An acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) has been identified and purified from castor bean (Ricinus communis L., IAC‐80) seed through sulphopropyl (SP)‐Sephadex, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)‐Sephadex, Sephacryl S‐200, and Concanavalin A‐Sepharose chromatography. The enzyme was purified 2 000‐fold to homogeneity, with a final specific activity of 3.8 μkat mg−1 protein. The purified enzyme revealed a single diffuse band with phosphatase activity on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, at pH 8.3. The relative molecular mass, determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was found to be 60 kDa. The acid phosphatase had a pH optimum of 5.5 and an akpparent Km value for p‐nitrophenylphosphate of 0.52 mM. The enzyme‐catalyzed reaction was inhibited by inorganic phosphate, fluoride, vanadate, molybdate, p‐chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB), Cu2+ and Zn2+. The strong inhibition by pCMB, Cu2+ and vanadate suggests the presence of sulfhydryl groups essential for catalysis. The castor bean enzyme also recognized tyrosine‐phosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate (KPPi) as substrate. The highest specificity constant (Vmax/Km) was observed with KPPi, making it a potential physiological substrate.

Several sesquiterpene lactone were synthesized and their inhibitive activities on phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Bothrops jararacussu venom were evaluated. Compounds Lac01 and Lac02 were efficient against PLA(2) edema-inducing, enzymatic and myotoxic activities and it reduces around 85% of myotoxicity and around 70% of edema-inducing activity. Lac05-Lac08 presented lower efficiency in inhibiting the biological activities studied and reduce the myotoxic and edema-inducing activities around only 15%. The enzymatic activity was significantly reduced. The values of inhibition constants (K(I)) for Lac01 and Lac02 were approximately 740 μM, and for compounds Lac05-Lac08 the inhibition constants were approximately 7.622-9.240 μM. The enzymatic kinetic studies show that the sesquiterpene lactones inhibit PLA(2) in a non-competitive manner. Some aspects of the structure-activity relationships (topologic, molecular and electronic parameters) were obtained using ab initio quantum calculations and analyzed by chemometric methods (HCA and PCA). The quantum chemistry calculations show that compounds with a higher capacity of inhibiting PLA(2) (Lac01-Lac04) present lower values of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy and molecular volume (VOL) and bigger values of hydrophobicity (LogP). These results indicate some topologic aspects of the binding site of sesquiterpene lactone derivatives and PLA(2).

A novel lectin was isolated from the seeds of Chenopodium quinoa. To achieve this end, the crude extract from the quinoa was submitted to two purification steps, Sephadex G50 and Mono Q. The hemagglutinating activity showed that this lectin agglutinates human erythrocytes. Its activity is inhibited by glucose and mannose, and remained stable under a wide range of pH levels and temperatures. The quinoa lectin was found to be a heterodimeric lectin of approximately 60 kDa, consisting of two subunits of approximately 25 kDa and 35 kDa. This lectin had its antimicrobial activity tested against several bacteria strains and effectively inhibited three strains. These strains were all Gram-negative, making this lectin a promising antimicrobial tool.Keywords: antimicrobial; Chenopodium quinoa; glucose/mannose-specific; lectin; seeds. Practical Application:The purification and characterization of this novel lectin allow its study for a diversity of applications such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and biotechnology and its further use as drugs for human diseases.

A novel trypsin inhibitor of protease (CqTI) was purified from Chenopodium quinoa seeds. The optimal extracting solvent was 0.1M NaCl pH 6.8 (p < 0.05). The extraction time of 5h and 90 °C was optimum for the recovery of the trypsin inhibitor from C. quinoa seeds. The purification occurred in gel-filtration and reverse phase chromatography. CqTI presented active against commercial bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin and had a specific activity of 5,033.00 (TIU/mg), which was purified to 333.5-fold. The extent of purification was determined by SDS-PAGE. CqTI had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 12KDa and two bands in reduced conditions as determined by Tricine-SDS-PAGE. MALDI-TOF showed two peaks in 4,246.5 and 7,908.18m/z. CqTI presented high levels of essential amino acids. N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein did not show similarity to any known protease inhibitor. Its activity was stable over a pH range (2-12), temperatures range (20-100 °C) and reducing agents.Keywords: purification; characterization; inhibitor of trypsin; Chenopodium quinoa; seeds. Practical Application:The purification and characterization of this novel trypsin inhibitor allow its study for a diversity of applications such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and biotechnology and its further use as drugs for human diseases.

Objective:to estimate the prevalence of TaqIA, -141C and rs6280 polymorphisms of the ANKK1, DRD2 and DRD3 genes and evaluate their association with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome in patients with refractory schizophrenia. Method:cross-sectional study conducted in the Extended Western Region of Minas Gerais, with refractory schizophrenic patients using the antipsychotic clozapine. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and genetic data were collected. Univariate analysis of the data was performed. Results:seventy-two patients participated in the study and the occurrence of Metabolic Syndrome was observed in 47.2% of them. There was no association between Metabolic Syndrome and the studied polymorphisms. There was a statistically significant difference in the low HDL parameter with homozygous genotype for the C allele of the -141C polymorphism of the DRD2 gene. Conclusion:a high prevalence of MS was evidenced. The -141C polymorphism was associated with low HDL. Genetic analysis and identification of metabolic alterations in this group of patients can guide drug treatment and provide a better quality of life.