6 documents found, page 1 of 1
Fusion proteins with chromogenic and keratin binding modules
Tinoco, Ana; Antunes, Egipto; Martins, Madalena; Gonçalves, Filipa; Gomes, Andreia C; Silva, Carla; Cavaco-Paulo, Artur; Ribeiro, ArturThe present research relates to a fusion protein comprising a chromogenic blue ultramarine protein (UM) bound to a keratin-based peptide (KP). The KP-UM fusion protein explores UM chromogenic nature together with KP affinity towards hair. For the first time a fusion protein with a chromogenic nature is explored as a hair coloring agent. The KP-UM protein colored overbleached hair, being the color dependent on t...
Design of a chromogenic substrate for elastase based on split GFP system proof ...
Ferreira, Ana V.; Antunes, Egipto; Ribeiro, Artur; Matamá, Teresa; Azoia, Nuno G.; Cunha, J.; Cavaco-Paulo, ArturRecent studies have demonstrated that human neutrophil elastase (HNE) can be used as marker for inflammation/infection of chronic wounds since it was found to be present in high concentration in exudate collected from chronic wounds. Biosensors used in wound care benefit from a chromogenic signalling due to the readiness of signal interpretation, but the most common use faint yellow chromogenic molecules such a...
Internalization of methotrexate conjugates by folate receptor-α
Nogueira, E.; Passos, M.; Azóia, Nuno G.; Antunes, Egipto; Loureiro, Ana; Guimarães, Diana Isabel Pereira; Jennifer Noro; Rollett, AlexandraThe folate antagonist methotrexate is a cytotoxic drug used in the treatment of several cancer types. Methotrexate entry into the cell is mediated by two main transport systems: the reduced folate carrier and membrane-associated folate receptors. These transporters differ considerably in their mechanism of (anti)folate uptake, substrate specificity and tissue specificity. Although the mechanism of action of the...
Hair keratin molecular dynamics studies
Antunes, Egipto; Cruz, Célia F.; Azóia, Nuno G.; Cavaco-Paulo, ArturBook of Abstracts of CEB Annual Meeting 2017; [Excerpt] The keratin is a key element of the hair, nails and skin in vertebrates. Understand the keratin features such its assembling in the mentioned structures, its interactions with some compounds or mechanical properties is of great interest in the fight against some diseases or in the development and optimization of cosmetic products. Although molecular dynami...
Changing the shape of hair with keratin peptides
Cruz, Célia F.; Sá, M.; Antunes, Egipto; Osorio, H.; Ribeiro, Artur; Cavaco-Paulo, ArturChemical straightening of curly human hair fibres involves the use of strong reducing agents at alkaline pH. Human hair is made of keratin, and the fixation of fibre shape involves the reduction and reformation of new disulphide bonds between keratin molecules. Here, we propose an alternative and green methodology using keratin peptide sequences (10-13 residues) derived from the human genome. In a previous stud...
Straighten curly hair with keratin peptides
Martins, Madalena; Cruz, Célia F.; Antunes, Egipto; Ribeiro, Artur; Cavaco-Paulo, ArturBook of Abstracts of CEB Annual Meeting 2017; [Excerpt] Chemical straightening curly human hair fibres involves the use of strong reducing agents at alkaline pHs. These treatments damage the hair fibre, reduce the cross‐linking density and decrease hair’s physico mechanical properties [1]. Human hair is made of keratin and the fixation of fibres shape involve the reduction and reformation of new disulphide bon...