scholarly journals Human METTL7B Encodes an Alkyl Thiol Methyltransferase that Methylates Hydrogen Sulfide

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Maldonato ◽  
Rheem A. Totah
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Thiol Compounds ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Catalytic Function ◽  
Thiol Methyltransferase ◽  
First Time

Summary Paragraph/AbstractMethyltransferase-like protein 7B (METTL7B) is implicated in tumor growth and progression while gene expression is upregulated in several different disease states such as rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer. Yet, the catalytic function of METTL7B has not been characterized. Here we demonstrate that METTL7B encodes a protein that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to form methanethiol (CH3SH). Several exogenous aliphatic thiols were also identified as substrates. Modulation of METTL7B gene expression in HepG2 and HeLa cell culture directly alters the methylation of captopril, a marker reaction of alkyl thiol methyltransferase (TMT) activity(1, 2). Furthermore, cloned and recombinantly expressed and purified METTL7B full length protein methylates several thiol compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, 7α-thiospironolactone, captopril, and L-penicillamine in a concentration dependent manner. Endogenous thiols such as glutathione and cysteine or classic probe substrates of other known small molecule S-, N-, and O- methyltransferases were not substrates for METTL7B. Our results unequivocally demonstrate, and for the first time, that METTL7B, a protein implicated in several disease states, is an alkyl thiol methyltransferase(3–5). Identifying the catalytic function of METTL7B will enable future pharmacological research in disease pathophysiology where METTL7B expression and H2S levels can potentially alter the redox state and growth cycle of cells.

scholarly journals Human METTL7B is an alkyl thiol methyltransferase that metabolizes hydrogen sulfide and captopril

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Maldonato ◽  
Drake A. Russell ◽  
Rheem A. Totah
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Thiol Compounds ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Catalytic Function ◽  
Thiol Reactivity ◽  
Thiol Methyltransferase

AbstractMethylation of alkyl thiols is a biotransformation pathway designed to reduce thiol reactivity and potential toxicity, yet the gene and protein responsible for human alkyl thiol methyltransferase (TMT) activity remain unknown. Here we demonstrate with a range of experimental approaches using cell lines, in vitro systems, and recombinantly expressed enzyme, that human methyltransferase-like protein 7B (METTL7B) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other exogenous thiol small molecules. METTL7B gene modulation experiments, including knockdown in HepG2 cells and overexpression in HeLa cells, directly alter the methylation of the drug captopril, a historic probe substrate for TMT activity. Furthermore, recombinantly expressed and purified wild-type METTL7B methylates several thiol compounds, including H2S, 7α-thiospironolactone, l-penicillamine, and captopril, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Typical for AdoMet-dependent small molecule methyltransferases, S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) inhibited METTL7B activity in a competitive fashion. Similarly, mutating a conserved aspartate residue, proposed to anchor AdoMet into the active site, to an alanine (D98A) abolished methylation activity. Endogenous thiols such as glutathione and cysteine, or classic substrates for other known small molecule S-, N-, and O-methyltransferases, were not substrates for METTL7B. Our results confirm, for the first time, that METTL7B, a gene implicated in multiple disease states including rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer, encodes a protein that methylates small molecule alkyl thiols. Identifying the catalytic function of METTL7B will enable future pharmacological research in disease pathophysiology where altered METTL7B expression and, potentially H2S levels, can disrupt cell growth and redox state.

scholarly journals Brassinolide Enhances the Level of Brassinosteroids, Protein, Pigments, and Monosaccharides in Wolffia arrhiza Treated with Brassinazole

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
Magdalena Chmur ◽  
Andrzej Bajguz
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Spectrophotometric Methods ◽  
Synthetic Inhibitor ◽  
Wolffia Arrhiza ◽  
First Time

Brassinolide (BL) represents brassinosteroids (BRs)—a group of phytohormones that are essential for plant growth and development. Brassinazole (Brz) is as a synthetic inhibitor of BRs’ biosynthesis. In the present study, the responses of Wolffia arrhiza to the treatment with BL, Brz, and the combination of BL with Brz were analyzed. The analysis of BRs and Brz was performed using LC-MS/MS. The photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls, carotenes, and xanthophylls) levels were determined using HPLC, but protein and monosaccharides level using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained results indicated that BL and Brz influence W. arrhiza cultures in a concentration-dependent manner. The most stimulatory effects on the growth, level of BRs (BL, 24-epibrassinolide, 28-homobrassinolide, 28-norbrassinolide, catasterone, castasterone, 24-epicastasterone, typhasterol, and 6-deoxytyphasterol), and the content of pigments, protein, and monosaccharides, were observed in plants treated with 0.1 µM BL. Whereas the application of 1 µM and 10 µM Brz caused a significant decrease in duckweed weight and level of targeted compounds. Application of BL caused the mitigation of the Brz inhibitory effect and enhanced the BR level in duckweed treated with Brz. The level of BRs was reported for the first time in duckweed treated with BL and/or Brz.

scholarly journals Modulatory Effects of Osthole on Lipopolysaccharides-Induced Inflammation in Caco-2 Cell Monolayer and Co-Cultures with THP-1 and THP-1-Derived Macrophages

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Natalia K. Kordulewska ◽  
Justyna Topa ◽  
Małgorzata Tańska ◽  
Anna Cieślińska ◽  
Ewa Fiedorowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Inflammatory Reaction ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Tnf Α

Lipopolysaccharydes (LPS) are responsible for the intestinal inflammatory reaction, as they may disrupt tight junctions and induce cytokines (CKs) secretion. Osthole has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, thus its anti-inflammatory potential in the LPS-treated Caco-2 cell line as well as in Caco-2/THP-1 and Caco-2/macrophages co-cultures was investigated. In brief, Caco-2 cells and co-cultures were incubated with LPS to induce an inflammatory reaction, after which osthole (150–450 ng/mL) was applied to reduce this effect. After 24 h, the level of secreted CKs and changes in gene expression were examined. LPS significantly increased the levels of IL-1β, -6, -8, and TNF-α, while osthole reduced this effect in a concentration-dependent manner, with the most significant decrease when a 450 ng/mL dose was applied (p < 0.0001). A similar trend was observed in changes in gene expression, with the significant osthole efficiency at a concentration of 450 ng/μL for IL1R1 and COX-2 (p < 0.01) and 300 ng/μL for NF-κB (p < 0.001). Osthole increased Caco-2 monolayer permeability, thus if it would ever be considered as a potential drug for minimizing intestinal inflammatory symptoms, its safety should be confirmed in extended in vitro and in vivo studies.

Cytotoxic Effects of Ferula Latisecta on Human Glioma U87 Cells

Drug Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 665-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Jalili-Nik ◽  
Hamed Sabri ◽  
Ehsan Zamiri ◽  
Mohammad Soukhtanloo ◽  
Mostafa Karimi Roshan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Gelatin Zymography ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Natural Herb ◽  
First Time ◽  
U87 Cells

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the fatal type of astrocytic tumors with a survival rate of 12 months. The present study, for the first time, evaluated the cytotoxic impacts of Ferula latisecta (F. latisecta) hydroalcoholic extract on U87 GBM cell line. The MTT assay measured the cellular toxicity following 24- and 48 h treatment with various doses of F. latisecta (0–800 μg/mL). Apoptosis was evaluated by an Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining 24 h after treatment by F. latisecta. Moreover, to determine the cellular metastasis of U87 cells, we used a gelatin zymography assay (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-2/-9 enzymatic activity). The outcomes showed that F. latisecta mitigated the viability of U87 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with IC50 values of 145.3 and 192.3 μg/mL obtained for 24- and 48 h treatments, respectively. F. latisecta induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner after 24 h. Also, MMP-9 activity was significantly decreased following 24 h after treatment concentration-dependently with no change in MMP-2 enzymatic activity. This study showed that F. latisecta induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and mitigated metastasis of U87 GBM cells. Hence, F. latisecta could be beneficial as a promising natural herb against GBM after further studies.

Oxygen modulates the differentiation of human fetal lung in vitro and its responsiveness to cAMP

1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (5) ◽  
pp. L465-L474 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Acarregui ◽  
J. M. Snyder ◽  
C. R. Mendelson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Atmospheric Oxygen ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Fetal Lung ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Fetal Lung

Previously, it was found that lung explants from mid-trimester human abortuses differentiate spontaneously in organ culture in serum-free defined medium in an atmosphere of 95% air-5% CO2. Dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) treatment of human fetal lung in culture increases the rate of morphological differentiation and enhances expression of the surfactant protein A (SP-A) gene. To begin to define the factors responsible for this accelerated in vitro differentiation, we analyzed the effects of atmospheric oxygen on the morphological and biochemical development of human fetal lung in culture and on responsiveness of the cultured tissue to DBcAMP. We found that when lung explants were maintained in an atmosphere containing 1% oxygen they failed to differentiate spontaneously and no induction of SP-A gene expression was apparent. Furthermore, at 1% oxygen, DBcAMP had no effect to stimulate morphological differentiation or SP-A gene expression. When lung tissues that had been maintained for 5 days in 1% oxygen were transferred to an environment containing 20% oxygen, there was rapid morphological development and induction of SP-A gene expression. The effects on morphological development were manifest within 24 h of transfer to the 20% oxygen environment; within 72 h, a marked stimulatory effect of DBcAMP on SP-A gene expression also was observed. Our findings further suggest that the effects of oxygen on the levels of SP-A and SP-A mRNA are concentration dependent. Interestingly, the inductive effects of DBcAMP on SP-A gene expression were apparent only at oxygen concentrations > or = 10%. Morphological differentiation of the cultured human fetal lung tissue also was influenced by oxygen in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest that oxygen plays an important permissive role in the spontaneous differentiation of human fetal lung in vitro.

scholarly journals Blastocystis ratti Contains Cysteine Proteases That Mediate Interleukin-8 Response from Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells in an NF-κB-Dependent Manner

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj K. Puthia ◽  
Jia Lu ◽  
Kevin S. W. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cysteine Proteases ◽  
Interleukin 8 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Blastocystis is a ubiquitous enteric protozoan found in the intestinal tracts of humans and a wide range of animals. Evidence accumulated over the last decade suggests association of Blastocystis with gastrointestinal disorders involving diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and fatigue. Clinical and experimental studies have associated Blastocystis with intestinal inflammation, and it has been shown that Blastocystis has potential to modulate the host immune response. Blastocystis is also reported to be an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed patients, especially those suffering from AIDS. However, nothing is known about the parasitic virulence factors and early events following host-parasite interactions. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which Blastocystis activates interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in human colonic epithelial T84 cells. We demonstrate for the first time that cysteine proteases of Blastocystis ratti WR1, a zoonotic isolate, can activate IL-8 gene expression in human colonic epithelial cells. Furthermore, we show that NF-κB activation is involved in the production of IL-8. In addition, our findings show that treatment with the antiprotozoal drug metronidazole can avert IL-8 production induced by B. ratti WR1. We also show for the first time that the central vacuole of Blastocystis may function as a reservoir for cysteine proteases. Our findings will contribute to an understanding of the pathobiology of a poorly studied parasite whose public health importance is increasingly recognized.

Small Molecule Constituents of Periplaneta americana and Their IL-6 Inhibitory Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X2110331
Author(s):  
Hua-Sheng Zhang ◽  
Yong-Ming Yan ◽  
Dai-Wei Wang ◽  
Qing Lv ◽  
Yong-Xian Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Periplaneta Americana ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Biological Evaluation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Inhibitory Activities ◽  
First Time

Two new glycosides, periplanosides A (1) and B (2), 3 compounds reported from a natural source for the first time (3 − 5), and 6 known compounds 6 − 11 were isolated from the ethanol extract of Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus). Their structures, including absolute configurations, were unambiguously identified by comprehensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 3 is a racemate whose enantiomers were purified by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography . The biological evaluation results showed that compound 7 (0 − 20 μM) did not affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells and could effectively inhibit the production of interleukin-6 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating the potential to develop novel agents against inflammation-related diseases.

Effect of Auraptene on angiogenesis in Xenograft model of breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Shiran ◽  
Elham Mahmoudian ◽  
Abolghasem Ajami ◽  
Seyed Mostafa Hosseini ◽  
Ayjamal Khojasteh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

Abstract Objectives Angiogenesis is the most important challenge in breast cancer treatment. Recently, scientists become interesting in rare natural products and intensive researches was performed to identify their pharmacological profile. Auraptene shows helpful effects such as cancer chemo-preventive, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, immuno-modulatory. In this regard, we investigated the anti-angiogenesis effect of Auraptene in in-vitro and in-vivo model of breast cancer. Methods In this study, 4T, MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cell lines were used. The proliferation study was done by MTT assay. For tube formation assay, 250 matrigel, 1 × 104 HUVEC treated with Auraptene, 20 ng/mL EGF, 20 ng/mL bFGF and 20 ng/mL VEGF were used. Gene expression of important gene related to angiogenesis in animal model of breast cancer was investigated by Real-time PCR. Protein expression of VCAM-1 and TNFR-1 gene related to angiogenesis in animal model of breast cancer was investigated by western-blot. Results Auraptene treatment led to reduction in cell viability of MDA-MB-231 in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, we observed change in the number of tubes or branches formed by cells incubated with 40 and 80 μM Auraptene. Auraptene effect the gene expression of important gene related to angiogenesis (VEGF, VEGFR2, COX2, IFNɣ). Moreover, the western blot data exhibited that Auraptene effect the protein expression of VCAM-1 and TNFR-1. Conclusions Overall, this study shows that Auraptene significantly suppressed angiogenesis via down-regulation of VEGF, VEGFR2, VCAM-1, TNFR-1, COX-2 and up-regulation of IFNγ.

An Alanine-Rich Peptide Attenuates Quorum Sensing-Regulated Virulence and Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 1228-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raid Al Akeel ◽  
Ayesha Mateen ◽  
Rabbani Syed
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Microarray Gene Expression ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

Abstract Background: Alanine-rich proteins/peptides (ARP), with bioactivity of up to 20 amino acid residues, can be observed by the body easily during gastrointestinal digestion. Objective: Populus trichocarpa extract’s capability to attenuate quorum sensing-regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus is described. Methods: PT13, an ARP obtained from P. trichocarpa, was tested for its activity against S. aureus using the broth microdilution test; a crystal-violet biofilm assay was performed under a scanning electron microscope. The production of various virulence factors was estimated with PT13 treatment. Microarray gene expression profiling of PT13-treated S. aureus was conducted and compared with an untreated control. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) was estimated to observe the PT13 inhibition activity. Results: PT13 was antimicrobial toward S. aureus at different concentrations and showed a similar growth rate in the presence and absence of PT13 at concentrations ≤8 μg/mL. Biofilm production was interrupted even at low concentrations, and biofilm-related genes were down-regulated when exposed to PT13. The genes encoding cell adhesion and bacterial attachment protein were the major genes suppressed by PT13. In addition, hemolysins, clumping activity, and EPS production of S. aureus decreased after treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: A long-chain PT13 with effective actions that, even at low concentration levels, not only regulated the gene expression in the producer organism but also blocked the virulence gene expression in this Gram-positive human pathogen is described. Highlights: We identified a PT13 as a potential antivirulence agent that regulated production of bacterial virulence determinants (e.g., toxins, enzymes and biofilm), downwards and it may be a promising anti-virulence agent to be further developed as an anti-infective agent.

scholarly journals Identification of Major α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Stem Bark of Panamanian Mangrove Plant Pelliciera rhizophorae

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1901400
Author(s):  
Lilia Cherigo ◽  
Sergio Martínez-Luis
Keyword(s):  
Stem Bark ◽  
Spectrometric Analysis ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mangrove Plant ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenes ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Glucosidase Inhibitors ◽  
Pelliciera Rhizophorae ◽  
First Time

In our continuous search for α-glucosidase inhibitors, three active pentacyclic triterpenes were isolated from stem bark samples of the Panamanian mangrove Pelliciera rhizophorae Triana & Planchon. These compounds were identified by both spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. Of the isolated compounds, only betulinic acid has been previously isolated from P. rhizophorae leaves while both betulin (IC50 2.09 μM) and lupeol (IC50 0.58 μM) were isolated from this plant for the first time. All three pentacyclic triterpenes inhibited the α-glucosidase enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner, and their inhibitory activity was higher than that of the antidiabetic drug acarbose (IC50 241.6 μM). Kinetic analysis established that betulin and lupeol acted as competitive inhibitors. Finally, docking analysis suggested that all three triterpenes bind at the same site as acarbose does in the human intestinal α-glucosidase (PDB: 3TOP). This work contributes further evidence similar to previous studies that point out that the aerial parts of P. rhizophorae might be potential agents in controlling hyperglycemia in diabetic persons.

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