Displaying publications 1181 - 1200 of 4089 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Manin BO, Drakeley CJ, Chua TH
    PLoS One, 2018;13(8):e0202905.
    PMID: 30138386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202905
    Anopheles balabacensis, the primary vector of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sabah, Malaysia, is both zoophilic and anthropophilic, feeding on macaques as well as humans. It is the dominant Anopheles species found in Kudat Division where it is responsible for all the cases of P. knowlesi. However there is a paucity of basic biological and ecological information on this vector. We investigated the genetic variation of this species using the sequences of cox1 (1,383 bp) and cox2 (685 bp) to gain an insight into the population genetics and inter-population gene flow in Sabah. A total of 71 An. balabacensis were collected from seven districts constituting 14 subpopulations. A total of 17, 10 and 25 haplotypes were detected in the subpopulations respectively using the cox1, cox2 and the combined sequence. Some of the haplotypes were common among the subpopulations due to gene flow occurring between them. AMOVA showed that the genetic variation was high within subpopulations as compared to between subpopulations. Mantel test results showed that the variation between subpopulations was not due to the geographical distance between them. Furthermore, Tajima's D and Fu's Fs tests showed that An. balabacensis in Sabah is experiencing population expansion and growth. High gene flow between the subpopulations was indicated by the low genetic distance and high gene diversity in the cox1, cox2 and the combined sequence. However the population at Lipasu Lama appeared to be isolated possibly due to its higher altitude at 873 m above sea level.
    Matched MeSH terms: Insect Proteins/genetics; Insect Proteins/chemistry
  2. Tan KY, Liew JL, Tan NH, Quah ESH, Ismail AK, Tan CH
    J Proteomics, 2019 02 10;192:246-257.
    PMID: 30243938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2018.09.006
    The Asiatic coral snakes are basal in the phylogeny of coral snakes. Although envenoming by the Asiatic coral snakes is rarely fatal, little is known about their venom properties and variability from the American coral snakes. Integrating reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we showed that the venom proteome of the Malaysian banded or striped coral snake (Calliophis intestinalis) was composed of mainly phospholipases A2 (PLA2, 43.4%) and three-finger toxins (3FTx, 20.1%). Within 3FTx, the cytotoxins or cardiotoxins (CTX) dominated while the neurotoxins' content was much lower. Its subproteomic details contrasted with the 3FTx profile of most Micrurus sp., illustrating a unique dichotomy of venom phenotype between the Old and the New World coral snakes. Calliophis intestinalis venom proteome was correlated with measured enzymatic activities, and in vivo it was myotoxic but non-lethal to mice, frogs and geckos at high doses (5-10 μg/g). The venom contains species-specific toxins with distinct sequences and antigenicity, and the antibodies raised against PLA2 and CTX of other elapids showed poor binding toward its venom antigens. The unique venom proteome of C. intestinalis unveiled a repertoire of novel toxins, and the toxicity test supported the need for post-bite monitoring of myotoxic complication. SIGNIFICANCE: Malaysian banded or striped coral snake (Calliophis intestinalis) has a cytotoxin (CTX)-predominating venom proteome, a characteristic shared by its congener, the Malayan blue coral snake (Calliophis bivirgata). With little neurotoxins (NTX), it illustrates a CTX/NTX dichotomy of venom phenotype between the Old World and the New World coral snakes. The low toxicity of the venom imply that C. intestinalis bite envenoming can be managed via symptomatic relief of the mild to moderate pain with appropriate analgesia. Systemically, the serum creatine kinase level of patients should be monitored serially for potential complication of myotoxicity. The distinct antigenicity of the venom proteins implies that the empirical use of heterologous antivenom is mostly inappropriate and not recommended.
    Matched MeSH terms: Reptilian Proteins/genetics; Reptilian Proteins/metabolism*
  3. Khan AH, Noordin R
    Biotechnol Prog, 2019 03;35(2):e2752.
    PMID: 30457225 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2752
    Homogeneously glycosylated proteins are essential for analyzing the structure of N-glycans, studying their consequences inside cells, and developing therapeutic glycoproteins. However, the isolation of glycoproteins with homogeneous glycans from human is difficult since glycoforms slightly differ from each other with respect to molecular weight and charge. Microbial expression systems have numerous benefits in expression technology and have gained great attention, because they are more adaptable to the biotechnology industry. While selecting an expression host, the glycosylation pattern must be taken into account, because glycosylation strongly depends on cellular production system and selected production clone. This review discussed the technological developments in glycoengineering of microbial expression systems for humanizing the glycosylation profile and highlighted the expression potential of Leishmania expression system. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2752, 2019.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis*; Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
  4. Abdul-Latiff MAB, Baharuddin H, Abdul-Patah P, Md-Zain BM
    Primates, 2019 Jan;60(1):63-79.
    PMID: 30471014 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-018-0699-y
    The disjunct distribution of Presbytis femoralis subspecies across Sumatra (P. f. percura), southern (P. f. femoralis) and northern (P. f. robinsoni) Peninsular Malaysia marks the unique vicariance events in the Sunda Shelf. However, the taxonomic positions and evolutionary history of P. f. femoralis are unresolved after decades of research. To elucidate this evolutionary history, we analyzed 501 base pairs of the mitochondrial HVSI gene from 25 individuals representing Malaysia's banded langur, with the addition of 29 sequences of Asian Presbytis from Genbank. Our results revealed closer affinity of P. f. femoralis to P. m. mitrata and P. m. sumatrana while maintaining the monophyletic state of P. f. femoralis as compared to P. f. robinsoni. Two central theses were inferred from the results; (1) P. f. femoralis does not belong in the same species classification as P. f. robinsoni, and (2) P. f. femoralis is the basal lineage of the Presbytis in Peninsular Malaysia. Proving the first hypothesis through genetic analysis, we reassigned P. f. femoralis of Malaysia to Presbytis neglectus (Schlegel's banded langur) (Schlegel in Revue Methodique, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle des Pays-Bas 7:1, 1876) following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (article 23.3). The ancestors of P. neglectus are hypothesized to have reached southern Peninsular Malaysia during the Pleistocene and survived in refugium along the western coast. Consequently, they radiated upward, forming P. f. robinsoni and P. siamensis resulting in the highly allopatric distribution in Peninsular Malaysia. This study has successfully resolved the taxonomic position of P. neglectus in Peninsular Malaysia while providing an alternative biogeographic theory for the Asian Presbytis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics*; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism
  5. Saelim L, Akiyoshi N, Tan TT, Ihara A, Yamaguchi M, Hirano K, et al.
    J Plant Res, 2019 Jan;132(1):117-129.
    PMID: 30478480 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-018-1074-1
    The cell wall determines morphology and the environmental responses of plant cells. The primary cell wall (PCW) is produced during cell division and expansion, determining the cell shape and volume. After cell expansion, specific types of plant cells produce a lignified wall, known as a secondary cell wall (SCW). We functionally analyzed Group IIId Arabidopsis AP2/EREBP genes, namely ERF34, ERF35, ERF38, and ERF39, which are homologs of a rice ERF gene previously proposed to be related to SCW biosynthesis. Expression analysis revealed that these four genes are expressed in regions related to cell division and/or cell differentiation in seedlings (i.e., shoot apical meristems, the primordia of leaves and lateral roots, trichomes, and central cylinder of primary roots) and flowers (i.e., vascular tissues of floral organs and replums and/or valve margins of pistils). Overexpression of ERF genes significantly upregulated PCW-type, but not SCW-type, CESA genes encoding cellulose synthase catalytic subunits in Arabidopsis seedlings. Transient co-expression reporter analysis indicated that ERF35, ERF38, and ERF39 possess transcriptional activator activity, and that ERF34, ERF35, ERF38, and ERF39 upregulated the promoter activity of CESA1, a PCW-type CESA gene, through the DRECRTCOREAT elements, the core cis-acting elements known to be recognized by AP2/ERF proteins. Together, our findings show that Group IIId ERF genes are positive transcriptional regulators of PCW-type CESA genes in Arabidopsis and are possibly involved in modulating cellulose biosynthesis in response to developmental requirements and environmental stimuli.
    Matched MeSH terms: Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism; Arabidopsis Proteins/chemistry
  6. Yap JKY, Pickard BS, Chan EWL, Gan SY
    Mol Neurobiol, 2019 Nov;56(11):7741-7753.
    PMID: 31111399 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1638-7
    The innate immune system and inflammatory response in the brain have critical impacts on the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the central nervous system (CNS), the innate immune response is primarily mediated by microglia. However, non-glial cells such as neurons could also partake in inflammatory response independently through inflammasome signalling. The NLR family pyrin domain-containing 1 (NLRP1) inflammasome in the CNS is primarily expressed by pyramidal neurons and oligodendrocytes. NLRP1 is activated in response to amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates, and its activation subsequently cleaves caspase-1 into its active subunits. The activated caspase-1 proteolytically processes interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) into maturation whilst co-ordinately triggers caspase-6 which is responsible for apoptosis and axonal degeneration. In addition, caspase-1 activation induces pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death. Studies in murine AD models indicate that the Nlrp1 inflammasome is indeed upregulated in AD and neuronal death is observed leading to cognitive decline. However, the mechanism of NLRP1 inflammasome activation in AD is particularly elusive, given its structural and functional complexities. In this review, we examine the implications of the human NLRP1 inflammasome and its signalling pathways in driving neuroinflammation in AD.
    Matched MeSH terms: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/chemistry
  7. Mutalip SSM, Rajikin MH, Rahim SA, Khan NMN
    Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2018 Feb;88(1-2):16-26.
    PMID: 30907699 DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000492
    Protective action by annatto-derived delta-tocotrienol (δ-TCT) and soy-derived alpha-tocopherol (α-TOC) through the regulation of PI3K/Akt-Cyclin D1 pathway against the nicotine-induced DNA damages is the focus of the present study. Nicotine, which has been widely reported to have numerous adverse effects on the reproductive system, was used as reproductive toxicant. 48 female balb/c mice (6-8 weeks) (23-25 g) were randomly divided into 8 groups (G1-G8; n = 6) and treated with either nicotine or/and annatto δ-TCT/soy α-TOC for 7 consecutive days. On Day 8, the females were superovulated and mated before euthanized for embryo collection (46 hours post-coitum). Fifty 2-cell embryos from each group were used in gene expression analysis using Affymetrix QuantiGene Plex2.0 assay. Findings indicated that nicotine (G2) significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the number of produced 2-cell embryos compared to control (G1). Intervention with mixed annatto δ-TCT (G3) and pure annatto δ-TCT (G4) significantly increased the number of produced 2-cell embryos by 127 % and 79 % respectively compared to G2, but these were lower than G1. Concurrent treatment with soy α-TOC (G5) decreased embryo production by 7 %. Supplementations with δ-TCT and α-TOC alone (G6-G8) significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of produced 2-cell embryos by 50 %, 36 % and 41 % respectively, compared to control (G1). These results were found to be associated with the alterations in the PI3K/Akt-Cyclin D1 gene expressions, indicating the inhibitory effects of annatto δ-TCT and soy α-TOC against the nicotinic embryonic damages. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt on studying the benefits of annatto δ-TCT on murine preimplantation 2-cell embryos.
    Matched MeSH terms: Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
  8. Mohd-Assaad N, McDonald BA, Croll D
    Environ Microbiol, 2019 08;21(8):2677-2695.
    PMID: 30838748 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14583
    Plant pathogens secrete effector proteins to manipulate the host and facilitate infection. Cognate hosts trigger strong defence responses upon detection of these effectors. Consequently, pathogens and hosts undergo rapid coevolutionary arms races driven by adaptive evolution of effectors and receptors. Because of their high rate of turnover, most effectors are thought to be species-specific and the evolutionary trajectories are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the necrosis-inducing protein 1 (NIP1) effector in the multihost pathogen genus Rhynchosporium. We retraced the evolutionary history of the NIP1 locus using whole-genome assemblies of 146 strains covering four closely related species. NIP1 orthologues were present in all species but the locus consistently segregated presence-absence polymorphisms suggesting long-term balancing selection. We also identified previously unknown paralogues of NIP1 that were shared among multiple species and showed substantial copy-number variation within R. commune. The NIP1A paralogue was under significant positive selection suggesting that NIP1A is the dominant effector variant coevolving with host immune receptors. Consistent with this prediction, we found that copy number variation at NIP1A had a stronger effect on virulence than NIP1B. Our analyses unravelled the origins and diversification mechanisms of a pathogen effector family shedding light on how pathogens gain adaptive genetic variation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/genetics; Fungal Proteins/physiology
  9. Neoh BK, Wong YC, Teh HF, Ng TLM, Tiong SH, Ooi TEK, et al.
    PLoS One, 2019;14(3):e0213591.
    PMID: 30856213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213591
    To investigate limiters of photosynthate assimilation in the carbon-source limited crop, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), we measured differential metabolite, gene expression and the gas exchange in leaves in an open field for palms with distinct mesocarp oil content. We observed higher concentrations of glucose 1-phosphate, glucose 6-phosphate, sucrose 6-phosphate, and sucrose in high-oil content palms with the greatest difference being at 11:00 (p-value ≤0.05) immediately after the period of low morning light intensity. Three important photosynthetic genes were identified using differentially expressed gene analysis (DEGs) and were found to be significantly enriched through Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment: chlorophyll a-b binding protein (CAB-13), photosystem I (PSI), and Ferredoxin-NADP reductase (FNR), particularly for sampling points at non-peak light (11:00 and 19:00), ranging from 3.3-fold (PSI) and 5.6-fold (FNR) to 10.3-fold (CAB-13). Subsequent gas exchange measurements further supported increased carbon assimilation through higher level of internal CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration rate (E) in high-oil content palms. The selection for higher expression of key photosynthesis genes together with CO2 assimilation under low light is likely to be important for crop improvement, in particular at full maturity and under high density planting regimes where light competition exists between palms.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/genetics*; Plant Proteins/metabolism
  10. Hu D, Zhu Z, Li S, Deng Y, Wu Y, Zhang N, et al.
    PLoS Pathog, 2019 06;15(6):e1007836.
    PMID: 31242272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007836
    Dengue is the most widespread vector-borne viral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) for which there are no safe, effective drugs approved for clinical use. Here, by using sequential antigen panning of a yeast antibody library derived from healthy donors against the DENV envelop protein domain III (DIII) combined with depletion by an entry defective DIII mutant, we identified a cross-reactive human monoclonal antibody (mAb), m366.6, which bound with high affinity to DENV DIII from all four DENV serotypes. Immunogenetic analysis indicated that m366.6 is a germline-like mAb with very few somatic mutations from the closest VH and Vλ germline genes. Importantly, we demonstrated that it potently neutralized DENV both in vitro and in the mouse models of DENV infection without detectable antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect. The epitope of m366.6 was mapped to the highly conserved regions on DIII, which may guide the design of effective dengue vaccine immunogens. Furthermore, as the first germline-like mAb derived from a naïve antibody library that could neutralize all four DENV serotypes, the m366.6 can be a tool for exploring mechanisms of DENV infection, and is a promising therapeutic candidate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*
  11. Amiruddin N, Chan PL, Azizi N, Morris PE, Chan KL, Ong PW, et al.
    Plant Cell Physiol, 2020 Apr 01;61(4):735-747.
    PMID: 31883014 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcz237
    Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs) are involved in binding and trafficking acyl-CoA esters in eukaryotic cells. ACBPs contain a well-conserved acyl-CoA-binding domain. Their various functions have been characterized in the model plant Arabidopsis and, to a lesser extent, in rice. In this study, genome-wide detection and expression analysis of ACBPs were performed on Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), the most important oil crop in the world. Seven E. guineensis ACBPs were identified and classified into four groups according to their deduced amino acid domain organization. Phylogenetic analysis showed conservation of this family with other higher plants. All seven EgACBPs were expressed in most tissues while their differential expression suggests various functions in specific tissues. For example, EgACBP3 had high expression in inflorescences and stalks while EgACBP1 showed strong expression in leaves. Because of the importance of E. guineensis as an oil crop, expression of EgACBPs was specifically examined during fruit development. EgACBP3 showed high expression throughout mesocarp development, while EgACBP1 had enhanced expression during rapid oil synthesis. In endosperm, both EgACBP1 and EgACBP3 exhibited increased expression during seed development. These results provide important information for further investigations on the biological functions of EgACBPs in various tissues and, in particular, their roles in oil synthesis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/genetics*; Plant Proteins/metabolism
  12. Li S, Lu BP, Feng J, Zhou JJ, Xie ZZ, Liang C, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Dec 01;37(4):852-863.
    PMID: 33612738 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.4.852
    Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FbA), a well characterized glycometabolism enzyme, has been found to participate in other important processes besides the classic catalysis. To understand the important functions of three fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases from Clonorchis sinensis (CsFbAs, CsFbA-1/2/3) in host-parasite interplay, the open reading frames of CsFbAs were cloned into pET30a (+) vector and the resulting recombinant plasmids were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for expression of the proteins. Purified recombinant CsFbAs proteins (rCsFbAs) were approximately 45.0 kDa on 12% SDS-PAGE and could be probed with each rat anti-rCsFbAs sera by western blotting analysis. ELISA and ligand blot overlay indicated that rCsFbAs of 45.0 kDa as well as native CsFbAs of 39.5 kDa from total worm extracts and excretory-secretory products of Clonorchis sinensis (CsESPs) could bind to human plasminogen, and the binding could be efficiently inhibited by lysine analog ε-aminocaproic acid. Our results suggested that as both the components of CsESPs and the plasminogen binding proteins, three CsFbAs might be involved in preventing the formation of the blood clot so that Clonorchis sinensis could acquire enough nutrients from host tissue for their successful survival and colonization in the host. Our work will provide us with new information about the biological function of three CsFbAs and their roles in hostparasite interplay.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
  13. Hau EH, Teh SS, Yeo SK, Mah SH
    J Sci Food Agric, 2022 Jan 15;102(1):233-240.
    PMID: 34081335 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11350
    BACKGROUND: The oil palm tree produces 90% of wastes and the limited usage of these wastes causes a major disposal problem in the mills. Nevertheless, these by-products have a large amount of nutritional components. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the physicochemical and functional properties of protein hydrolysates (PH) from oil palm leaves (OPL) extracted using different concentrations of Alcalase (0-10%) at 2 h of hydrolysis time.

    RESULTS: Fourier transform infrared spectral analyses showed that the enzymatic hydrolysis altered functional groups of OPL where a secondary amine was present in the PH. Changes were also observed in the thermal stability where the enthalpy heat obtained for PH (933.93-1142.57 J g-1 ) was much lower than OPL (7854.11 J g-1 ). The results showed that the PH extracted by 8% Alcalase exhibited absolute zeta potential, as well as a high emulsifying activity index (70.64 m2  g-1 of protein) and emulsion stability index (60.58 min). Furthermore, this PH showed higher solubility (96.32%) and emulsifying properties compared to other PHs. It is also comparable with commercial plant proteins, indicating that 8% Alcalase is an optimum concentration for hydrolysis.

    CONCLUSION: In summary, the physicochemical and functional properties of PH extracted from OPL showed good functional properties, suggesting that it can be used as an alternative plant protein in food industries. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Proteins/isolation & purification; Plant Proteins/chemistry*
  14. Juhari WKW, Ahmad Amin Noordin KB, Zakaria AD, Rahman WFWA, Mokhter WMMWM, Hassan MRA, et al.
    Genes (Basel), 2021 09 20;12(9).
    PMID: 34573430 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091448
    BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify new genes associated with CRC in patients with normal mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression.

    METHOD: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed in seven early-age-onset Malay CRC patients. Potential germline genetic variants, including single-nucleotide variations and insertions and deletions (indels), were prioritized using functional and predictive algorithms.

    RESULTS: An average of 3.2 million single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) and over 800 indels were identified. Three potential candidate variants in three genes-IFNE, PTCH2 and SEMA3D-which were predicted to affect protein function, were identified in three Malay CRC patients. In addition, 19 candidate genes-ANKDD1B, CENPM, CLDN5, MAGEB16, MAP3K14, MOB3C, MS4A12, MUC19, OR2L8, OR51Q1, OR51AR1, PDE4DIP, PKD1L3, PRIM2, PRM3, SEC22B, TPTE, USP29 and ZNF117-harbouring nonsense variants were prioritised. These genes are suggested to play a role in cancer predisposition and to be associated with cancer risk. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment in the olfactory signalling pathway.

    CONCLUSION: This study provides a new spectrum of insights into the potential genes, variants and pathways associated with CRC in Malay patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Proteins/genetics; Proteins/metabolism
  15. Escaffre O, Hill T, Ikegami T, Juelich TL, Smith JK, Zhang L, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2018 10 05;218(10):1602-1610.
    PMID: 29912426 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy357
    Background: Nipah virus (NiV) is a paramyxovirus (genus Henipavirus) that can cause severe respiratory illness and encephalitis in humans. Transmission occurs through consumption of NiV-contaminated foods, and contact with NiV-infected animals or human body fluids. However, it is unclear whether aerosols derived from aforesaid sources or others also contribute to transmission, and current knowledge on NiV-induced pathogenicity after small-particle aerosol exposure is still limited.

    Methods: Infectivity, pathogenicity, and real-time dissemination of aerosolized NiV in Syrian hamsters was evaluated using NiV-Malaysia (NiV-M) and/or its recombinant expressing firefly luciferase (rNiV-FlucNP).

    Results: Both viruses had an equivalent pathogenicity in hamsters, which developed respiratory and neurological symptoms of disease, similar to using intranasal route, with no direct correlations to the dose. We showed that virus replication was predominantly initiated in the lower respiratory tract and, although delayed, also intensely in the oronasal cavity and possibly the brain, with gradual increase of signal in these regions until at least day 5-6 postinfection.

    Conclusion: Hamsters infected with small-particle aerosolized NiV undergo similar clinical manifestations of the disease as previously described using liquid inoculum, and exhibit histopathological lesions consistent with NiV patient reports. NiV droplets could therefore play a role in transmission by close contact.

    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
  16. Mun-Fun H, Ferdaos N, Hamzah SN, Ridzuan N, Hisham NA, Abdullah S, et al.
    Res Vet Sci, 2015 Oct;102:89-99.
    PMID: 26412526 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.07.010
    Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are commonly isolated from mid-term amniotic fluid (AF) of animals and human collected via an invasive technique, amniocentesis. Alternatively, AFSCs could be collected at full-term. However, it is unclear whether AFSCs are present in the AF at full term. Here, we aimed to isolate and characterize stem cells isolated from AF of full term pregnant rats. Three stem cell lines have been established following immuno-selection against the stem cell marker, c-kit. Two of the new lines expressed multiple markers of pluripotency until more than passage 90. Further, they spontaneously differentiated into derivatives of the three primary germ layers through the formation of good quality embryoid bodies (EBs), and can be directly differentiated into neural lineage. Their strong stemness and potent neurogenic properties highlight the presence of highly potent stem cells in AF of full-term pregnancies, which could serve as a potential source of stem cells for regenerative medicine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/metabolism
  17. Hun Lee T, Hau Lee C, Alia Azmi N, Kavita S, Wong S, Znati M, et al.
    Chem Biodivers, 2020 Jan;17(1):e1900419.
    PMID: 31721431 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201900419
    This work investigated the polar (PC: protein, amino acid and metabolite) and non-polar (NPC: fatty acid) compounds and bioactivity characteristics of the EBN harvested from the state of Johor in Malaysia. The electrophoretic gels exhibited 15 protein bands (16-173 kD) with unique protein profile. Amino acids analysis by AccQ⋅Tag method revealed 18 types of amino acids in EBN. Metabolite profiling was performed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (HPLC-QTOF/MS) technique and a total of 54 compounds belonging to different groups were detected and identified. These findings help to uncover the relation of therapeutic activity of EBN. The EBN was further extracted with AcOEt and BuOH. The AcOEt extract was fractionated into three fractions (F1 -F3 ), and the high triglyceride content in F2 was verified by gC-FID. The three groups of fatty acids discovered in EBN are 48.43 % of poly-unsaturated (PUFA), 25.35 % of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and 24.74 % of mono-unsaturated fat (MUFA). This is the first time to report results ofEBN, BuOH, and AcOEt extracts and of fraction F2 (TEBN) on their analysis for their antioxidant activities by DPPH, ABTS and catalase assay and for their paraoxonase and anti-tyrosinase activities. The results showed that TEBN exhibited the significant bioactivity in all assays. These findings suggest that TEBN is a good source for natural bioactive compounds in promoting body vigor. Current work widened the content of EBN especially on the triglyceride and also marked the content of specific location (Johor, Malaysia) of EBN origin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Proteins/analysis*; Proteins/chemistry
  18. Azemi NFH, Misnan R, Keong BP, Mokhtar M, Kamaruddin N, Fah WC, et al.
    Mol Biol Rep, 2021 Oct;48(10):6709-6718.
    PMID: 34427887 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06661-x
    BACKGROUND: Tropomyosin is a major allergen in crustaceans, including mud crab species, but its molecular and allergenic properties in Scylla olivacea are not well known. Thus, this study aimed to produce the recombinant tropomyosin protein from S. olivacea and subsequently investigate its IgE reactivity.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: The tropomyosin gene was cloned and expressed in the Escherichia coli system, followed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting test to identify the allergenic potential of the recombinant protein. The 855-base pair of tropomyosin gene produced was found to be 99.18% homologous to Scylla serrata. Its 284 amino acids matched the tropomyosin of crustaceans, arachnids, insects, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, ranging from 79.03 to 95.77%. The tropomyosin contained 89.44% alpha-helix folding with a tertiary structure of two-chain alpha-helical coiled-coil structures comprising a homodimer heptad chain. IPTG-induced histidine tagged-recombinant tropomyosin was purified at the size of 42 kDa and confirmed as tropomyosin using anti-tropomyosin monoclonal antibodies. The IgE binding of recombinant tropomyosin protein was reactive in 90.9% (20/22) of the sera from crab-allergic patients.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study has successfully produced an allergenic recombinant tropomyosin from S. olivacea. This recombinant tropomyosin may be used as a specific allergen for the diagnosis of allergy.

    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/genetics*; Recombinant Proteins/immunology*
  19. Shudirman S, Abang Kassim A, Shamsol Anuar NS, Utsumi M, Shimizu K, Muhammad Yuzir MA, et al.
    J Gen Appl Microbiol, 2021 Jul 31;67(3):92-99.
    PMID: 33642451 DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2020.08.001
    Musty odor production by actinomycetes is usually related to the presence of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), which are synthesized by enzymes encoded by the geoA and tpc genes, respectively. Streptomyces spp. strain S10, which was isolated from a water reservoir in Malaysia, has the ability to produce geosmin when cultivated in a basal salt (BS) solid medium, but no 2-MIB production occurred during growth in BS medium. Strain S10 could produce higher levels of geosmin when the phosphate concentration was limited to 0.05 mg/L, with a yield of 17.53 ± 3.12 ✕ 105 ng/L, compared with growth in BS medium. Interestingly, 2-MIB production was suddenly detected when the nitrate concentration was limited to 1.0 mg/L, with a yield of 1.4 ± 0.11 ✕ 105 ng/L. Therefore, it was concluded that phosphate- and nitrate-limiting conditions could induce the initial production of geosmin and 2-MIB by strain S10. Furthermore, a positive amplicon of geoA was detected in strain S10, but no tpc amplicon was detected by PCR analysis. Draft genome sequence analysis showed that one open reading frame (ORF) contained a conserved motif of geosmin synthase with 95% identity with geoA in Streptomyces coelicolor A3 (2). In the case of the tpc genes, it was found that one ORF showed 23% identity to the known tpc gene in S. coelicolor A3(2), but strain S10 lacked one motif in the N-terminus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
  20. Soga T, Nakajima S, Kawaguchi M, Parhar IS
    PMID: 32739332 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110053
    Extreme stress is closely linked with symptoms of depression. Chronic social stress can cause structural and functional changes in the brain. These changes are associated with dysfunction of neuroprotective signalling that is necessary for cell survival, growth, and maturation. Reduced neuronal numbers and volume of brain regions have been found in depressed patients, which may be caused by decreased cell survival and increased cell death. Elucidating the mechanism underlying the degeneration of the neuroprotective system in social stress-induced depression is important for developing neuroprotective measures. The Repressor Element 1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) also known as Neuron-Restrictive Silencing Factor (NRSF) has been reported as a neuroprotective molecule in certain neurological disorders. Decreased expression levels of REST/NRSF in the nucleus can induce death-related gene expression, leading to neuronal death. Under physiological stress conditions, REST/NRSF over expression is known to activate neuronal survival in the brain. Alterations in REST/NRSF expression in the brain has been reported in stressed animal models and in the post-mortem brain of patients with depression. Here, we highlight the neuroprotective function of REST/NRSF and discuss dysregulation of REST/NRSF and neuronal damage during social stress and depression.
    Matched MeSH terms: Repressor Proteins/genetics; Repressor Proteins/metabolism*
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator ([email protected])

External Links