Molecular cloning and expression profiles of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in mud crab Scylla paramamosain

The importance of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene family is demonstrated by many studies in vertebrates and invertebrates in recent years. However, it keeps unknown of nitric oxide (NO) system and NOS gene family in mud crab Scylla paramamosain, an important cultured commercial crustacean in China and Pacific area. In this report, the cDNA of NOS containing full-length ORF was cloned from mud crab, S. paramamosain. It was of 4424 bp, including a 5′-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 239 bp, a 3′-terminal UTR of 540 bp, which contained two ATTTA motifs, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 3645 bp encoding a polypeptide of 1214 amino acids. Structural analysis indicated that NOS contained a typical NO synthase domain at the N-terminal, next to a flavodoxin 1 domain, a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) binding domain, respectively, and a conservative nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding domain structure at the C-terminal. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed S. paramamosain NOS (SpNOS) to be expressed in all tissues examined, with the highest expression in midintestine and the weakest level in heart and eyestalk. The expression profiles of SpNOS indicated that the NOS expression levels were significantly induced in midintestine, hepatopancrease and hemocytes after challenged with Vibrio Parahaemolyticus, the synthetic double-stranded RNA polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The NOS activity in hemocytes showed significant increase during at 24 h-48 h time period after immune challenges with V. Parahaemolyticus, poly I:C and LPS. Results here may suggest that the inducible NOS play an important role in mud crab’s defense against pathogenic infection.     

A new synthesis of the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys with antimicrobial activity

Summary A new solid phase synthesis of the growth-modulating tripeptide Gly-His-Lys is described. 2-Chlorotrityl chloride resin and 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-(Fmoc), 4-methyltrityl-(Mtt) protecting groups were used. The synthetic tripeptide was tested for its activity against bacteria, yeast and fungi. The in vitro effect of the tripeptide on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis was studied as well.     

Terpenes with antimicrobial activity from Cretan propolis

Five terpenes, the diterpenes: 14,15-dinor-13-oxo-8(17)-labden-19-oic acid and a mixture of labda-8(17),13E-dien-19-carboxy-15-yl oleate and palmitate as well as the triterpenes, 3,4-seco-cycloart-12-hydroxy-4(28),24-dien-3-oic acid and cycloart-3,7-dihydroxy-24-en-28-oic acid were isolated from Cretan propolis. Moreover, 18 known compounds were also isolated, seven of them for the first time as propolis components. All structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. All isolated compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as against some human pathogenic fungi showing a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.     

Endophytic fungi from Chilean native gymnosperms: antimicrobial activity against human and phytopathogenic fungi

Thirty-eight endophytic fungi were isolated from eight Chilean gymnosperms. Isolates were characterized and grouped according to culture characteristics, colony growth, and conidia morphology. Thirteen isolates were identified: Acremonium bacillisporum, A. bactrocephalum, A. strictum, Alternaria alternata, Aureobasidium pullulans, Chaetomium funicola, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Curvularia protuberata, C. tritici, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. janczewskii, and Triblidiopycnis pinastri. Malbranchea and Stegonosporium were identified at the genus level. Fourteen isolates, considered to be sterile mycelia, did not fructify in the culture medium. Crude extracts of liquid cultures from endophytes were examined for antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi using agar diffusion. Antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi was determined by microdilution assays. Extracts of Acremonium bactrocephalum, Microsphaeropsis olivacea, and isolate E-3 inhibited growth of selected pathogenic organisms, indicating they merit further study. This is the first comparative report on the antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi from Chilean gymnosperms.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of the Schiff base from chitosan and citral

Chitosan, a biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic polymer, is prepared from chitin, which is the second most naturally occurring biopolymer after cellulose. The Schiff base of chitosan was synthesized by the reaction of chitosan with citral working under high-intensity ultrasound. The effect of the molar ratio of chitosan to citral, reaction time, and temperature on the yield has been investigated. The optimal conditions were a temperature of 50 °C, a molar ratio of chitosan to citral of 1:6, and a reaction time of 10 h. The maximum yield achieved was 86.4% under optimum conditions. The structure of the Schiff base was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies. The strong peaks at 1648.3 and 1610.6 cm⁻¹ are due to CN and CC stretching vibrations. The results confirmed that amino groups on chitosan reacted with citral to form the Schiff base. The antimicrobial activities of chitosan and Schiff base of chitosan were investigated against Escherichia coil, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. The results indicate that the antimicrobial activity of the Schiff base increases with an increase in the concentration. It was also found that the antimicrobial activity of the Schiff base was stronger than that of chitosan.     

The antimicrobial activity of substances derived from the lichens Physcia aipolia, Umbilicaria polyphylla, Parmelia caperata and Hypogymnia physodes

In this study, in vitro antimicrobial activity of the physodic acid, usnic acid, atranorin and gyrophoric acid isolated from the lichens Hypogymnia physodes, Parmelia caperata, Physcia aipolia and Umbilicaria polyphylla, has been investigated. An antibiotic assessment was done against six bacteria (three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative) and eight fungi by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth tube dilution method. The tested lichen substances inhibited growth of all the tested microorganisms. The bacteria showed a higher sensitivity against the tested fungi. The highest antimicrobial activity was found in the usnic acid of the Parmelia caperata lichen, where the lowest MIC was 0.0037 mg/ml against the Klebsiella pneumoniae (even lower than the one given by the streptomycin standard). The weakest antimicrobial activity was found in the physodic acid, which inhibited most of the microorganisms in the concentration of 1 mg/ml. Generally, all the components had relatively strong antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms, among which were human and animal pathogens. This could be of significance for their use for pharmaceutical purposes.     

Triterpenoids with antimicrobial activity from Drypetes inaequalis

The air-dried stems and ripe fruit of Drypetes inaequalis Hutch. (Euphorbiaceae) were studied. Four triterpene derivatives, characterized as lup-20(29)-en-3β,6α-diol, 3β-acetoxylup-20(29)-en-6α-ol, 3β-caffeoyloxylup-20(29)-en-6α-ol and 28-β d-glucopyranosyl-30-methyl 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28,30-dioate along with 10 known compounds were isolated from the whole stems. One triterpene, characterized as 3α-hydroxyfriedelan-25-al along with six known compounds were isolated from the ripe fruit. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. The triterpenes were tested for antimicrobial activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and two of them appeared to be modestly active.     

Characterization of a heat-stable protein with antimicrobial activity from Arabidopsis thaliana

A heat-stable protein with antimicrobial activity was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana plants by buffer-soluble extraction and two chromatographic procedures. The results of MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that the isolated protein shares high sequence identity with aspen SP1. To determine the exact antimicrobial properties of this protein, a cDNA encoding the protein was isolated from an A. thaliana leaf cDNA library and named AtHS1. AtHS1 mRNA was induced by exposure to external stresses, such as salicylic acid and jasmonic acid. We also analyzed the antimicrobial activity of recombinant AtHS1 expressed in Escherichia coli. This protein inhibited pathogenic fungal strains, except for Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora nicotianae, and it exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These results suggest that AtHS1 shows good potential for use as a natural material in the study of antimicrobial agents.     

Mn3O4 nanoparticles: Synthesis,characterization and their antimicrobial and anticancer activity against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines

Due to their inexpensive and eco-friendly nature, and existence of manganese in various oxidation states and their natural abundance have attained significant attention for the formation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (Mn₃O₄ NPs). Herein, we report the preparation of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles using manganese nitrate as a precursor material by utilization of a precipitation technique. The as-prepared Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (Mn₃O₄ NPs) were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), High-Resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The antimicrobial properties of the as-synthesized Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles were investigated against numerous bacterial and fungal strains including S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, A. flavus and C. albicans. The Mn₃O₄ NPs inhibited the growth of S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/ml and C. albicans with a MIC of 15 μg/ml. Furthermore, the Mn₃O₄ NPs anti-cancer activity was examined using MTT essay against A549 lung and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The Mn₃O₄ NPs revealed significant activity against the examined cancer cell lines A549 and MCF-7. The IC₅₀ values of Mn₃O₄ NPs with A549 cell line was found at concentration of 98 µg/mL and MCF-7 cell line was found at concentration of 25 µg/mL.     

A newly developed assay for the quantitative determination of antimicrobial (anticyanobacterial) activity of both hydrophilic and lipophilic test compounds without any restriction

This paper reports about a newly developed assay which enables the user to quantify and compare the antimicrobial (anticyanobacterial) activity of both hydrophilic and lipophilic test compounds without any restriction. The assay is characterised by the application of a test compound solution on a porous matrix (silica gel) in well-defined concentrations per unit area, and by the coating of this matrix by a concentrated suspension of the tested living cyanobacterium (using a spraying or a dipping technique). The organism was only applied after the complete evaporation of the solvent used for preparation of the test compound solution to avert potential influences of this solvent on micro-organisms' viability. Toxic concentrations of a test compound caused a clearly contoured regional damage in the blue-green coloured uniform layer of the cyanobacterial test organism. The resulting regional decolourisation was readily identifiable within a species-dependent short time (e.g. for the species Arthrospira laxissima after 24h). This newly developed assay is applied for a patent in Germany.     

Antifungal activity of synthetic peptide derived from halocidin, antimicrobial peptide from the tunicate, Halocynthia aurantium

Halocidin is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the hemocytes of the tunicate. Among the several known synthetic halocidin analogues, di-K19Hc has been previously confirmed to have the most profound antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This peptide has been considered to be an effective candidate for the development of a new type of antibiotic. In this study, we have assessed the antifungal activity of di-K19Hc, against a panel of fungi including several strains of Aspergillus and Candida. As a result, we determined that the MICs of di-K19Hc against six Candida albicans and two Aspergillus species were below 4 and 16 microg/ml, respectively, thereby indicating that di-K19Hc may be appropriate for the treatment of several fungal diseases. We also conducted an investigation into di-K19Hc's mode of action against Candida albicans. Our colony count assay showed that di-K19Hc killed C. albicans within 30s. Di-K19Hc bound to the surface of C. albicans via a specific interaction with beta-1,3-glucan, which is one of fungal cell wall components. Di-K19Hc also induced the formation of ion channels within the membrane of C. albicans, and eventually observed cell death, which was confirmed via measurements of the K+ released from C. albicans cells which had been treated with di-K19Hc, as well as by monitoring of the uptake of propidium iodide into the C. albicans cells. This membrane-attacking quality of di-K19Hc was also visualized via confocal laser and scanning electron microscopy.     

金荞麦和苦荞麦抗菌活性内生真菌的筛选及鉴定

从药用植物金荞麦和苦荞麦的根、茎、叶、花中分离到62株内生真菌,并以金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)、枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)[CMCC(B)63501]、小麦赤霉病菌(Fusarium graminearum)、黄瓜枯萎病菌(Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cu-cumerinum)和绵腐病菌(Pythium aphanidermatum)6种微生物为指示菌对分离到的内生真菌进行抗菌活性检测。结果发现,分离的内生真菌菌株KQH-01、KQH-02和JQY-1的发酵醇提取物具有较好的抑菌活性。形态学特征和分子鉴定确定菌株KQH-01为炭角菌属(Xylaria sp.)真菌,菌株KQH-02为球毛壳菌(Chaetomium globosum),菌株JQY-1为葡萄座腔菌(Botryosphaeria dothidea)。     

6-Hydroxyquinolinium salts differing in the length of alkyl side-chain: Synthesis and antimicrobial activity

Quaternary ammonium salts substituted with a long alkyl chain exemplify a trustworthy group of medicinal compounds frequently employed as antifungal and antibacterial agents. A great asset of these surfactants underlying their widespread use is low local and system toxicity in humans. In this Letter, a series of novel quaternary 6-hydroxyquinolinium salts with varying length of N-alkyl chain (from C₁₀ to C₁₈) was synthesized and tested for in vitro activity against pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. 6-Hydroxyquinolinium salt with C12 alkyl chain seems to be very interesting candidate due to a high antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxic safety.     

Molecular cloning and biological characterization of novel antimicrobial peptides, pilosulin 3 and pilosulin 4, from a species of the Australian ant genus Myrmecia

Venom of an Australian ant species of the Myrmecia pilosula species complex (mss. name Myrmecia banksi Taylor) contains two major allergenic peptides, pilosulin 1 and pilosulin 2. To obtain novel cDNA clones that encode the pilosulin-related bioactive peptides, mRNA of another Myrmecia species was subjected to RT-PCR in which the forward primer corresponds to a nucleotide sequence in the leader sequences of pilosulin 1 and pilosulin 2. As a result, we isolated cDNA clones encoding the novel antimicrobial peptides pilosulin 3 and pilosulin 4. The nucleotide and the amino acid sequences of all four pilosulins have high homology except for the mature peptide coding regions. Synthetic pilosulin 3 and pilosulin 4 peptides displayed antimicrobial activity with histamine-releasing and low hemolytic activities.