Structure,function, and epigenetic regulation of BNIP3: a pathophysiological relevance

BCL-2 [B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2]/adenovirus E1B 19KD interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is an atypical BH3 domain only containing member of Bcl2 family of proteins. BNIP3 is known to be involved in various cellular processes depending on the cell type and conditions and also shown to play a role in various disease conditions including myocardial ischemia, autophagy and apoptosis. Though its role in autophagy and its pro-death activity have been reported in various studies, recent findings have shown its contradictory role in the regulation of these cellular processes. The various studies have shown its epigenetic regulation in disease development and progression and also found to be cytoprotective. In this review, we have focused on the structural and functional aspects of BNIP3 in relation to recent advances of its role in autophagy and apoptosis. Also its role of epigenetic regulation of several genes involved in various diseases was also discussed.     

Self-regulatory role of 4-hydroxynonenal in signaling for stress-induced programmed cell death

Within the last two decades, 4-hydroxynonenal has emerged as an important second messenger involved in the regulation of various cellular processes. Our recent studies suggest that HNE can induce apoptosis in various cells through the death receptor Fas (CD95)-mediated extrinsic pathway as well as through the p53-dependent intrinsic pathway. Interestingly, through its interaction with the nuclear protein Daxx, HNE can self-limit its apoptotic role by translocating Daxx to cytoplasm where it binds to Fas and inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis. In this paper, after briefly describing recent studies on various biological activities of HNE, based on its interactions with Fas, Daxx, and p53, we speculate on possible mechanisms through which HNE may affect a multitude of cellular processes and draw a parallel between signaling roles of H(2)O(2) and HNE.     

Role of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in human and plant diseases

A resurgence of interest in garlic due to recent revelations of its beneficial effects in the treatment of various human and plant diseases and also due to validation of claims made in traditional systems of medicine has resulted a plethora of publications on different aspects of garlic in recent years. Chemical constituents of garlic and their variations on the methods of isolation have been discussed in the present review. Effect of garlic and its constituents against various human and plant pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms has also been reviewed.     

Effect of antibody modifications on its biomolecular binding as determined by surface plasmon resonance

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based procedure was developed to determine the effect of antibody modifications on its biomolecular binding behavior. Mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) was immobilized on a protein A-functionalized gold-coated SPR chip. Goat anti-mouse IgG and its various commercially available modifications (i.e., conjugated with atto 550, atto 647, tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate [TRITC], horseradish peroxidase [HRP], or biotin) were employed in exactly the same concentration for the detection of mouse IgG. The various modifications of goat anti-mouse IgG decreased its biomolecular binding to mouse IgG in the order of unmodified>HRP-labeled>atto 550-labeled>biotinylated>TRITC-labeled>atto 647-labeled.     

黄原胶(Xanthan Gum)的特性、生产及应用

黄原胶是野油菜黄单孢菌分泌于胞外的中性水溶性多糖。由于其独特的流变性质而有着极其广泛的工业应用。介绍了黄原胶的生产、特性、降解以及应用,并对其应用潜力作了预测。     

Selection of a cold-adapted bacterium for bioremediation of wastewater at low temperatures

Amongst more than 1000 isolates collected in various cold environments, the strain Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus Sp 31.3 has been selected for its ability to grow and to produce exoenzymes at low temperatures, its inability to grow at 37°C, its non-halophilic character and its growth versatility on various media. This non-pathogenic strain displays a strong resistance to desiccation and storage at room temperature and is suitable for the production of freeze-dried bacterial starters. When grown in a synthetic wastewater at 10°C, the strain induces a complete clarification of the turbid medium and efficiently hydrolyses proteins, starch and lipids in the broth. Furthermore, this strain has a remarkable capacity to improve the biodegradability of organic compounds in wastewater as indicated by a BOD₅/COD ratio of 0.7.     

Liquid Chromatographic Resolution of Amino Acid Esters of Acyclovir Including Racemic Valacyclovir on Crown Ether‐Based Chiral Stationary Phases

Valacyclovir, a potential prodrug for the treatment of patients with herpes simplex and herpes zoster, and its analogs were resolved on two chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on (3,3’‐diphenyl‐1,1’‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 covalently bonded to silica gel. In order to find out an appropriate mobile phase condition, various mobile phases consisting of various organic modifiers in water containing various acidic modifiers were applied to the resolution of valacyclovir and its analogs. When 30% acetonitrile in water containing any of 0.05 M, 0.10 M, or 0.15 M perchloric acid was used as a mobile phase, valacyclovir and its analogs were resolved quite well on the two CSPs with the separation factors (α) in the range of 2.49 ~ 6.35 and resolutions (R_S) in the range of 2.95 ~ 12.21. Between the two CSPs, the CSP containing residual silanol protecting n‐octyl groups on the silica surface was found to be better than the CSP containing residual silanol groups. Chirality 27:268–273, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Expression of mutant patatin protein in transgenic tobacco plants: role of glycans and intracellular location.

The influence of N-glycosylation and subcellular compartmentation on various characteristics of a vacuolar glycoprotein is described. One member of the patatin gene family was investigated as a model system. Different glycosylation mutants obtained by destroying the consensus site Asn-X-Ser/Thr by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis were expressed in leaves of transgenic tobacco plants under the control of a light-inducible promoter. The various patatin glycomutants retained their properties in comparison with the wild-type protein with respect to protein stability, subcellular compartmentation, enzymatic activity, and various physicochemical properties studied showing the N-glycosylation not to be essential for any of these characteristics. To test the importance of the cotranslational transport and the subcellular (vacuolar) location for the properties of the patatin protein, another mutant was constructed in which the signal peptide was deleted, leading to its synthesis and accumulation in the cytosol. Biochemical analysis of this protein in comparison with its vacuolar form again revealed no significant differences with respect to its enzymatic activity or its stability in normal vegetative cells. During seed development, however, the cytoplasmic form was more stable than the vacuolar form, indicating the appearance of proteases specific for the protein bodies of developing seeds.     

Decoding telomere protein Rap1: Its telomeric and nontelomeric functions and potential implications in diabetic cardiomyopathy

Mammalian Rap1, the most conserved telomere-interacting protein, beyond its role within nucleus for the maintenance of telomeric functions, is also well known for its pleiotropic functions in various physiological and pathological conditions associated with metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. For all these, nowadays Rap1 is the subject of critical investigations aimed to unveil its molecular signaling pathways and to scrutinize the applicability of its modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy with clinical relevance. However, the underlying intimate mechanisms of Rap1 are not extensively studied, but any modulation of this protein level has been associated with pathologies like inflammation, oxidative stress and deregulated metabolism. This is considerably important in light of the recent discovery of Rap1 modulation in diseases like cancer and cardiac metabolic disorders. In this review, we focus on both the telomeric and nontelomeric functions of Rap1 and its modulation in various health risks, especially on the heart.     

Aggregation of DNA by analogs of spermidine; enzymatic and structural studies.

A homologous series of spermidine analogs, with defined abilities to replace the natural polyamine in supporting cell growth, was examined for its influence on the structure of supercoiled, aggregated DNA and on the ability of the DNA aggregates to act as substrates for various enzymes. The concentration of amine necessary to aggregate negatively supercoiled Col E1 DNA was progressively increased as the diaminobutane moiety of spermidine was extended beyond 5 methylene groups. 1H- and 31P-NMR spectroscopy suggested that less rigid DNA aggregates were formed by spermidine analogs than by spermidine itself. Spermidine and its analogs differentially modulated the activities of bacterial and mammalian type I topoisomerases and EcoRI restriction endonuclease on aggregated DNA in a manner reminiscent of the abilities of the amines to stimulate cell growth. When DNA was not aggregated, the influence of the various amines on these reactions was almost identical. These results are discussed in relation to the structures of the DNA aggregates in the presence of the various triamines.     

Nanofat: A therapeutic paradigm in regenerative medicine

Adipose tissue is a compact and well-organized tissue containing a heterogeneous cellular population of progenitor cells, including mesenchymal stromal cells. Due to its availability and accessibility, adipose tissue is considered a “stem cell depot.” Adipose tissue products possess anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-apoptotic, and immunomodulatory effects. Nanofat, being a compact bundle of stem cells with regenerative and tissue remodeling potential, has potential in translational and regenerative medicine. Considering the wide range of applicability of its reconstructive and regenerative potential, the applications of nanofat can be used in various disciplines. Nanofat behaves on the line of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. At the site of injury, these stromal cells initiate a site-specific reparative response comprised of remodeling of the extracellular matrix, enhanced and sustained angiogenesis, and immune system modulation. These properties of stromal cells provide a platform for the usage of regenerative medicine principles in curbing various diseases. Details about nanofat, including various preparation methods, characterization, delivery methods, evidence on practical applications, and ethical concerns are included in this review. However, appropriate guidelines and preparation protocols for its optimal use in a wide range of clinical applications have yet to be standardized.     

Heterologous expression of rice calnexin (OsCNX) confers drought tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum

Calnexin (CNX) is an integral membrane protein of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and is a critical component of ER quality control machinery. It acts as a chaperone and ensures proper folding of newly synthesised glycoproteins. CNX shares a considerable homology with its luminal counterpart calreticulin (CRT). Together, they constitute CNX/CRT cycle which is imperative for proper folding of nascent proteins. CNX deficient organisms develop severe complications because of improper folding of proteins and consequently ER stress. CNX maintains calcium homeostasis by binding to the Ca²⁺ which is a central node in various signaling pathways. Phosphorylation of cytoplasmic tail of CNX controls the sarco endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase and thus the movement of Ca²⁺ in and out of its store-house, i.e. ER. Our studies on Oryza sativa CNX (OsCNX) reveal constitutive expression at various developmental stages and various tissues, thereby proving its requirement throughout the plant development. Further, its expression under various stress conditions gives an insight of the crosstalk existing between ER stress and abiotic stress signaling. This was confirmed by heterologous expression of OsCNX (OsCNX-HE) in tobacco and the OsCNX-HE lines were observed to exhibit better germination under mannitol stress and survival under dehydration stress conditions. The dehydration tolerance conferred by OsCNX appears to be ABA-dependent pathway.     

Structural development of biological response modifiers based on thalidomide

Thalidomide (N-alpha-phthalimidoglutarimide) is a teratogenic hypnotic/sedative agent which was used widely in the late 1950s and the early 1960s. In spite of its withdrawal from the market because of its severe teratogenicity, there has been a resurgence of interest in the drug in recent years due to its potential usefulness for the treatment of various diseases, including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and various cancers. It has been revealed that thalidomide elicits pleiotropic effects and is a multi-target drug. Our structural development studies of thalidomide, focusing on tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) production-regulating activity, anti-androgenic activity, puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase-inhibiting activity, alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting activity, and inhibitory activities toward some other enzymes, are reviewed in relation to the pharmacological effects of thalidomide.     

Reparative DNA synthesis in the lymphocytes of rats exposed to potassium bichromate and manganese chloride in vivo

The intensity of DNA repair synthesis was studied in rat lymphocytes subjected to the treatment in vivo by various concentrations of potassium bichromate and manganese chloride. It was found that manganese chloride has a direct effect on DNA, causing its damage whereas potassium bichromate has an indirect influence on DNA inhibiting its repair synthesis.     

Trends in inulinase production – a review

This article highlights the research work carried out in the production of inulinases from various inulin substrates using strains of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Inulin is one of the numerous polysaccharides of plant origin that contains glucose or fructose. It is used as a substrate in industrial fermentation processes and in food industries due to its relatively cheap and abundant source for the microbiological production of high-fructose syrups, ethanol and acetone–butanol. The various oligosaccharides derived from inulin also find their application in the medical and dietary sector. The inulinase acts on the β-(2,1)-D-fructoside links in inulin releasing D-fructose. Hence, this article illustrates the capability of various microbes in hydrolyzing the carbon at its optimum nutrient concentration and operating condition towards inulinase production.     

莱菌（Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)subcbn I基因的遗传学性质分析

通过将莱茵衣藻回复合成叶绿素ｂ能力的１４种回复突变株和野生型杂文并对其后代进行四分子分析与随机分析,发现导致回复突变的抑制基因ｓｕｂ位于第一染色体,并根据其连锁程度的不同初步鉴定出５个同功能的非等位ｓｕｂ基因。杂交分析表明ｓｕｂ基因不具有等位专一性,以及在促使ｃｂｎＩ基因重新获得合成叶绿素ｂ的能力的过程中具有单一基因决定性状的特点,不同的ｓｕｂ基因具有其独立的表型效应。ｓｕｂ／Ｓｕｂ杂合二倍体的表型分析证明ｓｕｂ基因是显性突变基因。多个非等位ｓｕｂ基因的存在及其上述特点,都显示出叶绿素ｂ的生物合成,可能存在多种途径或多种调控方式。