Using the concept of Chou's pseudo amino acid composition for risk type prediction of human papillomaviruses

High-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiological agents in nearly all cases (99.7%) of cervical cancer, and the HPV E6 protein is one of the two viral oncoproteins which is expressed in virtually all HPV-positive cancers. Therefore, classifying the risk type of HPVs is very useful and necessary for diagnosis and remedy of cervical cancer. To predict and to classify the risk types of HPV by bioinformatics analysis, 96 E6 protein sequences from available databases were obtained. To investigate the risk type of these sequences, PseAAC server, ROC curves and statistical analysis were applied. Our classification was based on some characters of HPV E6 proteins, such as hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, side chain mass, PK of the α-COOH group, PK of the α-NH3⁺ group and PI at 25 °C. Risk type of 4 unknown HPV types and 25 non-reported HPV types were also predicted. These results show that bioinformatics based theoretical approaches can direct and simplify experimental studies.     

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from humans and animals in Iran

Isolates of Cryptosporidium spp. from human and animal hosts in Iran were characterized on the basis of both the 18S rRNA gene and the Laxer locus. Three Cryptosporidium species, C. hominis, C. parvum, and C. meleagridis, were recognized, and zoonotically transmitted C. parvum was the predominant species found in humans.     

Stomatal malfunctioning under low VPD conditions: induced by alterations in stomatal morphology and leaf anatomy or in the ABA signaling?

Exposing plants to low VPD reduces leaf capacity to maintain adequate water status thereafter. To find the impact of VPD on functioning of stomata, stomatal morphology and leaf anatomy, fava bean plants were grown at low (L, 0.23 kPa) or moderate (M, 1.17 kPa) VPDs and some plants that developed their leaves at moderate VPD were then transferred for 4 days to low VPD (M→L). Part of the M→L‐plants were sprayed with ABA (abscisic acid) during exposure to L. L‐plants showed bigger stomata, larger pore area, thinner leaves and less spongy cells compared with M‐plants. Stomatal morphology (except aperture) and leaf anatomy of the M→L‐plants were almost similar to the M‐plants, while their transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were identical to that of L‐plants. The stomatal response to ABA was lost in L‐plants, but also after 1‐day exposure of M‐plants to low VPD. The level of foliar ABA sharply decreased within 1‐day exposure to L, while the level of ABA‐GE (ABA‐glucose ester) was not affected. Spraying ABA during the exposure to L prevented loss of stomatal closing response thereafter. The effect of low VPD was largely depending on exposure time: the stomatal responsiveness to ABA was lost after 1‐day exposure to low VPD, while the responsiveness to desiccation was gradually lost during 4‐day exposure to low VPD. Leaf anatomical and stomatal morphological alterations due to low VPD were not the main cause of loss of stomatal closure response to closing stimuli.     

Relationship between the Structure and Chaperone Activity of Human αA-Crystallin after Its Modification with Diabetes-Associated Oxidative Agents and Protective Role of Antioxidant Compounds

Biochemistry (Moscow) - The study was aimed to evaluate the impact of peroxynitrite (PON, oxidative stress agent in diabetes), methylglyoxal (MGO, diabetes-associated reactive carbonyl compound),...     

Centrifugal isolation of SARS-CoV-2: numerical simulation for purification of hospitals’ air

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - Coronavirus and its spread all over the world have been the most challenging crisis in 2020. Hospitals are categorized among the most vulnerable...     

Genetic analysis of acd6-1 reveals complex defense networks and leads to identification of novel defense genes in Arabidopsis

Pathogen infection leads to the activation of defense signaling networks in plants. To study these networks and the relationships between their components, we introduced various defense mutations into acd6-1 , a constitutive gain-of-function Arabidopsis mutant that is highly disease resistant. acd6-1 plants show spontaneous cell death, reduced stature, and accumulate high levels of camalexin (an anti-fungal compound) and salicylic acid (SA; a signaling molecule). Disruption of several defense genes revealed that in acd6-1 , SA levels/signaling were positively correlated with the degree of disease resistance and defense gene expression. Salicylic acid also modulates the severity of cell death. However, accumulation of camalexin in acd6-1 is largely unaffected by reducing the level of SA. In addition, acd6-1 shows ethylene- and jasmonic acid-mediated signaling that is antagonized and therefore masked by the presence of SA. Mutant analysis revealed a new relationship between the signaling components NPR1 and PAD4 and also indicated that multiple defense pathways were required for phenotypes conferred by acd6-1 . In addition, our data confirmed that the size of acd6-1 was inversely correlated with SA levels/signaling. We exploited this unique feature of acd6-1 to identify two genes disrupted in acd6-1 suppressor ( sup ) mutants: one encodes a known SA biosynthetic component (SID2) and the other encodes an uncharacterized putative metalloprotease (At5g20660). Taken together, acd6-1 is a powerful tool not only for dissecting defense regulatory networks but also for discovering novel defense genes.     

Antibiotics and the post-genome revolution

The emergence of pathogenic bacteria resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents is turning into a major crisis in human and veterinary medicine. This necessitates a serious re-evaluation of our approaches toward antibacterial drug discovery and use. Concurrent advances in genomics including whole-genome sequencing, genotyping, and gene expression profiling have the potential to transform our basic understanding of antimicrobial pathways and lead to the discovery of novel targets and therapeutics.     

IL-35, a double-edged sword in cancer

Interleukin 35 (IL-35), a cytokine mainly produced by regulatory T cells (Treg cells), is composed of an Epstein-Barr virus–induced gene 3 β-chain and an IL-12 p35 α-chain. IL-35 causes tumorigenicity in cancer, protects cancer cells against apoptosis, and facilitates cancer progression. However, a few reports have referred to its contradictory roles in cancer prevention. Therefore, the exact purpose of this cytokine in cancer development has become a fundamental question that needs to be answered. In this review, we explain the structure of IL-35 and its receptors and their different signaling pathways. Finally, the function of IL-35 in some cancers and the possible application of this cytokine in approaches for cancer therapy have been discussed.     

Alteration in the Expression of Parkinson’s-Related Genes in Rat Hippocampus by Exercise and Morphine Treatments

Russian Journal of Genetics - Parkinson’s disease (PD) as a genetically heterogeneous disease is the second common neurological disorder which is associated with motor deficits and dementia...