatly extends the scope and application of previous nutrient guidelines. For each nutrient the book presents what is known about how the nutrient functions in the human body, what the best method is to determine its requirements, which factors (caffeine or exercise, for... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |