title: A lipocalin sequence signature modulates cell survival.
abstract: Lipocalins are beta-barrel proteins, which share three conserved motifs in their amino acid sequence. In this study, we identified by a peptide mapping approach, a seven-amino acid sequence related to one of these motifs (motif 2) that modulates cell survival. A synthetic peptide based on an insect lipocalin displayed cytoprotective activity in serum-deprived endothelial cells and leucocytes. This activity was dependent on nitric oxide synthase. This sequence was found within several lipocalins, including apolipoprotein D, retinol binding protein, lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase, and many unknown proteins, suggesting that it is a sequence signature and a lipocalin conserved property.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. amchudzinski@butantan.gov.br
authors.forename: Ana Marisa
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chudzinski-Tavassi
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Carrijo-Carvalho
authors.forename: Kaline
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waismam
authors.forename: Sandra H P
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Farsky
authors.forename: Oscar H P
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Cleyson V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000737:chemistry*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D054834:Lipocalins; D010455:Peptides; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase