Site-directed chemically-modified magnetic enzymes: fabrication,improvements, biotechnological applications and future prospects

Numerous enzymes of biotechnological importance have been immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) via random multipoint attachment, resulting in a heterogeneous protein population with potential reduction in activity due to restriction of substrate access to the active site. Several chemistries are now available, where the modifier can be linked to a single specific amino acid in a protein molecule away from the active-site, thus enabling free access of the substrate. However, rarely these site-selective approaches have been applied to immobilize enzymes on nanoparticles. In this review, for the first time, we illustrate how to adapt site-directed chemical modification (SDCM) methods for immobilizing enzymes on iron-based MNP. These strategies are mainly chemical but may additionally require genetic and enzymatic methods. We critically examine each method and evaluate their scope for simple, quick, efficient, mild and economical immobilization of enzymes on MNP. The improvements in the catalytic properties of few available examples of immobilized enzymes are also discussed. We conclude the review with the applications and future prospects of site-selectively modified magnetic enzymes and potential benefits of this technology in improving enzymes, including cold-adapted homologues, modular enzymes, and CO₂-sequestering, as well as non-iron based nanomaterials.     

The nanotechnology among US: are metal and metal oxides nanoparticles a nano or mega risk for soil microbial communities?

Metal nanoparticles and metal oxides nanoparticles (MNPs/MONPs) have been widely included in a great diversity of products and industrial applications and they are already a part of our everyday life. According to estimation studies, their production is expected to increase exponentially in the next few years. Consequently, soil has been suggested as the main sink of MNPs/MONPs once they are deliberately or accidentally released into the environment. The potential negative perturbations that may result on soil microbial communities and ecological processes are resulting in concerns. Several nano-toxicological studies of MNPs/MONPs, reported so far, have focused on aquatic organisms, animals, and soil invertebrates. However, during recent years, the studies have been oriented to understand the effects of MNPs/MONPs on microbial communities and their interaction with soil components. The studies have suggested that MNPs/MONPs are one of the most toxic type to soil biota, amongst different types of nanomaterials. This may threaten soil health and fertility, since microbial communities are known to support important biological processes and ecosystem services such as the nutrient cycling, whereby their protection against the environmental pollution is imperative. Therefore, in this review we summarize the actual knowledge available from the last five years (2013–2018) and gaps about the potential negative, positive or neutral effects produced on soil by different classes of MNPs/MONPs. A particular emphasis has been placed on the associated soil microorganisms and biological processes. Finally, perspectives about future research are discussed.     

MicroRNA-205 affects mouse granulosa cell apoptosis and estradiol synthesis by targeting CREB1

MicroRNA-205 (miR-205) is involved in various physiological and pathological processes, but its biological function in follicular atresia remains unclear. In this study, we investigated miR-205 expression in mouse granulosa cells (mGCs) and analyzed its functions in primary mGCs by performing a series of in vitro experiments. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that miR-205 expression was significantly higher in early atretic follicles and progressively atretic follicles than in healthy follicles. miR-205 overexpression in mGCs significantly promoted apoptosis and caspase-3/9 activities, as well as inhibited estrogen (E2) release and cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A polypeptide 1 (CYP19A1, a key gene in E2 production) expression. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays revealed that the gene encoding cyclic AMP response element (CRE)-binding protein 1 (CREB1) was a direct target of miR-205 in mGCs. CREB1 upregulation partially rescued the effects of miR-205 on apoptosis, caspase-3/9 activities, E2 production, and CYP19A1 expression on mGCs. These results indicate that miR-205 might play an important role in ovarian follicular development and provide new insights into follicular atresia     

Carbohydrate-based heteronuclear complexes as topoisomerase Iα inhibitor: approach toward anticancer chemotherapeutics

Due to the critical role of cellular enzymes necessary for cell proliferation by deciphering topological hurdles in the process of DNA replication, topoisomerases have been one of the major targets in the anticancer drug development area. A need, therefore, arises for new metallodrugs that specifically recognizes DNA and inhibits the activity of topoisomerase enzymes, herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of new metal-based glycoconjugate entities containing heterobimetallic core Cu^II–Sn^IV (1) and Ni^II–Sn^IV (2) derived from N-glycoside ligand (L). The optimized structure of complex 1 and other significant vibrational modes have been explained using dispersion corrected B3LYP/DFT calculations. In vitro DNA binding profile of the L and both the complexes 1 and 2 were done by various biophysical studies. Complex 1 breaks pBR322 DNA via a hydrolytic means which was validated by T4 DNA enzymatic assay. To get a mechanistic insight of mode of action topoisomerase I (Topo I) inhibition assay was carried out. Also, we have taken the help of molecular modeling studies in accordance with experimental findings. In vitro cytotoxicity of the complex 1 was evaluated against a panel of cancer cells which exhibited remarkably good anticancer activity (GI₅₀ values <10 μg/ml). Moreover, intracellular localization of the complex 1 was visualized by confocal microscopy against HeLa cells.     

小地老虎食诱剂糖醋酒液配方筛选及发酵增效作用

【目的】为筛选和规范诱集小地老虎Agrotis ipsilon成虫的最佳糖醋酒液配方及最佳发酵时间,确定发酵液中的挥发物成分。【方法】优选以单一纯物质糖、醋、酒和水进行混配的配方A, B, C和D, 其配比分别为蔗糖(g)∶乙酸(mL)∶无水乙醇(mL)∶纯水(mL)(m/v/v/v)=3∶1∶3∶80, 3∶1∶3∶160, 3∶1∶6∶80和1∶1∶3∶80及常见配方E［白糖(g)∶白醋(mL)∶白酒(mL)∶自来水(mL)= 6∶3∶1∶10(m/v/v/v)］,分别并采用Y型嗅觉仪及GC-MS测试和分析小地老虎成虫对发酵1~15 d后的糖醋酒液的趋性及发酵液中的挥发物成分。【结果】趋性试验结果表明,糖醋酒液B配方对小地老虎诱集效果显著优于A, C, D和E配方,C配方次之。小地老虎成虫对B和C这两种配方发酵8 d发酵液的选择反应率均显著高于对未发酵及发酵5 d和7 d外的其他发酵时间发酵液的选择反应率。挥发物成分组成分析结果显示,糖醋酒液B配方发酵8 d发酵液的挥发物共有41种化合物,主要包括17种烃类化合物、8种醛类化合物、2种酮类化合物、4种醇类化合物、5种酯类化合物和5种醚类化合物。而且发酵8 d的糖醋酒液B配方与其未发酵以及发酵4 d和发酵12 d的糖醋酒液B配方之间的挥发物成分差异较大。【结论】优选并明确单一物质糖、醋、酒和水进行混配的小地老虎食诱剂配方(3∶1∶3∶160, m/v/v/v),其糖醋酒液通过发酵可以产生增效作用,最佳发酵时间为8 d。