scholarly journals Molecular genetic changes in kidney tissue in patients with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-51
Author(s):  
G. A. Demyashkin ◽  
A. M. Mingazov ◽  
E. A. Kaprina ◽  
V. I. Shchekin ◽  
P. V. Shegay
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
High Degree

Purpose of the study. Assessment of the molecular genetic profile of cytological processes in the kidney tissue of patients with COVID‑19.Material and methods. Kidney fragments from patients with confirmed COVID‑19 (n = 96) were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine the expression of SARS-CoV‑2 viral RNA and genes encoding protein complexes: ACE‑2 and Furin. Results. In patients affected by COVID‑19, the presence of coronavirus genetic material in kidney tissue was recorded, as well as increased expression of ACE‑2 (7.49 ± 0.27, p < 0.01) and Furin 2.0 times (8.59 ± 0.65, p < 0.01,) compared with the control group (3.9 ± 0.48, p < 0.01 and 4.2 ± 0.8, p < 0.01, respectively), which creates favorable conditions for the invasion of SARS-CoV‑2.Conclusion. According to the results of RT-PCR for SARS-CoV‑2, assessment of the expression of ACE‑2 and Furin, it is possible with a high degree of probability to assert about the viral load and the vulnerability of the kidneys, since these proteins are informative markers of viral damage. Elderly people with increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV‑2.

scholarly journals Differential Regulation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN Pathway between Low- and High-Grade Gliomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1655
Author(s):  
Alveiro Erira ◽  
Fernando Velandia ◽  
José Penagos ◽  
Camilo Zubieta ◽  
Gonzalo Arboleda
Keyword(s):  
Gene Amplification ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Central System ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Degree Of Malignancy ◽  
High Grade Gliomas ◽  
High Degree

Gliomas represent 70% of all central system nervous tumors and are classified according to the degree of malignancy as low- or high-grade. The permanent activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway by various genetic or post-translational alterations of EGFR, PI3KCA, and PTEN has been associated with increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. The present study aimed to analyze the molecular/genetic changes in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway between low-grade and high-grade gliomas in a sample of Colombian patients. A total of 30 samples were tested for PI3K and PTEN mutations, EGFR, PI3K, and AKT gene amplification, AKT, PI3K, BAX, Bcl2 expression levels, and phosphorylation of AKT and PTEN, EGFR and/or PI3K gene amplification was found in 50% of low-grade and 45% of high-grade ones. AKT amplification was found in 25% of the low-grade and 13.6% of the high-grade. The expression of PI3K, AKT, Bcl2, and BAX was increased particularly to a high degree. AKT phosphorylation was found in 66% of low-grade and 31.8% of high-grade. Increased phosphorylation of PTEN was found in 77% low-grade and 66% high-grade. Our results indicate that alterations in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway could be important in the initiation and malignant progression of this type of tumor.

scholarly journals Gene loss during the transition to multicellularity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berenice Jiménez-Marín ◽  
Jessica B. Rakijas ◽  
Antariksh Tyagi ◽  
Aakash Pandey ◽  
Erik R. Hanschen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Gene Loss ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Gene Gain ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
Volvocine Algae ◽  
Major Transition ◽  
Network States ◽  
High Degree

SummaryMulticellular evolution is a major transition associated with momentous diversification of multiple lineages and increased developmental complexity. The volvocine algae comprise a valuable system for the study of this transition, as they span from unicellular to undifferentiated and differentiated multicellular morphologies despite their genomes being highly similar, suggesting multicellular evolution requires few genetic changes to undergo dramatic shifts in developmental complexity. Here, the evolutionary dynamics of five volvocine genomes were examined, where a gradual loss of genes was observed in parallel to the co-option of a few key genes. Protein complexes in the five species exhibited a high degree of novel interactions, suggesting that gene loss promotes evolutionary novelty. This finding was supported by gene network modeling, where gene loss outpaces gene gain in generating novel stable network states. These results suggest developmental complexity may be driven by gene loss rather than gene gain.

Molecular genetics and the assessment of human cancers

1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Carlos Caldas ◽  
Paul D.P. Pharoah
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Care ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Clinical Staging ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Molecular Fingerprint ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Rigorous Evaluation ◽  
Human Cancers ◽  
Genetic Technologies

The past 20 years have seen rapid advances in the understanding of the biology of human cancers, and a large body of evidence now supports the idea that accumulated genetic changes underlie the development of neoplasia. In this article, we have reviewed the current research into the genetic bases of cancer and discussed the potential clinical applications of recent advances, with particular reference to the possibility of using molecular genetic tests for pre-symptomatic screening, clinical diagnosis and clinical staging. The possibility that the genetic profile of a tumour, its ‘molecular fingerprint’, will improve the ability of oncologists to predict tumour behaviour and thus help to determine optimum treatment has also been considered. Although the potential for the application of molecular genetic technologies is enormous, these technologies have yet to be subjected to rigorous evaluation in a clinical setting, and much work needs to be done before they are adopted for use in routine clinical care.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF DIET ENRICHED WITH PYROPHOSPHATE (E450) ON EXPRESSION OF GENES ENCODING BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN AND OSTEOCALCIN IN MOUSE EMBRYONIC MANDIBLE TISSUES

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47
Author(s):  
Inessa I. Yakubova ◽  
Victor E. Dosenko ◽  
Lesya V. Tumanovska ◽  
Volodymyr I. Ostrianko
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Molecular Genetic Study ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The Impact

The aim: Of our study was to measure the mRNA expression of the investigated odontogenesis factors in mandible tissue of mouse embryos (17th day of pregnancy) gestated by females, kept on a E450 rich diet since 30 days before fertilization to gestation. Materials and methods: The effect of food supplements was studied in «Overload phosphates model». Experiments were carried out on white nonlinear outbred mice with mass 25−28g (n=40). The females from the control group were fed with standard rodent food, whereas the experimental females were fed with pyrophosphate-enriched food. The materials, used for the molecular genetic study, were the lower jaws of 17-days old mouse embryos (E−17). Results: The investigated BMP2 and osteocalcin genes are expressed at approximately the same level. Pyrophosphate-rich diet does not alter BMP2 gene expression, but it significantly increases the expression of osteocalcin. Conclusions: The present study is the first one to describe the impact of the pyrophosphate-rich diet on mRNA expression of key osteogenesis regulators – osteocalcin and BMP2.

ANTICYTOKINE ACTIVITY OF THE PROTOZOA BLASTOCYSTIS SPP

2020 ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
Bugero N.V. ◽  
Ilyina N.A. ◽  
Aleksandrova S.M.
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Cytokine Balance ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Blastocystis Spp ◽  
High Level ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
High Degree

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.

PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE DYNAMIC DETERMINATION OF CIRCULATING TUMOR DNA ON PFS IN PATIENTS WITH EGFR MUTATED NSCLC, WITH OSIMERTINIB THERAPY

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Fedor Moiseenko ◽  
Mariya Stepanova ◽  
Nikita Volkov ◽  
Albina Zhabina ◽  
A. Myslik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Predictive Marker ◽  
Circulating Tumor Dna ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
T790m Mutation ◽  
Rare Mutations ◽  
Effect Of Therapy ◽  
Pcr Method

Aim: study of the predictive value of determining ctDNA during treatment with osimertinib in patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutation. Methods: The study included patients with metastatic EG-FR-associated NSCLC, in whom, with progression against the background of 1st - 2nd generation TKIs, the T790M mutation was detected. Patients received osimertinib therapy 80 mg/ day, daily, until progression. Before treatment, and then every 2 months, whole blood was taken to conduct a qualitative assessment of ctDNA in dynamics by the RT-PCR method. Results: From 2016 to 2019 in St. Petersburg Clinical Scientific and Practical Center of Specialized Types of Medical Care (Oncology), 22 patients were identified T790M associated progression of EGFR NSCLC. 81.9% (18/22) are women, 18.1% (4/22) are men. The average age is 61.2 years (50-75). 1/22 had smoking experience for more than 30 years. The molecular genetic profile in 16 is represented by ex19del, 5 L858R, 1 -a combination of rare mutations G719S+S768I. The effect of therapy was evaluated in 20/22 patients. PR and SD were registered in 9/20 (45%) and 10/20 (50%) patients, respectively. Median PFS - 16.7 months (cI 95%, 11,4-22,0). In 12/22 patients was observed the disappearance of ctDNA T790M after 2 months of osimertinib therapy. PFS is 18,9 months (95% CI, 14,8-19,7), in patients with no mutation detected in the second month of treatment compared with the group of patients in which the ctDNA was determined (PFS 8.0 months) (CI 95%, 4,2-11,8) (p=0.015). Correlation analysis did not reveal any clinical factors associated with the disappearance of ctDNA. Conclusions: The disappearance of ctDNA in plasma after 2 months of treatment with osimertinib is associated with an increase in PFS and can be considered as a predictive marker in patients with metastatic NSCLC EGFR T790M.

scholarly journals Protein complex formation in methionine chain-elongation and leucine biosynthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Qun Chen ◽  
Shweta Chhajed ◽  
Tong Zhang ◽  
Joseph M. Collins ◽  
Qiuying Pang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Complete Characterization ◽  
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation ◽  
Chain Elongation ◽  
Substrate Channeling ◽  
Leucine Biosynthesis ◽  
Protein Complex Formation ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase

AbstractDuring the past two decades, glucosinolate (GLS) metabolic pathways have been under extensive studies because of the importance of the specialized metabolites in plant defense against herbivores and pathogens. The studies have led to a nearly complete characterization of biosynthetic genes in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Before methionine incorporation into the core structure of aliphatic GLS, it undergoes chain-elongation through an iterative three-step process recruited from leucine biosynthesis. Although enzymes catalyzing each step of the reaction have been characterized, the regulatory mode is largely unknown. In this study, using three independent approaches, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H), coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC), we uncovered the presence of protein complexes consisting of isopropylmalate isomerase (IPMI) and isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH). In addition, simultaneous decreases in both IPMI and IPMDH activities in a leuc:ipmdh1 double mutants resulted in aggregated changes of GLS profiles compared to either leuc or ipmdh1 single mutants. Although the biological importance of the formation of IPMI and IPMDH protein complexes has not been documented in any organisms, these complexes may represent a new regulatory mechanism of substrate channeling in GLS and/or leucine biosynthesis. Since genes encoding the two enzymes are widely distributed in eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes, such complexes may have universal significance in the regulation of leucine biosynthesis.

A bigger brain for a more complex environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 803-816
Author(s):  
Umberto di Porzio
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Cultural Challenges ◽  
Birth Canal ◽  
Newborn Brain ◽  
Neuronal Interactions ◽  
The Brain

AbstractThe environment increased complexity required more neural functions to develop in the hominin brains, and the hominins adapted to the complexity by developing a bigger brain with a greater interconnection between its parts. Thus, complex environments drove the growth of the brain. In about two million years during hominin evolution, the brain increased three folds in size, one of the largest and most complex amongst mammals, relative to body size. The size increase has led to anatomical reorganization and complex neuronal interactions in a relatively small skull. At birth, the human brain is only about 20% of its adult size. That facilitates the passage through the birth canal. Therefore, the human brain, especially cortex, develops postnatally in a rich stimulating environment with continuous brain wiring and rewiring and insertion of billions of new neurons. One of the consequence is that in the newborn brain, neuroplasticity is always turned “on” and it remains active throughout life, which gave humans the ability to adapt to complex and often hostile environments, integrate external experiences, solve problems, elaborate abstract ideas and innovative technologies, store a lot of information. Besides, hominins acquired unique abilities as music, language, and intense social cooperation. Overwhelming ecological, social, and cultural challenges have made the human brain so unique. From these events, as well as the molecular genetic changes that took place in those million years, under the pressure of natural selection, derive the distinctive cognitive abilities that have led us to complex social organizations and made our species successful.

scholarly journals The Assessment of IL-21 and IL-22 at the mRNA Level in Tumor Tissue and Protein Concentration in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3058
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Mielczarek-Palacz ◽  
Celina Kruszniewska-Rajs ◽  
Marta Smycz-Kubańska ◽  
Jarosław Strzelczyk ◽  
Wojciech Szanecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Peritoneal Fluid ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
First Time ◽  
Ovarian Serous Cancer

The aim of the analysis was for the first time to assess the expression of genes encoding IL-21 and IL-22 at the mRNA level in ovarian tumor specimens and the concentration of these parameters in serum and peritoneal fluid in patients with ovarian serous cancer. The levels of IL-21 and IL-22 transcripts were evaluated with the use of the real-time RT-qPCR. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentration of proteins. Quantitative analysis of IL-21 gene mRNA in the tumor tissue showed the highest activity in the G1 degree of histopathological differentiation and was higher in G1 compared to the control group. The concentration of IL-21 and IL-22 in the serum and in the peritoneal fluid of women with ovarian cancer varied depending on the degree of histopathological differentiation of the cancer and showed statistical variability compared to controls. The conducted studies have shown that the local and systemic changes in the immune system involving IL-21 and IL-22 indicate the participation of these parameters in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, and modulation in the IL-21/IL-22 system may prove useful in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in patients, which require further research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document