scholarly journals Crocodylus porosus Gut Bacteria: A Possible Source of Novel Metabolites

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4999
Author(s):  
Naveed Ahmed Khan ◽  
Morhanavallee Soopramanien ◽  
Sutherland Kester Maciver ◽  
Tengku Shahrul Anuar ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Gut Flora ◽  
Cell Lineages ◽  
Cancerous Cell ◽  
Crocodylus Porosus ◽  
First Time ◽  
Harsh Conditions

Crocodiles are remarkable animals that have the ability to endure extremely harsh conditions and can survive up to a 100 years while being exposed to noxious agents that are detrimental to Homo sapiens. Besides their immunity, we postulate that the microbial gut flora of crocodiles may produce substances with protective effects. In this study, we isolated and characterized selected bacteria colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of Crocodylusporosus and demonstrated their inhibitory effects against three different cancerous cell lineages. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, several molecules were identified. For the first time, we report partial analyses of crocodile’s gut bacterial molecules.

scholarly journals Interactome Analysis of KIN (Kin17) Shows New Functions of This Protein

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 767-781
Author(s):  
Vanessa Pinatto Gaspar ◽  
Anelise Cardoso Ramos ◽  
Philippe Cloutier ◽  
José Renato Pattaro Junior ◽  
Francisco Ferreira Duarte Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Ribosome Biogenesis ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancerous Cell ◽  
First Time

KIN (Kin17) protein is overexpressed in a number of cancerous cell lines, and is therefore considered a possible cancer biomarker. It is a well-conserved protein across eukaryotes and is ubiquitously expressed in all cell types studied, suggesting an important role in the maintenance of basic cellular function which is yet to be well determined. Early studies on KIN suggested that this nuclear protein plays a role in cellular mechanisms such as DNA replication and/or repair; however, its association with chromatin depends on its methylation state. In order to provide a better understanding of the cellular role of this protein, we investigated its interactome by proximity-dependent biotin identification coupled to mass spectrometry (BioID-MS), used for identification of protein–protein interactions. Our analyses detected interaction with a novel set of proteins and reinforced previous observations linking KIN to factors involved in RNA processing, notably pre-mRNA splicing and ribosome biogenesis. However, little evidence supports that this protein is directly coupled to DNA replication and/or repair processes, as previously suggested. Furthermore, a novel interaction was observed with PRMT7 (protein arginine methyltransferase 7) and we demonstrated that KIN is modified by this enzyme. This interactome analysis indicates that KIN is associated with several cell metabolism functions, and shows for the first time an association with ribosome biogenesis, suggesting that KIN is likely a moonlight protein.

scholarly journals Directional changes in Levallois core technologies between Eastern Africa, Arabia, and the Levant during MIS 5

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Blinkhorn ◽  
Huw S. Groucutt ◽  
Eleanor M. L. Scerri ◽  
Michael D. Petraglia ◽  
Simon Blockley
Keyword(s):  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Reduction Activity ◽  
Core Technology ◽  
Geographic Expansion ◽  
First Time ◽  
Mis 5

AbstractMarine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5, ~ 130 to 71 thousand years ago, was a key period for the geographic expansion of Homo sapiens, including engagement with new landscapes within Africa and dispersal into Asia. Occupation of the Levant by Homo sapiens in MIS 5 is well established, while recent research has documented complementary evidence in Arabia. Here, we undertake the first detailed comparison of Levallois core technology from eastern Africa, Arabia, and the Levant during MIS 5, including multiple sites associated with Homo sapiens fossils. We employ quantitative comparisons of individual artefacts that provides a detailed appraisal of Levallois reduction activity in MIS 5, thereby enabling assessment of intra- and inter-assemblage variability for the first time. Our results demonstrate a pattern of geographically structured variability embedded within a shared focus on centripetal Levallois reduction schemes and overlapping core morphologies. We reveal directional changes in core shaping and flake production from eastern Africa to Arabia and the Levant that are independent of differences in geographic or environmental parameters. These results are consistent with a common cultural inheritance between these regions, potentially stemming from a shared late Middle Pleistocene source in eastern Africa.

scholarly journals A novel role for WAVE1 in controlling actin network growth rate and architecture

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith O. Sweeney ◽  
Agnieszka Collins ◽  
Shae B. Padrick ◽  
Bruce L. Goode
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filament ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Network Growth ◽  
Assembly Kinetics ◽  
Filament Networks ◽  
First Time

Branched actin filament networks in cells are assembled through the combined activities of Arp2/3 complex and different WASP/WAVE proteins. Here we used TIRF and electron microscopy to directly compare for the first time the assembly kinetics and architectures of actin filament networks produced by Arp2/3 complex and dimerized VCA regions of WAVE1, WAVE2, or N-WASP. WAVE1 produced strikingly different networks from WAVE2 or N-WASP, which comprised unexpectedly short filaments. Further analysis showed that the WAVE1-specific activity stemmed from an inhibitory effect on filament elongation both in the presence and absence of Arp2/3 complex, which was observed even at low stoichiometries of WAVE1 to actin monomers, precluding an effect from monomer sequestration. Using a series of VCA chimeras, we mapped the elongation inhibitory effects of WAVE1 to its WH2 (“V”) domain. Further, mutating a single conserved lysine residue potently disrupted WAVE1's inhibitory effects. Taken together, our results show that WAVE1 has unique activities independent of Arp2/3 complex that can govern both the growth rates and architectures of actin filament networks. Such activities may underlie previously observed differences between the cellular functions of WAVE1 and WAVE2.

Energy Harvesting Under Harsh Conditions for the Oil & Gas Upstream Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Correia ◽  
Cátia Rodrigues ◽  
Ricardo Esteves ◽  
Ricardo Cesar Bezerra de Melo ◽  
José Gutiérrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Gas Extraction ◽  
Power Monitoring ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Time ◽  
Harsh Conditions

Abstract Environmental and safety sensing is becoming of high importance in the oil and gas upstream industry. However, present solutions to feed theses sensors are expensive and dangerous and there is so far no technology able to generate electrical energy in the operational conditions of oil and gas extraction wells. In this paper it is presented, for the first time in a relevant environment, a pioneering energy harvesting technology based on nanomaterials that takes advantage of fluid movement in oil extraction wells. A device was tested to power monitoring systems with locally harvested energy in harsh conditions environment (pressures up to 50 bar and temperatures of 50ºC). Even though this technology is in an early development stage this work opens a wide range of possible applications in deep underwater environments and in Oil and Gas extraction wells where continuous flow conditions are present.

Morin Exerts Anti-Diabetic Effects in Human HepG2 Cells Via Down-Regulation of miR-29a

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (09) ◽  
pp. 615-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toktam Razavi ◽  
Shideh Montasser Kouhsari ◽  
Khalil Abnous
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Insulin Mimetic ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
First Time

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disease around the world that is characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. MicroRNA-29a is an important regulator of insulin signaling and gluconeogenesis pathways through IRS2, PI3K and PEPCK expressions which up regulates in Diabetes. Morin is a substantial bioflavonoid which has insulin mimetic effect, and interacting with nucleic acids and proteins. In this study HepG2 cells, were exposed to high glucose to induce diabetic condition. We have determined whether high glucose stimulation might promotes miR-29a expression level in HepG2 cells and subsequently evaluated the Morin treatment effects on this state. In HepG2 cells, high glucose increases miR-29a expression level and decreases its target genes, IRS2 and PI3K expression, and increases associated downstream gene in gluconeogenic pathway, PEPCK. Morin treatment down regulates miR-29a expression level and improves insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. To confirm the inhibitory effects of Morin on miR-29a, we have transfected cells with mimic and inhibitor-miR-29a. This study for the first time identifies that Morin improves diabetic condition through down regulation of the miR-29a level, and suggest that this new inhibitor of miR-29a may be a useful biomedicine to treat diabetes.

scholarly journals Perennial Ryegrass Contains Gluten-Like Proteins That Could Contaminate Cereal Crops

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Escobar-Correas ◽  
James A. Broadbent ◽  
Alicja Andraszek ◽  
Sally Stockwell ◽  
Crispin A. Howitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Reaction Monitoring ◽  
Wheat Gluten ◽  
Shotgun Proteomics ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Wheat Cultivars ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Free Products ◽  
Poaceae Family ◽  
Gliadin Peptides ◽  
First Time

Background: To ensure safe consumption of gluten-free products, there is a need to understand all sources of unintentional contamination with gluten in the food chain. In this study, ryegrass (Lolium perenne), a common weed infesting cereal crop, is analysed as a potential source of gluten-like peptide contamination.Materials and Methods: Ten ryegrass cultivars were analysed using shotgun proteomics for the presence of proteins from the prolamin superfamily. A relative quantitative assay was developed to detect ryegrass gluten-like peptides in comparison with those found in 10 common wheat cultivars.Results: A total of 19 protein accessions were found across 10 cultivars of ryegrass for the protein families of PF00234-Tryp_alpha_amyl, PF13016-Gliadin, and PF03157-Glutenin_HMW. Protein and peptide homology searches revealed that gliadin-like peptides were similar to avenin and gamma-gliadin peptides. A total of 20 peptides, characteristic of prolamin superfamily proteins, were selected for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Only two of the monitored peptides were detected with high abundance in wheat, and all others were detected in ryegrass. Glutenin and alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor peptides were reported for the first time in ryegrass and were noted to be conserved across the Poaceae family.Conclusion: A suite of gluten-like peptides were identified using proteomics that showed consistent abundance across ryegrass cultivars but were not detected in wheat cultivars. These peptides will be useful for differentiating wheat gluten contamination from ryegrass gluten contamination.

scholarly journals Immunoglobulins or Antibodies: IMGT® Bridging Genes, Structures and Functions

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Marie-Paule Lefranc ◽  
Gérard Lefranc
Keyword(s):  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Genomic Databases ◽  
New Science ◽  
Ig Superfamily ◽  
First Time ◽  
Imgt Unique Numbering

IMGT®, the international ImMunoGeneTics® information system founded in 1989 by Marie-Paule Lefranc (Université de Montpellier and CNRS), marked the advent of immunoinformatics, a new science at the interface between immunogenetics and bioinformatics. For the first time, the immunoglobulin (IG) or antibody and T cell receptor (TR) genes were officially recognized as ‘genes’ as well as were conventional genes. This major breakthrough has allowed the entry, in genomic databases, of the IG and TR variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes and alleles of Homo sapiens and of other jawed vertebrate species, based on the CLASSIFICATION axiom. The second major breakthrough has been the IMGT unique numbering and the IMGT Collier de Perles for the V and constant (C) domains of the IG and TR and other proteins of the IG superfamily (IgSF), based on the NUMEROTATION axiom. IMGT-ONTOLOGY axioms and concepts bridge genes, sequences, structures and functions, between biological and computational spheres in the IMGT® system (Web resources, databases and tools). They provide the IMGT Scientific chart rules to identify, to describe and to analyse the IG complex molecular data, the huge diversity of repertoires, the genetic (alleles, allotypes, CNV) polymorphisms, the IG dual function (paratope/epitope, effector properties), the antibody humanization and engineering.

scholarly journals Natural Clovanes from the Gorgonian Coral Rumphella Antipathies

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1300800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsu-Ming Chung ◽  
Wei-Hsien Wang ◽  
Tsong-Long Hwang ◽  
Yang-Chang Wu ◽  
Ping-Jyun Sung
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Data ◽  
Natural Source ◽  
Human Neutrophils ◽  
Spectroscopic Methods ◽  
Superoxide Anions ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Gorgonian Coral ◽  
First Time

Three natural clovane-related sesquiterpenoids, 2β-acetoxyclovan-9α-ol (1), 9α-acetoxyclovan-2β-ol (2) and clovan-2β,9β-diol (3), were isolated from the gorgonian coral Rumphella antipathies. The structures of clovanes 1–3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of known clovane analogues. This is the first time that clovanes 1–3 have been isolated from a natural source. Clovanes 1 and 2 displayed inhibitory effects on the generation of superoxide anions and the release of elastase by human neutrophils.

scholarly journals Guaiane Sesquiterpenes from the Rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza and Their Inhibitory Effects on UVB-induced MMP-1 Expression in Human Keratinocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1701201
Author(s):  
Ji-Hae Park ◽  
Mohamed Antar Aziz Mohamed ◽  
Nhan Nguyen Thi ◽  
Kyeong-Hwa Seo ◽  
Ye-Jin Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Level ◽  
Human Keratinocytes ◽  
Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Skin Cells ◽  
Curcuma Xanthorrhiza ◽  
First Time

A new guaiane sesquiterpene, (1 R,4 S,5 S,10 R)-10-methyl guaianediol (1), along with five known compounds, 10-methylalismoxide (2), (+)-alismoxide (3), isozedoarondiol (4), zedoarondiol (5), and zedoalactone B (6), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. Compounds 1-6 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Chemical structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI/MS), polarimetry, circular dichroism (CD), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Compounds 3 and 4 decreased MMP-1 expression in UVB-treated human keratinocytes by about 8.9-fold and 7.6-fold at the mRNA level, and by about 9.2-fold and 6.6-fold at the protein level, respectively. Results indicate that the isolated compounds have anti-aging effects by inhibiting MMP-1 expression in skin cells.

scholarly journals Combination of Broccoli Sprout Extract and Zinc Provides Better Protection against Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Cardiomyopathy Than Monotherapy in Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jiqun Wang ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Liping Chen ◽  
Jun Cai ◽  
Zhijie Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Related Factor ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Antioxidative Stress ◽  
Dual Activation ◽  
First Time ◽  
Broccoli Sprout

Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and metallothionein have each been reported to protect against chronic intermittent hypoxia- (IH-) induced cardiomyopathy. Sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) and zinc can effectively induce Nrf2 and metallothionein, respectively, to protect against IH-induced cardiomyopathy via antioxidative stress. However, whether the cardiac protective effects of the combination of BSE and zinc can be synergistic or the same has not been evaluated. In this study, we treated 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice with BSE and/or zinc during exposure to IH for 8 weeks. Cardiac dysfunction, as determined by echocardiography, and pathological remodeling and abnormalities, including cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative damage, examined by histopathology and western blotting, were clearly observed in IH mice but were not significant in IH mice treated with either BSE, zinc, or zinc/BSE. Furthermore, the effects of the combined treatment with BSE and zinc were always greater than those of single treatments. Nrf2 function and metallothionein expression in the heart increased to a greater extent using the combination of BSE and zinc than using BSE or zinc alone. These findings for the first time indicate that the dual activation of Nrf2 and metallothionein by combined treatment with BSE and zinc may be more effective than monotherapy at preventing the development of IH-induced cardiomyopathy.

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