scholarly journals Modification of the Campylobacter jejuni flagellin glycan by the product of the Cj1295 homopolymeric-tract-containing gene

Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (7) ◽  
pp. 1953-1962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Hitchen ◽  
Joanna Brzostek ◽  
Maria Panico ◽  
Jonathan A. Butler ◽  
Howard R. Morris ◽  
...  

The Campylobacter jejuni flagellin protein is O-glycosylated with structural analogues of the nine-carbon sugar pseudaminic acid. The most common modifications in the C. jejuni 81-176 strain are the 5,7-di-N-acetylated derivative (Pse5Ac7Ac) and an acetamidino-substituted version (Pse5Am7Ac). Other structures detected include O-acetylated and N-acetylglutamine-substituted derivatives (Pse5Am7Ac8OAc and Pse5Am7Ac8GlnNAc, respectively). Recently, a derivative of pseudaminic acid modified with a di-O-methylglyceroyl group was detected in C. jejuni NCTC 11168 strain. The gene products required for Pse5Ac7Ac biosynthesis have been characterized, but those genes involved in generating other structures have not. We have demonstrated that the mobility of the NCTC 11168 flagellin protein in SDS-PAGE gels can vary spontaneously and we investigated the role of single nucleotide repeats or homopolymeric-tract-containing genes from the flagellin glycosylation locus in this process. One such gene, Cj1295, was shown to be responsible for structural changes in the flagellin glycoprotein. Mass spectrometry demonstrated that the Cj1295 gene is required for glycosylation with the di-O-methylglyceroyl-modified version of pseudaminic acid.

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Jiang ◽  
Stephen Salton

AbstractNeurotrophins and other growth factors have been advanced as critical modulators of depressive behavior. Support for this model is based on analyses of knockout and transgenic mouse models, human genetic studies, and screens for gene products that are regulated by depressive behavior and/or antidepressants. Even subtle alteration in the regulated secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), for example, due to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-encoded Val-Met substitution in proBDNF that affects processing and sorting, impacts behavior and cognition. Alterations in growth factor expression result in changes in neurogenesis as well as structural changes in neuronal cytoarchitecture, including effects on dendritic length and spine density, in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex. These changes have the potential to impact the plasticity and stability of synapses in the CNS, and the complex brain circuitry that regulates behavior. Here we review the role that neurotrophins play in the modulation of depressive behavior, and the downstream signaling targets they regulate that potentially mediate these behavioral pro-depressant and antidepressant effects.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Anna Pegoraro ◽  
Elena De Marchi ◽  
Elena Adinolfi

The P2X7 receptor for extracellular ATP is a well-established mediator of tumoral development and progression both in solid cancers and hematological malignancies. The human P2X7 gene is highly polymorphic, and several splice variants of the receptor have been identified in time. P2X7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been broadly analyzed by studies relating them to pathologies as different as infectious, inflammatory, nervous, and bone diseases, among which cancer is included. Moreover, in the last years, an increasing number of reports concentrated on P2X7 splice variants’ different roles and their implications in pathological conditions, including oncogenesis. Here, we give an overview of established and recent literature demonstrating a role for human P2X7 gene products in oncological conditions, mainly focusing on current data emerging on P2X7 isoform B and nfP2X7. We explored the role of these and other genetic variants of P2X7 in cancer insurgence, dissemination, and progression, as well as the effect of chemotherapy on isoforms expression. The described literature strongly suggests that P2X7 variants are potential new biomarkers and therapeutical targets in oncological conditions and that their study in carcinogenesis deserves to be further pursued.


2006 ◽  
pp. 20-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ershov

The economic growth, which is underway in Russia, raises new questions to be addressed. How to improve the quality of growth, increasing the role of new competitive sectors and transforming them into the driving force of growth? How can progressive structural changes be implemented without hampering the rate of growth in general? What are the main external and internal risks, which may undermine positive trends of development? The author looks upon financial, monetary and foreign exchange aspects of the problem and comes up with some suggestions on how to make growth more competitive and sustainable.


Author(s):  
Lyudmila P. Kuzmina ◽  
Anastasiya G. Khotuleva ◽  
Evgeniy V. Kovalevsky ◽  
Nikolay N. Anokhin ◽  
Iraklij M. Tskhomariya

Introduction. Various industries widely use chrysotile asbestos, which determines the relevance of research aimed at the prevention of asbestos-related diseases. It is promising to assess the role of specific genes, which products are potentially involved in the development and regulation of certain links in the pathogenesis of asbestosis, forming a genetic predisposition to the disease. The study aims to analyze the presence of associations of genetic polymorphism of cytokines and antioxidant enzymes with asbestosis development. Materials and methods. Groups were formed for examination among employees of OJSC "Uralasbest" with an established diagnosis of asbestosis and without lung diseases. For each person included in the study, dust exposure doses were calculated considering the percentage of time spent at the workplace during the shift for the entire work time. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokines IL1b (rs16944), IL4 (rs2243250), IL6 (rs1800795), TNFα (rs1800629) and antioxidant enzymes SOD2 (rs4880), GSTP1 (rs1610011), CAT (rs1001179) was carried out. Results. The authors revealed the associations of polymorphic variants A511G IL1b gene (OR=2.457, 95% CI=1.232-4.899) and C47T SOD2 gene (OR=1.705, 95% CI=1.055-2.756) with the development of asbestosis. There was an increase in the T allele IL4 gene (C589T) frequency in persons with asbestosis at lower values of dust exposure doses (OR=2.185, 95% CI=1.057-4.514). The study showed the associations of polymorphism C589T IL4 gene and C174G IL6 gene with more severe asbestosis, polymorphism A313G GSTP1 gene with pleural lesions in asbestosis. Conclusion. Polymorphic variants of the genes of cytokines and antioxidant enzymes, the protein products directly involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of the formation of asbestosis, contribute to forming a genetic predisposition to the development and severe course of asbestosis. Using the identified genetic markers to identify risk groups for the development and intense period of asbestos-related pathology will optimize treatment and preventive measures, considering the organism's characteristics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Benvenga ◽  
Antonio Micali ◽  
Giovanni Pallio ◽  
Roberto Vita ◽  
Consuelo Malta ◽  
...  

Background: Cadmium (Cd) impairs gametogenesis and damages the blood-testis barrier. Objective: As the primary mechanism of Cd-induced damage is oxidative stress, the effects of two natural antioxidants, myo-inositol (MI) and seleno-L-methionine (Se), were evaluated in mice testes. Methods: Eighty-four male C57 BL/6J mice were divided into twelve groups: 0.9% NaCl (vehicle; 1 ml/kg/day i.p.); Se (0.2 mg/kg/day per os); Se (0.4 mg/kg/day per os); MI (360 mg/kg/day per os); MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 (2 mg/kg/day i.p.) plus vehicle; CdCl2 plus MI; CdCl2 plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day); CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.2 mg/kg/day); and CdCl2 plus MI plus Se (0.4 mg/kg/day). After 14 days, testes were processed for biochemical, structural and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: CdCl2 increased iNOS and TNF-α expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, lowered glutathione (GSH) and testosterone, induced testicular lesions, and almost eliminated claudin-11 immunoreactivity. Se administration at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression, maintained GSH, MDA and testosterone levels, structural changes and low claudin-11 immunoreactivity. MI alone or associated with Se at 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg significantly reduced iNOS and TNF-α expression and MDA levels, increased GSH and testosterone levels, ameliorated structural organization and increased claudin-11 patches number. Conclusion: We demonstrated a protective effect of MI, a minor role of Se and an evident positive role of the association between MI and Se on Cd-induced damages of the testis. MI alone or associated with Se might protect testes in subjects exposed to toxicants, at least to those with behavior similar to Cd.


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