Expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERs α) and folliculogenesis profile in ovary of the rats ovarian hypofunction model

Ovarian hypofunction is one of the reproductive disorders that occur due to a decrease in ovarian function that causes animals to not experience heat. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of GnRH antagonist hormone interventions on ovarian hypofunction model rats by looking at the expression of alpha ERs (ERs α) and the profile of folliculogenesis in the ovaries. This study used two groups of female Wistar strain rats, aged 8-10 weeks, bodyweight 150-180 grams and each group contained 10 animals. Intervention gave control group, without cetrorelix acetate intervention (placebo aqua dest sterile), treatment group with the induction of cetrorelix acetate 0.0135 mg/kg BW for 17 days. Observation of α ERs expression in the ovary was analyzed by immunohistochemical methods, and data were analyzed using T-Test analysis (α <0.05). Meanwhile, the folliculogenesis profile was analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, then analyzed descriptively. The results of this study indicate that the treatment group given the intervention cetrorelix acetate dose 0.0135 mg/kg BW showed significantly different results compared to the control group. In the treatment group, the ERs α expression decreased by 82.7% compared to the control group and in the folliculogenesis profile, there was a decrease in follicular development from pre-antral follicles to antral follicles. Cetrorelix acetate interventions can have an effect on the inhibition of folliculogenesis and estrogen binding with ERs that cause anoestrous.

SARS-CoV2 S Protein Features Potential Estrogen Binding Site

Research background: During the current SARS-CoV2 pandemic, as well as earlier SARS and MERS epidemics, it has been observed that COVID19-positive women on average tend to have milder symptoms and lower fatality rates than men. There is a number of differences between sexes known to contribute to different immune responses and severity of disease, one being the effect of estrogen via estrogen receptor signaling. We wondered if estrogen might also affect the SARS-CoV2 more directly, perhaps by binding to the surface glycoprotein (S protein) thus possibly reducing its infectivity. Experimental approach: To assess whether there is a possibility for estrogen binding on the SARS-CoV2 S protein we used BLAST and HHpred to compare protein sequences of S protein and human estrogen receptor β, while 3D structures of potential estrogen binding site and active site of estrogen receptor β were visualized and compared using PyMOL. Results and conclusions: By comparing protein sequence of SARS-CoV2 S protein with the human estrogen receptor β, we identified a potential estrogen binding site on S protein and further determined that it also shares notable similarities with the active site of ER β when observed in 3D structure of their respective proteins. As a control, SARS-CoV2 S protein was compared with the human androgen receptor, and no such similarities were found. The potential estrogen binding site is a part of coronavirus S2 superfamily domain, which is involved in host-virus membrane fusion during infection and appears to be conserved throughout the Coronaviridae family. Novelty and scientific contribution: This preliminary communication shows that SARS-CoV2 S protein features a potential estrogen binding site. Hopefully, this will prompt a more comprehensive study on the possibilities of estrogen binding on the S protein and the effect this might confer on the virus infectivity.

HPLC-MS identification and expression of Candida drug-resistance proteins from African HIV-infected patients

<abstract> <p>The objective of this study was to elucidate the proteomic mechanisms of drug resistance in HIV-infected African patients. Cell membrane fractions from forty oral <italic>Candida</italic> isolates isolated from African HIV-positive patients were analysed using HPLC-MS with the aim of identifying proteins associated with their pathogenicity and drug resistance. Heat shock proteins that mediate the fungicidal activity of salivary peptides were found in all tested <italic>Candida</italic> fractions, with pH-responsive proteins associated with increased pathogenicity only being present in the three most commonly isolated species. ABC multidrug transporter efflux pumps and estrogen binding proteins were only found in <italic>C. albicans</italic> fractions, while ergosterol biosynthesis proteins were identified in four species. The combination of various adherence, invasion, upregulation and efflux pump mechanisms appear to be instrumental for the <italic>Candida</italic> host colonization and drug resistance emergence in HIV-infected individuals.</p> </abstract>