TonB System, In Vivo Assays and Characterization

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by protozoan belonging to the Leishmania genus. There are at least 16 pathogenic species for humans that are able to cause different clinical forms, such as cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis. In spite of the different species and clinical forms, the treatment is performed with few drug options that, in most cases, are considered outdated. In addition, patients under classical treatment show serious side effects during drug administration, moreover parasites are able to become resistant to medicines. Thus, it is believed and well accepted that is urgent and necessary to develop new therapeutic options to overpass these concerns about conventional therapy of leishmaniasis. The present review will focus on the efficacy, side effects and action mechanism of classic drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis, as well as the importance of traditional knowledge for directing a rational search toward the discovery and characterization of new and effective molecules (in vivo assays) from plants to be used against leishmaniasis.

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Cytotoxic and Chemopreventive Effects of Gemin D Against Different Mutagens Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520616666160906092502 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 712-718 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cristiene Costa Carneiro ◽

Aroldo Vieira de Moraes-Filho ◽

Amanda Silva Fernandes ◽

Suzana da Costa Santos ◽

Daniela de Melo e Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Vivo Assays

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Cork Oak Endophytic Fungi as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Biscogniauxia mediterranea and Diplodia corticola

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof6040287 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 287

Author(s):

Daniela Costa ◽

Rui M. Tavares ◽

Paula Baptista ◽

Teresa Lino-Neto

Keyword(s):

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Cork Oak ◽

In Vivo Assays ◽

Oak Trees ◽

Treatment Measures ◽

Dual Plate ◽

Antagonistic Potential ◽

Selection Of

An increase in cork oak diseases caused by Biscogniauxia mediterranea and Diplodia corticola has been reported in the last decade. Due to the high socio-economic and ecologic importance of this plant species in the Mediterranean Basin, the search for preventive or treatment measures to control these diseases is an urgent need. Fungal endophytes were recovered from cork oak trees with different disease severity levels, using culture-dependent methods. The results showed a higher number of potential pathogens than beneficial fungi such as cork oak endophytes, even in healthy plants. The antagonist potential of a selection of eight cork oak fungal endophytes was tested against B. mediterranea and D. corticola by dual-plate assays. The tested endophytes were more efficient in inhibiting D. corticola than B. mediterranea growth, but Simplicillium aogashimaense, Fimetariella rabenhorstii, Chaetomium sp. and Alternaria alternata revealed a high potential to inhibit the growth of both. Simplicillium aogashimaense caused macroscopic and microscopic mycelial/hyphal deformations and presented promising results in controlling both phytopathogens’ growth in vitro. The evaluation of the antagonistic potential of non-volatile and volatile compounds also revealed that A. alternata compounds could be further explored for inhibiting both pathogens. These findings provide valuable knowledge that can be further explored in in vivo assays to find a suitable biocontrol agent for these cork oak diseases.

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Let-7a regulates EV secretion and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by targeting SNAP23 in colorectal cancer

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-020-01813-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

You Dong Liu ◽

Xiao Peng Zhuang ◽

Dong Lan Cai ◽

Can Cao ◽

Qi Sheng Gu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽

Metabolic Reprogramming ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation ◽

In Vivo Assays ◽

Reporter Assays ◽

Extracellular Mirna

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abundant in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the functions of extracellular miRNA to recipient cells have been extensively studied with tumorigenesis. However, the role of miRNA in EV secretion from cancer cells remains unknown. Methods qPCR and bioinformatics analysis were applied for determining extracellular let-7a expression from CRC patient serum and cells. Nanosight particle tracking analysis was performed for investigating the effect of let-7a on EV secretion. Luciferase reporter assays was used for identifying targeted genes synaptosome-associated protein 23 (SNAP23). In vitro and in vivo assays were used for exploring the function of let-7a/SNAP23 axis in CRC progression. Bioenergetic assays were performed for investigating the role of let-7a/SNAP23 in cellular metabolic reprogramming. Results let-7a miRNA was elevated in serum EVs from CRC patients and was enriched in CRC cell-derived EVs. We determined that let-7a could suppress EV secretion directly targeting SNAP23. In turn, SNAP23 promotes EV secretion of let-7a to downregulate the intracellular let-7a expression. In addition, we found a novel mechanism of let-7a/SNAP23 axis by regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) through Lin28a/SDHA signaling pathway. Conclusions Let-7a plays an essential role in not only inhibiting EV secretion, but also suppressing OXPHOS through SNAP23, resulting in the suppression of CRC progression, suggesting that let-7a/SNAP23 axis could provide not only effective tumor biomarkers but also novel targets for tumor therapeutic strategies.

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