Two distinct sites of interaction form the calponin: gelsolin complex and two calcium switches control its activity

Gelsolin and calponin are well characterized actin-binding proteins that form a tight gelsolin:calponin complex (GCC). We show here that the GCC is formed through two distinct interfaces. One of these is formed between 144-182 of calponin and 25-150 of gelsolin (G1). The second is a calcium-sensitive site centred on calponin's CH domain, and the C-terminal half of gelsolin (G4-6). The behaviour of this second interface is dependent on the presence of calcium and so it is possible that potential GCC-binding partners may be selected by calcium availability. Actin is one such GCC-binding partner and we show that a larger complex is formed with monomeric actin in calcium. The stoichiometry of this complex is determined to be 1 gelsolin/1 calponin/2 G-actins (GCA(2)). Both actin monomers bind the GCC through gelsolin. Both calponin and gelsolin are reported to play signaling roles in addition to their better-characterized actin-binding properties and it is possible that the GCC regulates both of these functions.     

Design and validation of an orally administrated active L. fermentum-L. acidophilus probiotic formulation using colorectal cancer Apc Min/+ mouse model

Probiotics have been shown to have beneficial properties in attenuating the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, functional evidence to support such effects for some probiotic bacteria are relatively unknown. Here, we document a significant antioxidant, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 314 and Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 on CRC cells, particularly when used in combination (La-Lf). Furthermore, a superior synergistic activity on the inhibition of tumor growth and modulation of cell proliferation and epithelial markers in the Apc ^Min/+ CRC mouse model was explored, based on the expression levels of Ki-67, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) proteins. The anti-cancer activity of La-Lf co-culture was significantly enhanced in vitro with significant reduced proliferation (38.8 ± 6.9 %, P = 0.009) and increased apoptosis (413 RUL, P < 0.001) towards cancer cells, as well as significant protection of normal colon cell growth from toxic treatment (18.6 ± 9.8 %, P = 0.001). La-Lf formulation (10¹⁰cfu/animal/day) altered aspects of intestinal tumorigenesis by significantly reducing intestinal tumor multiplicity (1.7-fold, P = 0.016) and downregulating cellular proliferation markers, including β-catenin (P = 0.041) and Ki-67 (P = 0.008). In conclusion, La-Lf showed greater protection against intestinal tumorigenesis supporting a potential use as a biotherapeutic for the prevention of CRC.

     

Improvement of both lipid and biomass productivities of Qatar Chlorocystis isolate for biodiesel production and food security

Microalgae are considered a very promising alternative for biofuel production. Several strategies were developed to modulate and improve algae metabolites production to meet the requirements for biodiesel production. Most previous research evidenced that the increase of the lipid content is accompanied by a decrease of the biomass production, which increases the cost of the downstream processing. Hence, the challenge is to find special culture conditions that increase the lipid and the biomass productivities simultaneously. In the present work, we developed a strategy for the improvement of biomass and lipid productivities in a novel local microalga isolate, Chlorocystis sp. QUCCCM14, which was not previously known as a promising strain. Indeed, culturing QUCCCM14 using f/2 medium with 10× NaH₂PO₄ (0.15 g L^?1 NaNO₃ and 5.6 mg L^?1 NaH₂PO₄) resulted in an improvement of 3.178 folds the lipid productivity reaching 56.121 mg L^?1 day^?1 and enhanced the biomass productivity reaching 141.363 mg L^?1 day^?1, simultaneously. Comparative analyses of the FAME profiles demonstrated that fed‐batch culture with phosphate or nitrate separately leads to a high production of the omega 3 fatty acids (Linolenic acid), whereas fed‐batch culture with phosphate and nitrate simultaneously increased the production of fatty acids suitable for biodiesel production.     

Cryopreservation of microalgae from desert environments of Qatar

The Qatar University Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae (QUCCCM) is a unique resource containing a diverse collection of microalgae and cyanobacteria, isolated from the Qatar desert environment. In order to ensure maximum preservation of this resource, a number of cryopreservation techniques were applied to various strains, and the preservation effectiveness (cell viability and lipid productivity) was determined. The conditions tested were direct, passive, and freeze-cooling cryopreservation (technique), dimethyl sulfate and methanol (cryoprotectant), and 5 and 10 % cryoprotectant concentrations over storage durations of up to 1 year. It was shown that the cryopreservation regime is strain dependent, and strains belonging to the same genera can have different requirements. On the other hand, neutral lipid estimation, via Nile red fluorescence determination of pre- and post-cryopreserved microalgae isolates, confirmed that the lipid production is affected by the applied cryopreservation method.     

Impacts of nanoparticles and phosphonates in the behavior and oxidative status of the mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

The current study investigated the exposure of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to gold nanoparticles decorated zinc oxide (Au-ZnO NPs) and phosphonate [Diethyl (3-cyano-1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-methylpropyl)] phosphate (PC). The mussels were exposed to concentrations of 50 and 100 µg L^-1 of both compounds alone, as well as to a mixture of both pollutants (i.e. Mix). The singular and the combined effect of each pollutant was investigated by measuring the concentration of various metals (i.e., Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Au) in the the digestive glands and gills of mussels, their filtration capacity (FC), respiration rate (RR) and the response of oxidative biomarkers, respectively, following 14 days of exposure. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and Au increased directly with Au-ZnO NPs in mussel tissues, but significantly only for Zn. In contrast, the mixture of Au-ZnO100 NPs and PC100 did not induce any significant increase in the content of metals in digetsve glands and gills, suggesting antagonistic interactions between contaminants. In addition, FC and RR levels decreased following exposure to Au-ZnO100 NPs and PC100 treatments and no significant alterations were observed after the exposure to 50 µg.L^-1 of both contaminants and Mix. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) level, GSH/GSSG ratio, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities showed significant changes following the exposure to both Au-ZnO NPs and PC, in the gills and the digestive glands of the mussel. However, no significant modifications were observed in both organs following the exposure to Mix. The current study advances the understanding of the toxicity of NPs and phosphonates on M. galloprovincialis and sets the path for future ecotoxicological studies regarding the synergic effects of these substances on marine species. Moreover, the current experiment suggests that the oxidative stress and the neurotoxic pathways are responsive following the exposure of marine invertebrates to both nanoparticles and phosphonates, with potential antagonist interactions of these substances on the physiology of targeted species.     

Phylogenetic perspectives of nitrogen-fixing actinobacteria

It was assumed for a long time that the ability to catalyze atmospheric nitrogen (diazotrophy) has a narrow distribution among actinobacteria being limited to the genus Frankia. Recently, the number of nitrogen fixation (nifH) genes identified in other non-Frankia actinobacteria has dramatically increased and has opened investigation on the origin and emergence of diazotrophy among actinobacteria. During the last decade, Mycobacterium flavum, Corynebacterium autotrophicum and a fluorescent Arthrobacter sp. have been reported to have nitrogenase activity, but these studies have not been further verified. Additional reports of nitrogen fixation by Agromyces, Microbacterium, Corynebacterium and Micromonospora isolated from root nodules of leguminous and actinorhizal plants have increased. For several actinobacteria, nitrogen fixation was demonstrated by the ability to grow on nitrogen-free medium, acetylene reduction activity, ¹⁵N isotope dilution analysis and identification of a nifH gene via PCR amplification. Moreover, the analyses of draft genome sequences of actinobacteria including Slackia exigua, Rothia mucilaginosa and Gordonibacter pamelaeae have also revealed the presence of nifH-like sequences. Whether these nifH sequences are associated with effective nitrogen fixation in these actinobacteria taxa has not yet been demonstrated. These genes may be vertically or horizontally transferred and be silent sequences. These ideas merit further investigation. This minireview presents a phylogenetic comparison of nitrogen fixation gene (nifH) with the aim of elucidating the processes underlying the evolutionary history of this catalytic ability among actinobacteria.     

Cognitive Dissonance Resolution Is Related to Episodic Memory

The notion that our past choices affect our future behavior is certainly one of the most influential concepts of social psychology since its first experimental report in the 50 s, and its initial theorization by Festinger within the “cognitive dissonance” framework. Using the free choice paradigm (FCP), it was shown that choosing between two similarly rated items made subjects reevaluate the chosen items as more attractive and the rejected items as less attractive. However, in 2010 a major work by Chen and Risen revealed a severe statistical flaw casting doubt on most previous studies. Izuma and colleagues (2010) supplemented the traditional FCP with original control conditions and concluded that the effect observed could not be solely attributed to this methodological flaw. In the present work we aimed at establishing the existence of genuine choice-induced preference change and characterizing this effect. To do so, we replicated Izuma et al.’ study and added a new important control condition which was absent from the original study. Moreover, we added a memory test in order to measure the possible relation between episodic memory of choices and observed behavioral effects. In two experiments we provide experimental evidence supporting genuine choice-induced preference change obtained with FCP. We also contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon by showing that choice-induced preference change effects are strongly correlated with episodic memory.