scholarly journals Desulfovibrio gigas Flavodiiron Protein Affords Protection against Nitrosative Stress In Vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (8) ◽  
pp. 2745-2751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rute Rodrigues ◽  
João B. Vicente ◽  
Rute Félix ◽  
Solange Oliveira ◽  
Miguel Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mutant Strain ◽  
Nitrosative Stress ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Desulfovibrio Gigas ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

ABSTRACT Desulfovibrio gigas flavodiiron protein (FDP), rubredoxin:oxygen oxidoreductase (ROO), was proposed to be the terminal oxidase of a soluble electron transfer chain coupling NADH oxidation to oxygen reduction. However, several members from the FDP family, to which ROO belongs, revealed nitric oxide (NO) reductase activity. Therefore, the protection afforded by ROO against the cytotoxic effects of NO was here investigated. The NO and oxygen reductase activities of recombinant ROO in vitro were tested by amperometric methods, and the enzyme was shown to effectively reduce NO and O2. Functional complementation studies of an Escherichia coli mutant strain lacking the ROO homologue flavorubredoxin, an NO reductase, showed that ROO restores the anaerobic growth phenotype of cultures exposed to otherwise-toxic levels of exogenous NO. Additional studies in vivo using a D. gigas roo-deleted strain confirmed an increased sensitivity to NO of the mutant strain in comparison to the wild type. This effect is more pronounced when using the nitrosating agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), which effectively impairs the growth of the D. gigas Δroo strain. roo is constitutively expressed in D. gigas under all conditions tested. However, real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed a twofold induction of mRNA levels upon exposure to GSNO, suggesting regulation at the transcription level by NO. The newly proposed role of D. gigas ROO as an NO reductase combined with the O2 reductase activity reveals a versatility which appears to afford protection to D. gigas at the onset of both oxidative and nitrosative stresses.

scholarly journals Involvement of the C-Terminal Extension of the α Polypeptide and of the PucC Protein in LH2 Complex Biosynthesis in Rubrivivax gelatinosus

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (10) ◽  
pp. 3143-3152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Soisig Steunou ◽  
Soufian Ouchane ◽  
Françoise Reiss-Husson ◽  
Chantal Astier
Keyword(s):  
Purple Bacteria ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Rubrivivax Gelatinosus

ABSTRACT The facultative phototrophic nonsulfur bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus exhibits several differences from other species of purple bacteria in the organization of its photosynthetic genes. In particular, the puc operon contains only the pucB and pucA genes encoding the β and α polypeptides of the light-harvesting 2 (LH2) complex. Downstream of the pucBA operon is the pucC gene in the opposite transcriptional orientation. The transcription of pucBA and pucC has been studied. No pucC transcript was detected either by Northern blotting or by reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The initiation site of pucBA transcription was determined by primer extension, and Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of two transcripts of 0.8 and 0.65 kb. The half-lives of both transcripts are longer in cells grown semiaerobically than in photosynthetically grown cells, and the small transcript is the less stable. It was reported that the α polypeptide, encoded by the pucA gene, presents a C-terminal extension which is not essential for LH2 function in vitro. The biological role of this alanine- and proline-rich C-terminal extension in vivo has been investigated. Two mutants with C-terminal deletions of 13 and 18 residues have been constructed. Both present the two pucBA transcripts, while their phenotypes are, respectively, LH2+ and LH2−, suggesting that a minimal length of the C-terminal extension is required for LH2 biogenesis. Another important factor involved in the LH2 biogenesis is the PucC protein. To gain insight into the function of this protein in R. gelatinosus, we constructed and characterized a PucC mutant. The mutant is devoid of LH2 complex under semiaerobiosis but still produces a small amount of these antennae under photosynthetic growth conditions. This conditional phenotype suggests the involvement of another factor in LH2 biogenesis.

scholarly journals In Vivo Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Developmental Gene Expression Determined by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 3632-3639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice N. Gravelat ◽  
Thomas Doedt ◽  
Lisa Y. Chiang ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Scott G. Filler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Invasive Infection ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

ABSTRACT Very little is known about the developmental stages of Aspergillus fumigatus during invasive aspergillosis. We performed real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis on lung samples from mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis to determine the expression of A. fumigatus genes that are expressed at specific stages of development. In established infection, A. fumigatus exhibited mRNA expression of genes specific to developmentally competent hyphae, such as stuA. In contrast, mRNA of genes expressed by conidia and precompetent hyphae was not detected. Many genes required for mycotoxin synthesis, including aspHS, gliP, mitF, and metAP, are known to be expressed by developmentally competent hyphae in vitro. Interestingly, each of these genes was expressed at significantly higher levels during invasive infection than in vitro. The expression of gliP mRNA in vitro was found to be highly dependent on culture conditions. Furthermore, gliP expression was found to be dependent on the transcription factor StuA both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, developmentally competent hyphae predominate during established invasive infection, and many mycotoxin genes are expressed at high levels in vivo. These results highlight the importance of the evaluation of putative virulence factors expressed by competent hyphae and analysis of gene expression levels during invasive infection rather than in vitro alone.

Ontogeny of the expression and regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1 mRNAs by human trophoblast cells during differentiation in vitro

1995 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Stephanou ◽  
L Myatt ◽  
A L W Eis ◽  
N Sarlis ◽  
H Jikihara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cytokine Mrna ◽  
Human Trophoblast ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Cytotrophoblast Cells ◽  
Almost All

Abstract During human placental differentiation, mononuclear cytotrophoblast cells fuse and differentiate into syncytiotrophoblast cells. Although syncytiotrophoblast cells have been shown to express interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β and IL-6, the pattern of expression of these cytokines during placental differentiation is unknown. We have examined the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA during differentiation of cytotrophoblast cells in culture. IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis using glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase as an internal control. All three cytokine mRNA levels decreased markedly during trophoblast differentiation. After 6 days in culture, when almost all the cytotrophoblast cells had fused and differentiated into syncytiotrophoblast cells, the amounts of IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA were decreased by 87·1, 72·1 and 60·9% respectively. Exogenous IL-6 had differential effects on cytokine mRNA expression. When added to placental cultures during the first 6 days of culture, IL-6 markedly inhibited IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β mRNA expression. However, when added to the cells during days 6–9 of culture, when most of the cells were syncytiotrophoblast cells, IL-6 stimulated IL-lα and IL-1β mRNA expression. The results of these studies indicate that IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression decreases markedly during cytotrophoblast differentiation in vitro and that the regulation of trophoblast cytokine mRNA levels changes during differentiation. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 147, 487–496

scholarly journals Real-Time PCR and Immunocytochemical Study of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans after Scratch Wounding in Cultured Astrocytes / PCR I IMUNOCITOHEMIJSKA STUDIJA EKSPRESIJE HONDROITIN-SULFATNIH PROTEOGLIKANA NAKON POVREDE ASTROCITA U KULTURI

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 398-405
Author(s):  
Ana Parabucki ◽  
Anja Santrač ◽  
Danijela Savić ◽  
Sanja Dacić ◽  
Ivana Bjelobaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cultured Astrocytes ◽  
Scratch Wound

Summary Background: Various in vivo and in vitro models have been described in order to elucidate the pathobiology underlying the traumatic brain injury (TBI) and test potentially suitable treatments. Since TBI is a complex disease, models differ in regard to the aspect of TBI that is being investigated. One of the used in vitro models is the scratch wound assay, first established as a reproducible, low-cost assay for the analysis of cell migration in vitro. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the relevancy of this model as a counter- part of in vivo TBI models. Methods: We have examined the astrocytic response to a mechanical injury in terms of expression of chondroitin sul- fate proteoglycans (CSPGs) - phosphacan, neurocan and brevican, using real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Results: Our results indicate that in vitro scratch wounding alters the expression profile of examined CSPGs. Four hours after the scratch injury of the astrocytic monolayer, real-time PCR analysis revealed upregulation of mRNA levels for phos- phacan (3-fold) and neurocan (2-fold), whereas brevican mRNA was downregulated (2-fold). Immunofluorescent sig- nal for phosphacan and neurocan was more intense in astro- cytes close to the injury site, while brevican was scarcely present in cultured astrocytes. Conclusions: Obtained results indicate that CSPGs are differ- entially expressed by astrocytes after scratch wounding, demonstrating that the scratch wound model might be suit- able for investigation of astrocyte-derived response to injury.

scholarly journals The Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi tsx Gene, Encoding a Nucleoside-Specific Porin, Is Essential for Prototrophic Growth in the Absence of Nucleosides

2005 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 6210-6219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Bucarey ◽  
Nicolás A. Villagra ◽  
Mara P. Martinic ◽  
A. Nicole Trombert ◽  
Carlos A. Santiviago ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhi ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Mutant Derivative

ABSTRACT The Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi tsx gene encodes a porin that facilitates the import of nucleosides. When serovar Typhi is grown under anaerobic conditions, Tsx is among the outer membrane proteins whose expression increases dramatically. This increase in expression is due, at least in part, to increased transcription and is dependent on Fnr but not on ArcA. A mutant derivative of serovar Typhi strain STH2370 with a deletion of the tsx gene is an auxotroph that requires either adenosine or thymidine for growth on minimal medium. In contrast, an otherwise isogenic nupG nupC double mutant, defective in the inner membrane nucleoside permeases, is a prototroph. Because anaerobic growth enhances the virulence of serovar Typhi in vitro, we assessed the role that the tsx gene plays in pathogenicity and found that the serovar Typhi STH2370 Δtsx mutant is defective in survival within human macrophage-like U937 cells. To understand why the Δtsx mutant is an auxotroph, we selected for insertions of minitransposon T-POP in the Δtsx genetic background that restored prototrophy. One T-POP insertion that suppressed the Δtsx mutation in the presence of the inducer tetracycline was located upstream of the pyrD gene. The results of reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that addition of the inducer decreased the rate of pyrD transcription. These results suggest that the Tsx porin and the balance of products of the tsx and pyrD genes play critical roles in membrane assembly and integrity and thus in the virulence of serovar Typhi.

scholarly journals Microaerophilic Induction of the Alpha-Crystallin Chaperone Protein Homologue (hspX) mRNA ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (18) ◽  
pp. 5311-5316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy E. DesJardin ◽  
LaDonna G. Hayes ◽  
Charles D. Sohaskey ◽  
Lawrence G. Wayne ◽  
Kathleen D. Eisenach
Keyword(s):  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Tuberculosis Patients ◽  
Alpha Crystallin ◽  
Chaperone Protein ◽  
Culture Model ◽  
Stage 1

ABSTRACT Among the products that are expressed when Mycobacterium tuberculosis undergoes hypoxic shiftdown to nonreplicating persistence (NRP) is the alpha-crystallin chaperone protein homologue (Acr). This expression coincides with the previously reported appearance of a respiratory type of nitrate reductase activity, the increase in glycine dehydrogenase activity, and the production of a unique antigen, URB-1. In a timed sampling study, using a slowly stirred oxygen depletion culture model, we have demonstrated that the hspX mRNA that codes for Acr protein as well as the protein itself is induced just as the bacilli enter the microaerophilic NRP stage 1 (NRP-1). In contrast to the induction observed for hspX mRNA, levels of 16S rRNA,fbpB mRNA (encoding the 85B alpha antigen), andaroB mRNA (encoding dehydroquinate synthase) demonstrate relatively small to no change upon entering NRP-1. Acr protein was shown to be identical to URB-1 by Western analysis with anti-URB-1 antibody. The fact that antibody to Acr is found in a high percentage of tuberculosis patients suggests that the hypoxic shiftdown of tubercle bacilli to the NRP state that occurs in vitro, resulting in production of the alpha-crystallin protein, occurs in vivo as well. Simultaneous abrupt increases in hspX mRNA and Acr protein suggest that Acr protein expression is controlled at the level of transcription.

Pan-Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor LBH589 Depletes CXCR4 Levels and Signaling, Exerting Synergistic Anti-Leukemia Activity in Combination with CXCR4 Antagonists.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 537-537
Author(s):  
Aditya Mandawat ◽  
Warren Fiskus ◽  
Andrea Jakubowski ◽  
Rekha Rao ◽  
Zixuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Leukemia ◽  
Hdac Inhibitor ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cxcr4 Antagonist ◽  
Acute Leukemias

Abstract The trafficking and mobilization of normal hematopoietic progenitors and their leukemic counterparts is programmed in part by chemotactic gradients of CXCL12, which are transduced by CXCR4. This mechanism also results in decreased sensitivity to pro-apoptotic and anti-leukemic agents, mediated through CXCR4 activation of Akt and Raf phosphorylation and/or harboring in a microenvironmental niche. Both CXCL12 and CXCR4 are overexpressed in AML and expression of CXCR4 has been associated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, inhibition of CXCR4 with AMD3100 enhanced the sensitivity of leukemic myeloblasts to anti-leukemic agents. We therefore explored therapeutic mechanisms to decrease CXCR4 expression and tested them in combination with AMD3100 as well as a new generation CXCR4 inverse agonist, FC131. Exposure to 10 to 50 nM of the pan-HDAC inhibitor LBH589 (Novartis) depleted mRNA and protein levels of CXCR4 in the cultured human acute leukemia OCI-AML3, HL-60 and Jurkat cells, as well as in primary AML cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. LBH589 depleted CXCR4 levels in the presence or absence of 10 nM of CXCL12 in the culture medium. LBH589 mediated depletion of CXCR4 levels was partly due to decreased CXCR4 mRNA levels (by RT-PCR analysis). LBH589 induced acetylation of heat shock protein (hsp) 90 and attenuated the binding of CXCR4 to hsp90 with subsequent degradation of CXCR4 by the proteasome. LBH589 treatment also increased hsp70 levels and acetylation, as well as its binding to CXCR4, which also resulted in increased extra-cellular, cell surface co-localization of CXCR4 and hsp70. This was markedly inhibited by siRNA-mediated knockdown of hsp70 in HL-60 cells. While exposure of cultured and primary AML cells to CXCL12 markedly increased cytosolic levels of p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, co-treatment with LBH589 markedly attenuated the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2 induced by CXCL12, resulting in apoptosis of up to 50% of cultured and primary AML cells. Treatment with AMD3100 (10 uM for 24 hours) alone decreased levels of CXCR4, p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, without significantly increasing apoptosis of AML cells. Notably, co-treatment with LBH589 and AMD3100 caused greater depletion of CXCR4, p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 levels, and exerted synergistic apoptotic effects against AML cells with combination indices of < 1.0 utilizing isobologram and median effect analyses. Co-treatment with LBH589 and FC131 (10 nM for 24 hours), which is a more potent CXCR4 antagonist than AMD3100, also induced synergistic apoptosis of cultured and primary AML cells. Taken together, these findings provide direct evidence that CXCR4 is a novel target depleted by LBH589 in AML cells. Furthermore, our in vitro findings highlight the novel combination of LBH589 and a CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100 or FC131, exerts a synergistic effect on acute leukemia cells. These findings strongly support the in vivo testing of this synergistic combination in the therapy of human acute leukemias that express CXCR4.

Nanocurcumin: A Double-Edged Sword for Microcancers

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (45) ◽  
pp. 5783-5792
Author(s):  
Kholood Abid Janjua ◽  
Adeeb Shehzad ◽  
Raheem Shahzad ◽  
Salman Ul Islam ◽  
Mazhar Ul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Dosage Forms ◽  
The Body ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Anticancer Effects

There is compelling evidence that drug molecules isolated from natural sources are hindered by low systemic bioavailability, poor absorption, and rapid elimination from the human body. Novel approaches are urgently needed that could enhance the retention time as well as the efficacy of natural products in the body. Among the various adopted approaches to meet this ever-increasing demand, nanoformulations show the most fascinating way of improving the bioavailability of dietary phytochemicals through modifying their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Curcumin, a yellowish pigment isolated from dried ground rhizomes of turmeric, exhibits tremendous pharmacological effects, including anticancer activities. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that curcumin mediates anticancer effects through the modulation (upregulation and/or downregulations) of several intracellular signaling pathways both at protein and mRNA levels. Scientists have introduced multiple modern techniques and novel dosage forms for enhancing the delivery, bioavailability, and efficacy of curcumin in the treatment of various malignancies. These novel dosage forms include nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, phospholipids, and curcumin-encapsulated polymer nanoparticles. Nanocurcumin has shown improved anticancer effects compared to conventional curcumin formulations. This review discusses the underlying molecular mechanism of various nanoformulations of curcumin for the treatment of different cancers. We hope that this study will make a road map for preclinical and clinical investigations of cancer and recommend nano curcumin as a drug of choice for cancer therapy.

Healing effects of curcumin nanoparticles in deep tissue injury mouse model.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zirui Zhang ◽  
Shangcong Han ◽  
Panpan Liu ◽  
Xu Yang ◽  
Jing Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Deep Tissue ◽  
Deep Tissue Injury

Background: Chronic inflammation and lack of angiogenesis are the important pathological mechanisms in deep tissue injury (DTI). Curcumin is a well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. However, curcumin is unstable under acidic and alkaline conditions, and can be rapidly metabolized and excreted in the bile, which shortens its bioactivity and efficacy. Objective: This study aimed to prepare curcumin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (CPNPs) and to elucidate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of wound healing in DTI models. Methods: CPNPs were evaluated for particle size, biocompatibility, in vitro drug release and their effect on in vivo wound healing. Results : The results of in vivo wound closure analysis revealed that CPNP treatments significantly improved wound contraction rates (p<0.01) at a faster rate than other three treatment groups. H&E staining revealed that CPNP treatments resulted in complete epithelialization and thick granulation tissue formation, whereas control groups resulted in a lack of compact epithelialization and persistence of inflammatory cells within the wound sites. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that treatment with CPNPs suppressed IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression, and up-regulated TGF-β, VEGF-A and IL-10 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis showed up-regulated protein expression of TGF-β, VEGF-A and phosphorylatedSTAT3. Conclusion: Our results showed that CPNPs enhanced wound healing in DTI models, through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway and subsequent upregulation of pro-healing factors.

scholarly journals Functional identification of ygiP as a positive regulator of the ttdA-ttdB-ygjE operon

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 2129-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taku Oshima ◽  
Francis Biville
Keyword(s):  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Anaerobic Growth ◽  
Functional Identification ◽  
New Members ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein ◽  
Tartrate Dehydratase

Functional characterization of unknown genes is currently a major task in biology. The search for gene function involves a combination of various in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. Available knowledge from the study of more than 21 LysR-type regulators in Escherichia coli has facilitated the classification of new members of the family. From sequence similarities and its location on the E. coli chromosome, it is suggested that ygiP encodes a lysR regulator controlling the expression of a neighbouring operon; this operon encodes the two subunits of tartrate dehydratase (TtdA, TtdB) and YgiE, an integral inner-membrane protein possibly involved in tartrate uptake. Expression of tartrate dehydratase, which converts tartrate to oxaloacetate, is required for anaerobic growth on glycerol as carbon source in the presence of tartrate. Here, it has been demonstrated that disruption of ygiP, ttdA or ygjE abolishes tartrate-dependent anaerobic growth on glycerol. It has also been shown that tartrate-dependent induction of the ttdA-ttdB-ygjE operon requires a functional YgiP.

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