scholarly journals Metallothioneins: Diverse Protein Family to Bind Metallic Ions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ettiyagounder Parameswari ◽  
Tamilselvan Ilakiya ◽  
Veeraswamy Davamani ◽  
Periasami Kalaiselvi ◽  
Selvaraj Paul Sebastian
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Growth Regulation ◽  
Class I ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Metallic Ions ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Structure Conservation ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Metallothionein’s (MTs) are the lower molecular weight (6-7 kDa) proteins that are found to be present in almost all organism types ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes species. MT are the metal detecting proteins that can mitigate the effect caused by the excess metal ions. They are also found to be involved in cellular process such as cell growth regulation, ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and DNA repair. The protein was termed as Metallothionein due to the unusual higher metal (metallo) and the sulfur (thiol) content. They are further grouped into 3 classes viz., class I, II and III. The Class I and II MTs are polypeptides that were obtained from direct gene products, the class III MTs are from the cysteine-rich non-translational molecules that are termed as phytochelatins. The metal ions are been sequestered through the MTs with Cys rich motifs. All the cysteines are present in the reduced form and are been co-ordinated through the mercaptide bonds. The cysteines present in the MTs are preserved across the species, it is supposed that, cysteines are essential for the function and the MTs are required for the life. Metallothionins structure, conservation in evolution, their ubiquitous nature of occurrence, the genes redundancy and the programmed MTs synthesis in development, regeneration and reproduction of living organisms are some of the weighty arguments in suspecting MTs to also serve others and perhaps the high particular metal-related cellular roles. In this chapter, there is a detailed discussion about Metallothionein its structure, occurrence and function.

scholarly journals 3D CBCT Evaluation of Condyle Position in Skeletal Class I & Class III Growing Subjects

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Rajiv Kumar Mishra ◽  
Om Prakash Kharbanda ◽  
Rajiv Balachandran
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
T Test ◽  
Class I ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Skeletal Class ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condyle Position ◽  
Condylar Position ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cbct Analysis

Introduction: Evaluation of temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy and function is an essential part of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. It has been hypothesized that dental and skeletal malocclusions alter the functional loading of TMJ which can affect joint morphology.Objective: Three dimensional (3D) evaluation of condylar position using CBCT in skeletal Class I and Class III growing subjects.Materials & Method: CBCT images of ten growing skeletal Class I & ten Class III patients in the age range of 7-14 years were analyzed. 3D condylar position were evaluated representing antero-posterior, vertical, laterolateral position of condyle, axial condylar angle and coronal condylar angles which were measured in axial, coronal and sagittal sections using Dolphin Imaging software. Antero-posterior and vertical difference of right and left condyle were measured in axial and coronal sections respectively.Result: Paired t-Test revealed no significant difference between right and left sides of condyle in skeletal Class I as well as Class III subjects. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference between position of condyle in ClassI and Class III subjects.Conclusion: 3D CBCT analysis shows no significant difference in condylar position of skeletal Class I and Class III subjects.

scholarly journals The Current Knowledge of Invertebrate Aquaporin Water Channels with Particular Emphasis on Insect AQPs

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Tomkowiak ◽  
Joanna Romana Pienkowska
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Water Channels ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Transmembrane Segments ◽  
Single Organism ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function ◽  
Hostile Environments

SummaryAquaporins (AQPs) or water channels are some of the most ubiquitous integral membrane proteins, and are present in all living organisms. Their presence in the lipid bilayer of cell membranes considerably increases their permeability to water and, in some cases, to other small solutes. All AQPs, identified thus far, share the same structure, comprising of six transmembrane segments and two conserved regions forming the pore. Depending on the transported solutes, AQPs can be divided into two classes: ‘classical’ aquaporins (permeable only to water) and aquaglyceroporins (permeable also to glycerol and/or other solutes). Many subtypes of AQPs coexist in a single organism. Localization of particular subtypes of AQPs is tissue-specific. AQPs have been well characterized in almost all vertebrate classes. However, little is known about their counterparts in invertebrates. Most of the water channels characterized in invertebrates are found in insects. Therefore, the knowledge of aquaporins in invertebrates is generally limited to the information concerning water channels in this class of organism. Insects are characterized by an astonishing variety of physiological adaptations, notable in their feeding strategies or survival strategies in hostile environments. An example of such, is feeding on blood, or tolerating extreme cold or drought. It is likely that many of these adaptation patterns emerged due to the expression and regulation of particular aquaporins. Here we review the current state of knowledge of invertebrate AQPs (of insects and nematodes) and compare their structure and function with mammalian water channels

Structure and function of 5S rRNA in the ribosome

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 869-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Bogdanov ◽  
Olga A. Dontsova ◽  
Svetlana S. Dokudovskaya ◽  
Inna N. Lavrik
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
5S Rrna ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Order Structure ◽  
Structural Domain ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

5S rRNA is a small RNA molecule that is a component of a ribosome from almost all living organisms. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis of 5S rRNA and its properties as an independent structural domain of a ribosome as well as the current concepts concerning the higher order structure of 5S rRNA in free state and in its complexes with ribosomal proteins and its folding in the ribosome. Special attention is paid to recent experimental approaches that have been useful in 5S rRNA studies. Our own data on topography of 5S rRNA in the ribosomes are discussed in detail. The hypothesis describing the possible functional role of 5S rRNA for ribosome functioning is discussed.Key words: 5S rRNA, ribosomes, 23S rRNA, site-directed chemical cross-linking, RNA folding.

scholarly journals Autophagy-related protein Vps34 controls the homeostasis and function of antigen cross-presenting CD8α+ dendritic cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (31) ◽  
pp. E6371-E6380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vrajesh V. Parekh ◽  
Sudheer K. Pabbisetty ◽  
Lan Wu ◽  
Eric Sebzda ◽  
Jennifer Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Mhc Class I ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Class I ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Cross Presentation ◽  
Vacuolar Protein ◽  
And Function

The class III PI3K Vacuolar protein sorting 34 (Vps34) plays a role in both canonical and noncanonical autophagy, key processes that control the presentation of antigens by dendritic cells (DCs) to naive T lymphocytes. We generated DC-specific Vps34-deficient mice to assess the contribution of Vps34 to DC functions. We found that DCs from these animals have a partially activated phenotype, spontaneously produce cytokines, and exhibit enhanced activity of the classic MHC class I and class II antigen-presentation pathways. Surprisingly, these animals displayed a defect in the homeostatic maintenance of splenic CD8α+ DCs and in the capacity of these cells to cross-present cell corpse-associated antigens to MHC class I-restricted T cells, a property that was associated with defective expression of the T-cell Ig mucin (TIM)-4 receptor. Importantly, mice deficient in the Vps34-associated protein Rubicon, which is critical for a noncanonical form of autophagy called “Light-chain 3 (LC3)-associated phagocytosis” (LAP), lacked such defects. Finally, consistent with their defect in the cross-presentation of apoptotic cells, DC-specific Vps34-deficient animals developed increased metastases in response to challenge with B16 melanoma cells. Collectively, our studies have revealed a critical role of Vps34 in the regulation of CD8α+ DC homeostasis and in the capacity of these cells to process and present antigens associated with apoptotic cells to MHC class I-restricted T cells. Our findings also have important implications for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of Vps34 for therapeutic purposes.

scholarly journals Iron and Chelation in Biochemistry and Medicine: New Approaches to Controlling Iron Metabolism and Treating Related Diseases

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1456 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kontoghiorghes ◽  
Christina Kontoghiorghe
Keyword(s):  
Free Radical ◽  
Iron Metabolism ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Physiological Activity ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Iron Complex ◽  
Idiopathic Hemochromatosis ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Iron is essential for all living organisms. Many iron-containing proteins and metabolic pathways play a key role in almost all cellular and physiological functions. The diversity of the activity and function of iron and its associated pathologies is based on bond formation with adjacent ligands and the overall structure of the iron complex in proteins or with other biomolecules. The control of the metabolic pathways of iron absorption, utilization, recycling and excretion by iron-containing proteins ensures normal biologic and physiological activity. Abnormalities in iron-containing proteins, iron metabolic pathways and also other associated processes can lead to an array of diseases. These include iron deficiency, which affects more than a quarter of the world’s population; hemoglobinopathies, which are the most common of the genetic disorders and idiopathic hemochromatosis. Iron is the most common catalyst of free radical production and oxidative stress which are implicated in tissue damage in most pathologic conditions, cancer initiation and progression, neurodegeneration and many other diseases. The interaction of iron and iron-containing proteins with dietary and xenobiotic molecules, including drugs, may affect iron metabolic and disease processes. Deferiprone, deferoxamine, deferasirox and other chelating drugs can offer therapeutic solutions for most diseases associated with iron metabolism including iron overload and deficiency, neurodegeneration and cancer, the detoxification of xenobiotic metals and most diseases associated with free radical pathology.

Chemometric Analysis of Substituent Effects. VIII. Alternative Interpretation of Substituent Effects (AISE)

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1502-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oldřich Pytela
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Bond ◽  
Substituent Effects ◽  
Alternative Interpretation ◽  
Class I ◽  
Reaction Centre ◽  
Correlation Equations ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Substituent Constant ◽  
Chemical Models ◽  
The Individual

Alternative interpretation of substituent effects (AISE) starts from the presumption that a substituent only possesses a single property described by a single substituent constant. This property is transmitted to the reaction centre by three different ways depending on the interaction type in the triad reaction centre - basic skeleton - substituent. For interpretation it is substantial whether or not the substituent has p electrons at the atom adjacent to the basic skeleton. If it has none, the substituent belongs to class I and operates only by its basic effect described by the mentioned single substituent constant. Substituents of class II possess a free electron pair at the atom adjacent to the basic skeleton, and those of class III have a multiple bond between the first and the second atoms which is polarized in the direction from the basic skeleton. Substituent effects in class I are described by a substituent constant identical with σI constant. Substituents in classes II and III show additional effects proportional to the same constant. Hence, a separate treatment of substituent effects in the individual classes provides three straight lines intersecting in a common point. Mathematically, the description of substituent effects in this approach is expressed by a family of lines with a single explaining variable. The point of intersection, which is referred to as the iso-effect point, is not identical with the classic standard substituent - hydrogen - but is near to CN substituent. The approach given has the advantage of adopting a single substituent constant whose scale can be adjusted relatively precisely. Its drawback (like in the case of the correlation equations derived from the principle of separation of substituent effects) lies in a more extensive set of substituents needed for a correlation. The AISE principle has been applied to 318 series of experimental data describing effects of 32 substituents in a large variety of chemical models (aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, with or without direct conjugation between reaction centre and substituent) in both chemical reactions and equilibria. A comparison with two other correlation relations with two and three substituent constants for interpretation of substituent effects based on the principle of separation of the individual substituent effects showed that the closeness of AISE based correlations is comparable with that of the correlation equations currently used. It was somewhat less successful in the models with direct conjugation between reaction centre and substituent but the AISE principle can be used even in these cases.

scholarly journals Modulation of Innate Immune Toxicity by Silver Nanoparticle Exposure and the Preventive Effects of Pterostilbene

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2536
Author(s):  
Rong-Jane Chen ◽  
Chiao-Ching Huang ◽  
Rosita Pranata ◽  
Yu-Hsuan Lee ◽  
Yu-Ying Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Good Alternative ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Transgenic Zebrafish ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
And Function ◽  
Immune Toxicity

Silver nanoparticles pose a potential risk to ecosystems and living organisms due to their widespread use in various fields and subsequent gradual release into the environment. Only a few studies have investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) toxicity on immunological functions. Furthermore, these toxic effects have not been fully explored. Recent studies have indicated that zebrafish are considered a good alternative model for testing toxicity and for evaluating immunological toxicity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity effects of AgNPs on innate immunity using a zebrafish model and to investigate whether the natural compound pterostilbene (PTE) could provide protection against AgNPs-induced immunotoxicity. Wild type and neutrophil- and macrophage-transgenic zebrafish lines were used in the experiments. The results indicated that the exposure to AgNPs induced toxic effects including death, malformation and the innate immune toxicity of zebrafish. In addition, AgNPs affect the number and function of neutrophils and macrophages. The expression of immune-related cytokines and chemokines was also affected. Notably, the addition of PTE could activate immune cells and promote their accumulation in injured areas in zebrafish, thereby reducing the damage caused by AgNPs. In conclusion, AgNPs may induce innate immune toxicity and PTE could ameliorate this toxicity.

scholarly journals Environmental Cadmium Exposure and Dental Indices in Orthodontic Patients

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 413
Author(s):  
Hui-Ling Chen ◽  
Jason Chen-Chieh Fang ◽  
Chia-Jung Chang ◽  
Ti-Feng Wu ◽  
I-Kuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cadmium Concentration ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Cadmium Exposure ◽  
Class I ◽  
P Value ◽  
Tooth Decay ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Orthodontic Patients ◽  
Urine Cadmium ◽  
The Mean

Background. Previous studies have shown that environmental cadmium exposure could disrupt salivary gland function and is associated with dental caries and reduced bone density. Therefore, this cross-sectional study attempted to determine whether tooth decay with tooth loss following cadmium exposure is associated with some dental or skeletal traits such as malocclusions, sagittal skeletal pattern, and tooth decay. Methods. Between August 2019 and June 2020, 60 orthodontic patients with no history of previous orthodontics, functional appliances, or surgical treatment were examined. The patients were stratified into two groups according to their urine cadmium concentrations: high (>1.06 µg/g creatinine, n = 28) or low (<1.06 µg/g creatinine, n = 32). Results. The patients were 25.07 ± 4.33 years old, and most were female (female/male: 51/9 or 85%). The skeletal relationship was mainly Class I (48.3%), followed by Class II (35.0%) and Class III (16.7%). Class I molar relationships were found in 46.7% of these patients, Class II molar relationships were found in 15%, and Class III molar relationships were found in 38.3%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled surface (DMFS) score was 8.05 ± 5.54, including 2.03 ± 3.11 for the decayed index, 0.58 ± 1.17 for the missing index, and 5.52 ± 3.92 for the filled index. The mean index of complexity outcome and need (ICON) score was 53.35 ± 9.01. The facial patterns of these patients were within the average low margin (26.65 ± 5.53 for Frankfort–mandibular plane angle (FMA)). There were no significant differences in the above-mentioned dental indices between patients with high urine cadmium concentrations and those with low urine cadmium concentrations. Patients were further stratified into low (<27, n = 34), average (27–34, n = 23), and high (>34, n = 3) FMA groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the urine cadmium concentration among the three groups. Nevertheless, a marginally significant p-value of 0.05 for urine cadmium concentration was noted between patients with low FMA and patients with high FMA. Conclusion. This analysis found no association between environmental cadmium exposure and dental indices in our orthodontic patients.

scholarly journals Roles of HIF and 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenases in Controlling Gene Expression in Hypoxia

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Julianty Frost ◽  
Mark Frost ◽  
Michael Batie ◽  
Hao Jiang ◽  
Sonia Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Hydroxylase Activity ◽  
Control Of Gene Expression ◽  
Prolyl Hydroxylases ◽  
Chromatin Organisation ◽  
Sense And Respond ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Function

Hypoxia—reduction in oxygen availability—plays key roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Given the importance of oxygen for cell and organism viability, mechanisms to sense and respond to hypoxia are in place. A variety of enzymes utilise molecular oxygen, but of particular importance to oxygen sensing are the 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) dependent dioxygenases (2-OGDs). Of these, Prolyl-hydroxylases have long been recognised to control the levels and function of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF), a master transcriptional regulator in hypoxia, via their hydroxylase activity. However, recent studies are revealing that dioxygenases are involved in almost all aspects of gene regulation, including chromatin organisation, transcription and translation. We highlight the relevance of HIF and 2-OGDs in the control of gene expression in response to hypoxia and their relevance to human biology and health.

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