Production and Preliminary In Vivo Evaluations of a Novel in silico-designed L2-based Potential HPV Vaccine

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-324
Author(s):  
Manica Negahdaripour ◽  
Navid Nezafat ◽  
Reza Heidari ◽  
Nasrollah Erfani ◽  
Nasim Hajighahramani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Tlr Agonists ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Metal Affinity ◽  
Th1 And Th2 Cytokines ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Humoral Responses ◽  
Future Work

Background: L2-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) prophylactic vaccines, containing epitopes from HPV minor capsid proteins, are under investigation as second-generation HPV vaccines. No such vaccine has passed clinical trials yet, mainly due to the low immunogenicity of peptide vaccines; so efforts are being continued. A candidate vaccine composed of two HPV16 L2 epitopes, flagellin and a Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 4 agonist (RS09) as adjuvants, and two universal T-helper epitopes was designed in silico in our previous researches. Methods: The designed vaccine construct was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purified through metal affinity chromatography. Following mice vaccination, blood samples underwent ELISA and flow cytometry analyses for the detection of IgG and seven Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Results: Following immunization, Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) type cytokines, as well as IgG, were induced significantly compared with the PBS group. Significant increases in IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-5 levels were observed in the vaccinated group versus Freund’s adjuvant group. Conclusion: The obtained cytokine induction profile implied both cellular and humoral responses, with a more Th-1 favored trend. However, an analysis of specific antibodies against L2 is required to confirm humoral responses. No significant elevation in inflammatory cytokines, (IL-6 and TNF-α), suggested a lack of unwanted inflammatory side effects despite using a combination of two TLR agonists. The designed construct might be capable of inducing adaptive and innate immunity; nevertheless, comprehensive immune tests were not conducted at this stage and will be a matter of future work.

Προβιοτικές και τεχνολογικές ιδιότητες οξυγαλακτικών βακτηρίων. In vitro και in vivo επίδραση στο ελικοβακτήριο του πυλωρού

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Πέτρος-Αχιλλέας Μαραγκουδάκης
Keyword(s):  
E Coli ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ

Σκοπός: Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν η εξέταση του προβιοτικού δυναμικού στελεχών οξυγαλακτικών βακτηρίων μέσω μίας σειράς in vitro δοκιμών, και της μετέπειτα εφαρμογής επιλεγμένων στελεχών σε in vivo μοντέλα ποντικών έναντι της λοίμωξης του Η. pylori και της ελκώδους κολίτιδας, αλλά και σε τεχνολογικό επίπεδο στην παρασκευή γιαουρτιού.Υλικά και μέθοδοι: Στη διατριβή αυτή μελετήθηκαν 51 στελέχη Lactobacillus του Εργαστηρίου Γαλακτοκομίας του Γεωπονικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, απομονωμένα κυρίως από γαλακτοκομικά προϊόντα και κόπρανα προβάτων, καθώς και 22 στελέχη Enterococcus και Streptococcus, απομονωμένα από κόπρανα προβάτων. Τα στελέχη αυτά εξετάστηκαν σε μία σειρά in vitro δοκιμών που αφορούν την επιβίωσή τους σε συνθήκες εξομοίωσης του ανθρώπινου γαστρεντερικού συστήματος, οι οποίες περιελάμβαναν επιβίωση σε χαμηλό pH, επιβίωση παρουσία των πρωτεολυτικών ενζύμων πεψίνη και παγκρεατίνη, και επιβίωση παρουσία χολικών αλάτων.Στην συνέχεια τα στελέχη εξετάστηκαν σε δοκιμές βασικές για την ασφάλεια χρήσης τους στον ανθρώπινο οργανισμό. "Ολα τα στελέχη δοκιμάστηκαν ως προς την αιμολυτική τους δραστικότητα, και τα στελέχη γαλακτοβακίλλων συγκεκριμένα για την ανθεκτικότητά τους έναντι επιλεγμένων αντιβιοτικών.Παράλληλα, εξετάστηκαν in vitro βασικές ιδιότητες που θεωρούνται επιθυμητές για τα προβιοτικά στελέχη, όπως υδρόλυση των χολικών αλάτων, μελέτη της υδροφοβίας και της ικανότητας πρόσδεσης των γαλακτοβακίλλων σε κύτταρα Caco-2, ικανότητά διέγερσης κυττάρων του ανθρώπινου οργανισμού (PBMCs), καθώς και μελέτη της αντιμικροβιακής δράσης έναντι παθογόνων βακτηρίων και της δυνατότητάς αναστολής της πρόσδεσης παθογόνων σε κύτταρα Caco-2.Στην συνέχεια πραγματοποιήθηκαν in vivo μελέτες σε ποντίκια, για την εξακρίβωση του προβιοτικού χαρακτήρα επιλεγμένων στελεχών. Τα στελέχη L. casei Shirota ACA-DC 6002 και L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 χορηγήθηκαν σε ποντίκια επιμολυσμένα με Η. pylori και αξιολογήθηκε η επίδραση των γαλακτοβακίλλων αυτών στον αποικισμό του παθογόνου και στην αξιολόγηση του βαθμού και της δραστικότητας στο στομάχι. Επίσης, τα στελέχη αυτά χρησιμοποιήθηκαν και για την πρόληψη TNBS- κολίτιδας σε ποντίκια.Τέλος, επιλεγμένα στελέχη γαλακτοβακίλλων αξιολογήθηκαν για την τεχνολογική τους εφαρμογή, μελετώντας την ικανότητά οξίνϊσης του γάλακτος και τη χρήση τους ως καλλιέργειες για την παρασκευή γιαούρτηςΑποτελέσματα: Ορισμένα στελέχη βρέθηκαν να έχουν ικανοποιητική επιβίωση σε συνθήκες εξομοίωσης του ανθρώπινου πεπτικού συστήματος. Κανένα στέλεχος δεν βρέθηκε να έχει ισχυρή (β-) αιμολυτική δράση, ενώ η αντοχή των γαλακτοβακίλλων έναντι επιλεγμένων αντιβιοτικών δεν παρουσιάστηκε διαφορετική από την έμφυτη και αναμενόμενη, ανάλογα το είδος των εξεταζόμενων γαλακτοβακίλλων, ενώ αρκετά στελέχη παρουσίασαν ικανότητα υδρόλυσης χολικών αλάτων. Τα στελέχη παρουσίασαν ποικιλόμορφη πρόσδεση στους οργανικούς διαλύτες, αλλά γενικά τα περισσότερα στελέχη δεν παρουσίασαν μεγάλη υδροφοβία, ενώ αρκετά στελέχη γαλακτοβακίλλων παρουσίασαν ικανοποιητική πρόσδεση σε κύτταρα Caco-2 (>5%), με το στέλεχος L. plantarum ACA-DC 146 (25% πρόσδεση) να ξεχωρίζει. Το ίδιο στέλεχος, μαζί με το L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 βρέθηκαν να προκαλούν την έκκριση υψηλών επιπέδων φλεγμονωδών κυτταροκινών (IL-12, TNF-α και IFN-γ) από PBMCs, ενώ αντίθετα το στέλεχος L. casei Shirota ACA-DC 6002 προκάλεσε την έκκριση της αντιφλεγμονώδους κυτταροκίνης IL-10. Παρόλο που κανένα από τα υπερκείμενα των στελεχών δεν παρεμπόδισε τα στελέχη E. coli, S. typhimurium και Η. pylori, ορισμένα στελέχη, όπως τα L. casei Shirota, L. plantarum ACA-DC 146 και L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 προκάλεσαν την αναστολή της πρόσδεσης εντερικών παθογόνων (E. coli και S. typhimurium) σε κύτταρα Caco-2 σε επίπεδα μέχρι και 50%.In vivo, η χορήγηση του L. casei Shirota ACA-DC 6002 σε ποντίκια οδήγησε στην μείωση του βαθμού και της δραστικότητας της γαστρίτιδας αλλά και στον αποικισμό του Η. pylori. Παρόμοια αποτελέσματα, αλλά σε μικρότερη έκταση, παρατηρήθηκαν με την χορήγηση του στελέχους L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037. Παράλληλα, το στέλεχος L. casei Shirota ACA-DC 6002 δείχνει να παρέχει προστασία σε ποντίκια κατά την πρόκληση ελκώδους κολίτιδας με την χορήγηση TNBS.Σε τεχνολογικό επίπεδο, κανένα από τα εξεταζόμενα στελέχη δεν παρουσίασε υψηλή ικανότητα οξύνισης στο γάλα και κατά συνέπεια δεν ήταν δυνατόν να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως εναρκτήριες καλλιέργειες για την παρασκευή γιαούρτης. Από την άλλη, καθώς κανένα στέλεχος δεν παρεμποδίζει αλλά και δεν παρεμποδίζεται από τις παραδοσιακές εναρκτήριες καλλιέργειες γιαούρτης, ήταν δυνατή η χρήση τους ως συμπληρωματικές καλλιέργειας για την παρασκευή γιαούρτης. Στην συνέχεια επιλεγμένα στελέχη χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για το σκοπό αυτό και το στέλεχος L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA- DC 4037 ξεχώρισε όταν χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως συμπληρωματική καλλιέργεια για την παρασκευή γιαούρτης με εμβόλιο πηγμένου γάλακτος (1% ν/ν) στους 42°C, λόγω της υψηλής μικροβιακής, φυσικοχημικής και οργανοληπτικής ποιότητας του προϊόντος. Συμπεράσματα: Τα στελέχη L. casei Shirota ACA-DC 6002, L. plantarum ACA-DC 146 και L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037, επέδειξαν υποσχόμενο προβιοτικό δυναμικό κατά την διάρκεια εκτεταμένων in vitro και in vivo δοκιμών. Η μελέτη αυτή επιβεβαιώνει τις προβιοτικές ιδιότητες του L. casei Shirota και επιδεικνύει την πιθανή εφαρμογής του στη λοίμωξη του Η. pylori και στην ελκώδη κολίτιδα στον άνθρωπο. Επιπλέον, το στέλεχος L paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 διαθέτει επίσης δυναμικό χρήσης έναντι του Η. pylori αλλά και στην παρασκευή ενός επιτυχημένου προβιοτικού γιαουρτιού. Τέλος, το στέλεχος L. plantarum ACA-DC 146 μπορεί να εξεταστεί in vivo σε μοντέλα αλλεργικών αντιδράσεων, λόγω της υψηλής αντιφλεγμονώδους επίδρασής τους σε ανθρώπινα περιφερειακά μονοπύρηνα (PBMCs.)

scholarly journals Boosting toxic protein expression: transient in vivo inactivation of engineered bacterial alkaline phosphatase

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Krawczun ◽  
Marta Bielawa ◽  
Kasjan Szemiako ◽  
Beata Lubkowska ◽  
Ireneusz Sobolewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Sulfhydryl Group ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Metal Affinity ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Key Enzyme

Abstract Background:The biotechnology production of enzymes is often troubled by the toxicity of the recombinant products of cloned and expressed genes, which interferes with the recombinant hosts’ metabolism. Various approaches have been taken to overcome these limitations, exemplified by tight control of recombinant genes or secretion of recombinant proteins. An industrial approach to protein production demands maximum possible yields of biosynthesized proteins, balanced with the recombinant host’s viability. Bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) from Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) is a key enzyme used in protein/antibody detection and molecular cloning. As it removes terminal phosphate from DNA, RNA and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, it is used to lower self-ligated vectors’ background. The precursor enzyme contains a signal peptide at the N-terminus and is secreted to the E. coli periplasm. Then, the leader is clipped off and dimers are formed upon oxidation.Results: We present a novel approach to phoA gene cloning, engineering, expression, purification and reactivation of the transiently inactivated enzyme. The recombinant bap gene was modified by replacing a secretion leader coding section with a N-terminal his6-tag, cloned and expressed in E. coli in a P BAD promoter expression vector. The expression was robust, resulting in accumulation of His6-BAP in the cytoplasm, exceeding 50% of total cellular proteins. The His6-BAP protein was harmless to the cells, as its natural toxicity was inhibited by the reducing environment within the E. coli cytoplasm, preventing formation of the active enzyme. A simple protocol based on precipitation and immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) purification yielded homogeneous protein, which was reactivated by dialysis into a redox buffer containing reduced and oxidized sulfhydryl group compounds, as well as the protein structure stabilizing cofactors Zn 2+ , Mg 2+ and phosphate. The reconstituted His6-BAP exhibited high activity and was used to develop an efficient protocol for all types of DNA termini, including problematic ones (blunt, 3’-protruding).Conclusions: The developed method appears well suited for the industrial production of ultrapure BAP. Further, the method of transient inactivation of secreted toxic enzymes by conducting their biosynthesis in an inactive state in the cytoplasm, followed by in vitro reactivation, can be generally applied to other problematic proteins.

scholarly journals Boosting toxic protein expressionbiosynthesis: transient in vivo inactivation of engineered bacterial alkaline phosphatase

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Krawczun ◽  
Marta Bielawa ◽  
Kasjan Szemiako ◽  
Beata Lubkowska ◽  
Ireneusz Sobolewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Sulfhydryl Group ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Bacterial Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Metal Affinity ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Key Enzyme

Abstract Background The biotechnology production of enzymes is often troubled by the toxicity of the recombinant products of cloned and expressed genes, which interferes with the recombinant hosts’ metabolism. Various approaches have been taken to overcome these limitations, exemplified by tight control of recombinant genes or secretion of recombinant proteins. An industrial approach to protein production demands maximum possible yields of biosynthesized proteins, balanced with the recombinant host’s viability. Bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) from Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a key enzyme used in protein/antibody detection and molecular cloning. As it removes terminal phosphate from DNA, RNA and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, it is used to lower self-ligated vectors’ background. The precursor enzyme contains a signal peptide at the N-terminus and is secreted to the E. coli periplasm. Then, the leader is clipped off and dimers are formed upon oxidation.Results We present a novel approach to phoA gene cloning, engineering, expression, purification and reactivation of the transiently inactivated enzyme. The recombinant bap gene was modified by replacing a secretion leader coding section with a N-terminal his6-tag, cloned and expressed in E. coli in a PBAD promoter expression vector. The gene expression was robust, resulting in accumulation of His6-BAP in the cytoplasm, exceeding 50% of total cellular proteins. The His6-BAP protein was harmless to the cells, as its natural toxicity was inhibited by the reducing environment within the E. coli cytoplasm, preventing formation of the active enzyme. A simple protocol based on precipitation and immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) purification yielded homogeneous protein, which was reactivated by dialysis into a redox buffer containing reduced and oxidized sulfhydryl group compounds, as well as the protein structure stabilizing cofactors Zn2+, Mg2+ and phosphate. The reconstituted His6-BAP exhibited high activity and was used to develop an efficient protocol for all types of DNA termini, including problematic ones (blunt, 3’-protruding).Conclusions The developed method appears well suited for the industrial production of ultrapure BAP. Further, the method of transient inactivation of secreted toxic enzymes by conducting their biosynthesis in an inactive state in the cytoplasm, followed by in vitro reactivation, can be generally applied to other problematic proteins.

scholarly journals Cranberry-Derived Proanthocyanidins Potentiate β-Lactam Antibiotics Against Resistant Bacteria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Gallique ◽  
Kuan Wei ◽  
Vimal B. Maisuria ◽  
Mira Okshevsky ◽  
Geoffrey McKay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
E Coli ◽  
New Generation ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Emergence Of Resistance

The emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) or variant low affinity penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) pose a major threat to our ability to treat bacterial infection using β-lactam antibiotics. Although combinations of β-lactamase inhibitors with β-lactam agents have been clinically successful, there are no MBL inhibitors in current therapeutic use. Furthermore, recent clinical use of new generation cephalosporins targeting PBP2a, an altered PBP, has led to the emergence of resistance to these antimicrobial agents. Previous work shows that natural polyphenols such as cranberry-extracted proanthocyanidins (cPAC) can potentiate non-β-lactam antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria. This study extends beyond previous work by investigating the in vitro effect of cPAC in overcoming ESBL-, MBL- and PBP2a-mediated β-lactam resistance. The results show that cPAC exhibit variable potentiation of different β-lactams against β-lactam resistant Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates as well as ESBL- and MBL-producing E. coli. We also discovered that cPAC have broad-spectrum inhibitory properties in vitro on the activity of different classes of β-lactamases, including CTX-M3 ESBL and IMP-1 MBL. Furthermore, we observe that cPAC selectively potentiate oxacillin and carbenicillin against methicillin-resistant but not methicillin-sensitive Staphylococci, suggesting that cPAC also interfere with PBP2a-mediated resistance. This study motivates the need for future work to identify the most bioactive compounds in cPAC and to evaluate their antibiotic potentiating efficacy in vivo. IMPORTANCE Emergence of β-lactam resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococci compromised the efficiency of β-lactams-based therapy. By acquisition of ESBLs, MBLs or PBPs, it is highly likely that bacteria become completely resistant to the most efficient β-lactam agents in the near future. In this study, we described a natural extract rich in proanthocyanidins which exerts adjuvant properties by interfering with two different resistance mechanisms. By their broad-spectrum inhibitory ability, cranberry-extracted proanthocyanidins could have the potential to enhance effectiveness of existing β-lactam agents.

In silico and in vivo stability analysis of a heterologous biosynthetic pathway for 1,4-butanediol production in metabolically engineered E. coli

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 1874-1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ildikó Miklóssy ◽  
Zsolt Bodor ◽  
Réka Sinkler ◽  
Kálmán Csongor Orbán ◽  
Szabolcs Lányi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
E Coli

scholarly journals Nicotinamide inhibits melanoma in vitro and in vivo

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Scatozza ◽  
Federica Moschella ◽  
Daniela D’Arcangelo ◽  
Stefania Rossi ◽  
Claudio Tabolacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Melanoma Cell ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Human Melanoma ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background Even though new therapies are available against melanoma, novel approaches are needed to overcome resistance and high-toxicity issues. In the present study the anti-melanoma activity of Nicotinamide (NAM), the amide form of Niacin, was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Methods Human (A375, SK-MEL-28) and mouse (B16-F10) melanoma cell lines were used for in vitro investigations. Viability, cell-death, cell-cycle distribution, apoptosis, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide+ (NAD+), Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels were measured after NAM treatment. NAM anti-SIRT2 activity was tested in vitro; SIRT2 expression level was investigated by in silico transcriptomic analyses. Melanoma growth in vivo was measured in thirty-five C57BL/6 mice injected subcutaneously with B16-F10 melanoma cells and treated intraperitoneally with NAM. Interferon (IFN)-γ-secreting murine cells were counted with ELISPOT assay. Cytokine/chemokine plasmatic levels were measured by xMAP technology. Niacin receptors expression in human melanoma samples was also investigated by in silico transcriptomic analyses. Results NAM reduced up to 90% melanoma cell number and induced: i) accumulation in G1-phase (40% increase), ii) reduction in S- and G2-phase (about 50% decrease), iii) a 10-fold increase of cell-death and 2.5-fold increase of apoptosis in sub-G1 phase, iv) a significant increase of NAD+, ATP, and ROS levels, v) a strong inhibition of SIRT2 activity in vitro. NAM significantly delayed tumor growth in vivo (p ≤ 0.0005) and improved survival of melanoma-bearing mice (p ≤ 0.0001). About 3-fold increase (p ≤ 0.05) of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) producing cells was observed in NAM treated mice. The plasmatic expression levels of 6 cytokines (namely: Interleukin 5 (IL-5), Eotaxin, Interleukin 12 (p40) (IL12(p40)), Interleukin 3 (IL-3), Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Regulated on Activation Normal T Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) were significantly changed in the blood of NAM treated mice, suggesting a key role of the immune response. The observed inhibitory effect of NAM on SIRT2 enzymatic activity confirmed previous evidence; we show here that SIRT2 expression is significantly increased in melanoma and inversely related to melanoma-patients survival. Finally, we show for the first time that the expression levels of Niacin receptors HCAR2 and HCAR3 is almost abolished in human melanoma samples. Conclusion NAM shows a relevant anti-melanoma activity in vitro and in vivo and is a suitable candidate for further clinical investigations.

scholarly journals In vivo Feedback Control of an Antithetic Molecular-Titration Motif in Escherichia coli using Microfluidics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Shannon ◽  
C.G. Zamora-Chimal ◽  
L. Postiglione ◽  
D. Salzano ◽  
C. Grierson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Control ◽  
Real Time ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Reference Signal ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Control Schemes ◽  
Feedback Control Strategy ◽  
Error Computation ◽  
Molecular Titration

SummaryWe study both in silico and in vivo the real-time feedback control of a molecular titration motif that has been earmarked as a fundamental component of antithetic and multicellular feedback control schemes in E. coli. We show that an external feedback control strategy can successfully regulate the average fluorescence output of a bacterial cell population to a desired constant level in real-time. We also provide in silico evidence that the same strategy can be used to track a time-varying reference signal where the set-point is switched to a different value halfway through the experiment. We use the experimental data to refine and parameterize an in silico model of the motif that can be used as an error computation module in future embedded or multicellular control experiments.

scholarly journals Immunoinformatics Analysis and In-silico Design of Multi- Epitopes Vaccine Against Lassa Virus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinyemi Ademola Omoniyi ◽  
Samuel Sunday Adebisi ◽  
Sunday Abraham Musa ◽  
James Oliver Nzalak ◽  
Barnabas Danborno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
African Countries ◽  
E Coli ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Chimeric Vaccine

Abstract Lassa virus, an arenavirus, represents the most prevalent human pathogen causing viral haemorrhagic fever. It is endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries. Despite the high burden of the disease, limited treatments are available and no approved vaccine for the prevention of this disease is available. In this study, an immunoinformatics approach was used to predict response of B and T cells from the Lassa virus proteome (GPC, NP, L and Z). The designed chimeric vaccine was modeled, refined, validated and docked with the RIG-I receptor. The docked complex of vaccine-RIG-I was subjected to dynamic stability test and the results suggest that the complex is stable. Validation of the final vaccine construct was done through in silico cloning using E. coli as host. A CAI value of 0.99 suggests that the vaccine construct expressed properly in the host. Immune simulation predicted significantly high levels of IgG1, T-helper, T-cytotoxic cells, INF-γ and IL-2. This theoretical study suggests infection control by creating an effective immunological memory against Lassa virus infections. However, both in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to validate the immunogenicity and safety of the chimeric vaccine.

scholarly journals Synthesis of Ferulenol by Engineered Escherichia coli: Structural Elucidation by Using the In Silico Tools

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6264
Author(s):  
Anuwatchakij Klamrak ◽  
Jaran Nabnueangsap ◽  
Ploenthip Puthongking ◽  
Natsajee Nualkaew
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Molecular Formula ◽  
Bioactive Substances ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Isomeric Structure ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Derivatives Of ◽  
In Silico Tools

4-Hydroxycoumarin (4HC) has been used as a lead compound for the chemical synthesis of various bioactive substances and drugs. Its prenylated derivatives exhibit potent antibacterial, antitubercular, anticoagulant, and anti-cancer activities. In doing this, E. coli BL21(DE3)pLysS strain was engineered as the in vivo prenylation system to produce the farnesyl derivatives of 4HC by coexpressing the genes encoding Aspergillus terreus aromatic prenyltransferase (AtaPT) and truncated 1-deoxy-D-xylose 5-phosphate synthase of Croton stellatopilosus (CstDXS), where 4HC was the fed precursor. Based on the high-resolution LC-ESI(±)-QTOF-MS/MS with the use of in silico tools (e.g., MetFrag, SIRIUS (version 4.8.2), CSI:FingerID, and CANOPUS), the first major prenylated product (named compound-1) was detected and ultimately elucidated as ferulenol, in which information concerning the correct molecular formula, chemical structure, substructures, and classifications were obtained. The prenylated product (named compound-2) was also detected as the minor product, where this structure proposed to be the isomeric structure of ferulenol formed via the tautomerization. Note that both products were secreted into the culture medium of the recombinant E. coli and could be produced without the external supply of prenyl precursors. The results suggested the potential use of this engineered pathway for synthesizing the farnesylated-4HC derivatives, especially ferulenol.

Mechanisms of action of antihyperglycemic mexicanolides isolated from Swietenia humillis: in vivo and in silico approaches

Planta Medica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S1-S381 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Ovalle-Magallanes ◽  
A Madariaga-Mazón ◽  
A Navarrete ◽  
R Mata
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document