Wrocław University of Technology

About: Wrocław University of Technology is a education organization based out in Wrocław, Poland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Fuzzy logic. The organization has 13115 authors who have published 31279 publications receiving 338694 citations.

Activation and Specificity of human Caspase-10

Abstract: Two apical caspases, caspase-8 and -10, are involved in the extrinsic death receptor pathway in humans, but it is mainly caspase-8 in its apoptotic and nonapoptotic functions that has been an intense research focus. In this study we concentrate on caspase-10, its mechanism of activation, and the role of the intersubunit cleavage. Our data obtained through in vitro dimerization assays strongly suggest that caspase-10 follows the proximity-induced dimerization model for apical caspases. Furthermore, we compare the specificity and activity of the wild-type protease with a mutant incapable of autoprocessing by using positional scanning substrate analysis and cleavage of natural protein substrates. These experiments reveal a striking difference between the wild type and the mutant, leading us to hypothesize that the single chain enzyme has restricted activity on most proteins but high activity on the proapoptotic protein Bid, potentially supporting a prodeath role for both cleaved and uncleaved caspase-10.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Ascomycota Fungi Penicillium nalgiovense AJ12

Abstract: A new method for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the cell-free filtrate of Penicillium nalgiovense AJ12 as reducing and protecting agent was described. The pathway is based on the reduction of Ag1+ by protein(s). Various techniques such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared and Zeta potential measurements were used to characterize the silver nanoparticle obtained. The results revealed synthesis of the spherical silver nanoparticles coated with protein(s). The average size of the particles obtained from TEM was 15.2 ± 2.6 nm. DLS measurements showed that the particle size was higher than that estimated from TEM measurements and was 25.2 ± 2.8 nm. Studies on the role of the cell-free filtrate proteins in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles indicated that the process is non-enzymatic but involves amino acids interactions with silver ions. It was found that the aqueous silver nanoparticles suspensions exhibited excellent stability over a wide range of ionic strength, pH and temperature.