Characterization of Leishmania donovani aquaporins shows presence of subcellular aquaporins similar to tonoplast intrinsic proteins of plants

Leishmania donovani, a protozoan parasite, resides in the macrophages of the mammalian host. The aquaporin family of proteins form important components of the parasite-host interface. The parasite-host interface could be a potential target for chemotherapy. Analysis of L. major and L. infantum genomes showed the presence of five aquaporins (AQPs) annotated as AQP9 (230aa), AQP putative (294aa), AQP-like protein (279aa), AQP1 (314aa) and AQP-like protein (596aa). We report here the structural modeling, localization and functional characterization of the AQPs from L. donovani. LdAQP1, LdAQP9, LdAQP2860 and LdAQP2870 have the canonical NPA-NPA motifs, whereas LdAQP putative has a non-canonical NPM-NPA motif. In the carboxyl terminal to the second NPA box of all AQPs except AQP1, a valine/alanine residue was found instead of the arginine. In that respect these four AQPs are similar to tonoplast intrinsic proteins in plants, which are localized to intracellular organelles. Confocal microscopy of L. donovani expressing GFP-tagged AQPs showed an intracellular localization of LdAQP9 and LdAQP2870. Real-time PCR assays showed expression of all aquaporins except LdAQP2860, whose level was undetectable. Three-dimensional homology modeling of the AQPs showed that LdAQP1 structure bears greater topological similarity to the aquaglyceroporin than to aquaporin of E. coli. The pore of LdAQP1 was very different from the rest in shape and size. The cavity of LdAQP2860 was highly irregular and undefined in geometry. For functional characterization, four AQP proteins were heterologously expressed in yeast. In the fps1Δ yeast cells, which lacked the key aquaglyceroporin, LdAQP1 alone displayed an osmosensitive phenotype indicating glycerol transport activity. However, expression of LdAQP1 and LdAQP putative in a yeast gpd1Δ strain, deleted for glycerol production, conferred osmosensitive phenotype indicating water transport activity or aquaporin function. Our analysis for the first time shows the presence of subcellular aquaporins and provides structural and functional characterization of aquaporins in Leishmania donovani.     

NSAIDs may regulate EGR-1-mediated induction of reactive oxygen species and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gene (NAG)-1 to initiate intrinsic pathway of apoptosis for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer

This study aims to investigate the unclear molecular relationship involved in the activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and NSAID-activated gene-1 (NAG-1) induction as a putative target in NSAIDs-mediated chemoprevention of colorectal cancer. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with a colon-specific pro-carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride to achieve the early stages of colorectal cancer. Histopathological examination was performed for the analysis of neoplastic lesions while flow cytometry was performed for the relative quantification of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), differential mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP or ΔΨ _M), and apoptotic events. Various target biomolecules were analyzed either for their mRNA or protein expression profiles via RT-PCR and quantitative Real-Time PCR, or Western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. Enhanced gene as well as protein expression of pro-apoptotic agents was observed with the daily oral administration of two NSAIDs viz. Sulindac (cyclooxygenase (COX)-non-specific) and Celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor). A significant increase in early growth response-1 (EGR-1) protein expression and nuclear localization in NSAIDs co-administered animals may have positively regulated the expression of NAG-1 with a significant enhancement of intracellular ROS in turn decreasing the ΔΨ _M to initiate apoptosis. In silico molecular docking analysis also showed that Sulindac and Celecoxib can block the active site pocket of B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL, anti-apoptotic transmembrane mitochondrial protein) which could be a putative mechanism followed by these NSAIDs to overcome anti-apoptotic properties of the molecule. NSAIDs-mediated up-regulation of EGR-1 and thereby NAG-1 along with implication of higher ROS load may positively regulate the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis for the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.     

On some biochemical physiognomies of two common Darjeeling tea cultivars in relation to blister blight disease

Abstract

Tea, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, an agro-based industry, is considered as one of the prime sector of exporting resources and thus considered as “cash-crop”. Earlier report shows that tea is native to eastern and northern India, which was cultivated and consumed there since long back. Presently, more scientific reports confirmed the health-benefit traits of tea and awareness increased to a greater extent and in this regard, tea has gained its best worldwide popularity. Darjeeling Tea attained its highest acceptance globally for its pre-eminence in flavour, colour and taste and thus crop improvement is the prime interest to the Indian Scientific Community. Blister blight disease, a common disorder of tea bushes (Exobasidium vexans, a Basidiomycetes fungus) causes drastic damage of tea plantation. Depending on quality production, two common cultivars were released by TRA, Jorhat, Assam viz. Bannockburn – 157 (B-157) and Ambei Valai - 2 (AV-2), of which B-157 is susceptible to the Blister Blight and AV-2 is fairly resistant cultivar. Some biochemical considerations between the two cultivars have been made here for understanding the biochemical reasons behind the resistant characteristics. Plant secondary metabolites, like total phenol, proanthocynadin, total soluble protein provide defending feature against disease onset. AV-2 cultivar shows advantage over B-157 in these regard. Depending on band intensity analysis of native gels, acid phosphatase, catechol oxidase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase occur in superior amount in AV-2 cultivar than that of B-157. The specific role of these enzymes in blister blight disease compatibility of two cultivars studied has been discussed.     

First Evidence of Sternal Wound Biofilm following Cardiac Surgery

Management of deep sternal wound infection (SWI), a serious complication after cardiac surgery with high morbidity and mortality incidence, requires invasive procedures such as, debridement with primary closure or myocutaneous flap reconstruction along with use of broad spectrum antibiotics. The purpose of this clinical series is to investigate the presence of biofilm in patients with deep SWI. A biofilm is a complex microbial community in which bacteria attach to a biological or non-biological surface and are embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance. Biofilm related infections represent a major clinical challenge due to their resistance to both host immune defenses and standard antimicrobial therapies. Candidates for this clinical series were patients scheduled for a debridement procedure of an infected sternal wound after a cardiac surgery. Six patients with SWI were recruited in the study. All cases had marked dehiscence of all layers of the wound down to the sternum with no signs of healing after receiving broad spectrum antibiotics post-surgery. After consenting patients, tissue and/or extracted stainless steel wires were collected during the debridement procedure. Debrided tissues examined by Gram stain showed large aggregations of Gram positive cocci. Immuno-fluorescent staining of the debrided tissues using a specific antibody against staphylococci demonstrated the presence of thick clumps of staphylococci colonizing the wound bed. Evaluation of tissue samples with scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging showed three-dimensional aggregates of these cocci attached to the wound surface. More interestingly, SEM imaging of the extracted wires showed attachment of cocci aggregations to the wire metal surface. These observations along with the clinical presentation of the patients provide the first evidence that supports the presence of biofilm in such cases. Clinical introduction of the biofilm infection concept in deep SWI may advance the current management strategies from standard antimicrobial therapy to anti-biofilm strategy.     

Tetraspanin protein contributions to cancer

Among the 33 human tetraspanin proteins, CD151, CD9 and Tspan12 play particularly important roles in cancer. Tetraspanin CD151, in partnership with integrins α6β1 and α6β4, modulates tumour cell growth, invasion, migration, metastasis, signalling and drug sensitivity. Tetraspanin CD9 has suppressor functions in multiple tumour cell types. Major CD9 partner proteins, such as EWI-2 and EWI-F, may modulate these tumour-suppressor functions. Tetraspanin Tspan12 mutations are linked to a human disease called familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. In addition, as a regulator of the metalloprotease ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10) maturation and function, Tspan12 probably contributes to the pro-tumorigenic functions of ADAM10.     

Differential roles of hypoxia inducible factor subunits in multipotential stromal cells under hypoxic condition

Cell therapy with bone marrow multipotential stromal cells (MSCs) represents a promising approach to promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. MSCs expanded in vitro lose early progenitors with differentiation and therapeutic potentials under normoxic condition, whereas hypoxic condition promotes MSC self-renewal through preserving colony forming early progenitors and maintaining undifferentiated phenotypes. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) pathway is a crucial signaling pathway activated in hypoxic condition. We evaluated the roles of HIFs in MSC differentiation, colony formation, and paracrine activity under hypoxic condition. Hypoxic condition reversibly decreased osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Decrease of osteogenic differentiation depended on HIF pathway; whereas decrease of adipogenic differentiation depended on the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR), but not HIFs. Hypoxia-mediated increase of MSC colony formation was not HIF-dependent also. Hypoxic exposure increased secretion of VEGF, HGF, and basic FGF in a HIF-dependent manner. These findings suggest that HIF has a limited, but pivotal role in enhancing MSC self-renewal and growth factor secretions under hypoxic condition.     

Growth and metastases of human lung cancer are inhibited in mouse xenografts by a transition state analogue of 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase

The S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) salvage enzyme 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) has been implicated as both a cancer target and a tumor suppressor. We tested these hypotheses in mouse xenografts of human lung cancers. AdoMet recycling from 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) was blocked by inhibition of MTAP with methylthio-DADMe-Immucillin-A (MTDIA), an orally available, nontoxic, picomolar transition state analogue. Blood, urine, and tumor levels of MTA increased in response to MTDIA treatment. MTDIA treatment inhibited A549 (human non-small cell lung carcinoma) and H358 (human bronchioloalveolar non-small cell lung carcinoma cells) xenograft tumor growth in immunodeficient Rag2(-/-)γC(-/-) and NCr-nu mice. Systemic MTA accumulation is implicated as the tumor-suppressive metabolite because MTDIA is effective for in vivo treatment of A549 MTAP(-/-) and H358 MTAP(+/+) tumors. Tumors from treated mice showed increased MTA and decreased polyamines but little alteration in AdoMet, methionine, or adenine levels. Gene expression profiles of A549 tumors from treated and untreated mice revealed only modest alterations with 62 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated mRNAs (≥ 3-fold). MTDIA antitumor activity in xenografts supports MTAP as a target for lung cancer therapy.     

A stability boundary based method for finding saddle points on potential energy surfaces.

The task of finding saddle points on potential energy surfaces plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of a micromolecule as well as in studying the folding pathways of macromolecules like proteins. The problem of finding the saddle points on a high dimensional potential energy surface is transformed into the problem of finding decomposition points of its corresponding nonlinear dynamical system. This paper introduces a new method based on TRUST-TECH (TRansformation Under STability reTained Equilibria CHaracterization) to compute saddle points on potential energy surfaces using stability boundaries. Our method explores the dynamic and geometric characteristics of stability boundaries of a nonlinear dynamical system. A novel trajectory adjustment procedure is used to trace the stability boundary. Our method was successful in finding the saddle points on different potential energy surfaces of various dimensions. A simplified version of the algorithm has also been used to find the saddle points of symmetric systems with the help of some analytical knowledge. The main advantages and effectiveness of the method are clearly illustrated with some examples. Promising results of our method are shown on various problems with varied degrees of freedom.     

J-protein co-chaperone Sis1 required for generation of [RNQ+] seeds necessary for prion propagation

Yeast prions are protein-based genetic elements capable of self-perpetuation. One such prion, [RNQ(+)], requires the J-protein Sis1, an Ssa Hsp70 co-chaperone, as well as the AAA+ ATPase, Hsp104, for its propagation. We report that, upon depletion of Sis1, as well as upon inactivation of Hsp104, Rnq1 aggregates increased in size. Subsequently, cells having large aggregates, as well as an apparently soluble pool of Rnq1, became predominant in the cell population. Newly synthesized Rnq1 localized to both aggregates and bulk cytosol, suggesting that nascent Rnq1 partitioned into pools of prion and nonprion conformations, and implying that these large aggregates were still active as seeds. Ultimately, soluble Rnq1 predominated, and the prion was lost from the population. Our data suggest a model in which J-protein:Hsp70 machinery functions in prion propagation, in conjunction with Hsp104. Together, these chaperones facilitate fragmentation of prion polymers, generating a sufficient number of seeds to allow efficient conversion of newly synthesized Rnq1 into the prion conformation.