Evaluation of the cytotoxic,anticancer, and genotoxic activities of Acacia nilotica flowers and their effects on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced genotoxicity in mice

Molecular Biology Reports - In this study, two main research objectives were examined: (1) the cytotoxic and anticancer activities of the aqueous methanol extract from Acacia nilotica flowers on...     

PP1, PKA and DARPP-32 in breast cancer: A retrospective assessment of protein and mRNA expression

Cyclic AMP–dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) are proteins involved in numerous essential signalling pathways that modulate physiological and pathological functions. Both PP1 and PKA can be inhibited by dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein 32 kD (DARPP-32). Using immunohistochemistry, PKA and PP1 expression was determined in a large primary breast tumour cohort to evaluate associations between clinical outcome and clinicopathological criteria (n > 1100). In addition, mRNA expression of PKA and PP1 subunits was assessed in the METABRIC data set (n = 1980). Low protein expression of PKA was significantly associated with adverse survival of breast cancer patients; interestingly, this relationship was stronger in ER-positive breast cancer patients. PP1 protein expression was not associated with patient survival. PKA and PP1 subunit mRNA was also assessed; PPP1CA, PRKACG and PRKAR1B were associated with breast cancer–specific survival. In patients with high expression of DARPP-32, low expression of PP1 was associated with adverse survival when compared to high expression in the same group. PKA expression and PP1 expression are of significant interest in cancer as they are involved in a wide array of cellular processes, and these data indicate PKA and PP1 may play an important role in patient outcome.     

Inhibitory activity of black mulberry (Morus nigra) extract against testicular,liver and kidney toxicity induced by paracetamol in mice

Molecular Biology Reports - Black mulberry (Morus nigra) leaves is broadly used in traditional medicine worldwide. However, there are no scientific reports regarding testicular protection,...     

Isolation of oligomeric proanthocyanidins from flavonoid-producing cell cultures

Summary The extraction, fractionation, and chromatographic separation of a series of proanthocyanidin monomers and oligomers were facilitated using a flavonoid-rich cell culture of Vaccinium pahalae Skottsberg as the donor tissue. The cell cultures, after exposure to light, readily accumulated anthocyanin pigments and other flavonoids in relatively large amounts, with minimal concurrent production of pectins, enzymes, and complex sugars produced in field-grown Vaccinium berries. The absence of these interfering compounds greatly simplified the isolation and purification of proanthocyanidins and other phenolic compounds from cell cultures, primarily using vacuum chromatography. Subsequently, the structures and molecular weights of several individual compounds and the general composition of unresolved fractions were established with ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR and MS. The initial extract of V. pahalae cell cultures was readily fractionated on silica gel to yield a series of fractions containing proanthocyanidin B-2, a series of increasingly polar proanthocyanidin oligomers ranging from dimers to heptamers largely based on (−)-epicatechin structures (some with A-type linkages), a mixture of E- and Z-p-coumaric acid, the corresponding 4-O-glucoside, and other compounds containing E- and Z-p-coumaric acid moieties. Cell culture extracts demonstrated broad antioxidant capacity and significant ability to inhibit tumor promotion in vitro, as indicated in an ornithine decarboxylase assay.     

Genetic variation among pumpkin landraces based on seed qualities and molecular markers

Molecular Biology Reports - Germplasm identification is an essential connection linking the conservation and exploitation of crop genetic resources in several plant breeding programs. This study...