Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a family of antioxidant proteins that reduce peroxide levels by using reducing agents such as thioredoxin. These proteins were characterized to have a number of cellular functions, including cell proliferation and differentiation and protection of specific proteins from oxidative damage. However, the physiological roles of the peroxiredoxins have not been determined. To clarify the physiological relevance of this protein type, we generated a mouse model deficient in Prx II, which is abundantly expressed in all types of cells. The Prx II ؊/؊ mice were healthy in appearance and fertile. However, they had splenomegaly caused by the congestion of red pulp with hemosiderin accumulation. Heinz bodies were detected in their peripheral blood, and morphologically abnormal cells were elevated in the dense red blood cell (RBC) fractions, which contained markedly higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The Prx II ؊/؊ mice had significantly decreased hematocrit levels, but increased reticulocyte counts and erythropoietin levels, indicative of a compensatory action to maintain hematologic homeostasis in the mice. In addition, a labeling experiment with the thiol-modifying reagent biotinylated iodoacetamide (BIAM) in Prx II ؊/؊ mice revealed that a variety of RBC proteins were highly oxidized.

Quantum mechanical calculations were applied to resolve controversies about phosphate surface complexes on iron hydroxides. Six possible surface complexes were modeled: deprotonated, monoprotonated, and diprotonated versions of bridging bidentate and monodentate complexes. The calculated frequencies were compared to experimental IR frequency data (Persson et al. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1996, 177, 263-275; Arai and Sparks J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2001, 241, 317-326.). This study suggests that the surface complexes change depending on pH. Four possible species are a diprotonated bidentate complex at pH 4-6, either a deprotonated bidentate or a monoprotonated monodentate complex at pH 7.5-7.9, and a deprotonated monodentate complex at pH 12.8. In addition, reaction energies were calculated for adsorption from aqueous solution to determine relative stability to form a monoprotonated monodentate complex and a deprotonated bidentate complex. According to these results, the monoprotonated monodentate complex should be favored. Vibrational frequencies of the monoprotonated monodentate and deprotonated bidentate complexes were analyzed with electronic effects on the Fe-OP and H-OP bonds.

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Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) constitute a heterogeneous mixture of polyelectrolytes that mediate biomineralization and bacterial adhesion and stabilize biofilm matrixes in natural and artificial environments. Although nucleic acids are exuded extracellularly and are purported to be required for biofilm formation, direct evidence of the active mechanism is lacking. EPS were extracted from both Bacillus subtilis (a gram-positive bacterium) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a gram-negative bacterium) and their interaction with the goethite (alpha-FeOOH) surface was studied using attenuated total internal reflection infrared spectroscopy. Correspondence between spectral data and quantum chemical calculations demonstrate that phosphodiester groups of nucleic acids mediate the binding of EPS to mineral surfaces. Our data indicate that these groups emerge from the EPS mixture to form monodentate complexes with Fe centers on the goethite (alpha-FeOOH) surface, providing an energetically stable bond for further EPS or cell adhesion.