Candida albicans PEP12 Is Required for Biofilm Integrity and In Vivo Virulence

To investigate the role of the prevacuolar secretion pathway in biofilm formation and virulence in Candida albicans, we cloned and analyzed the C. albicans homolog of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prevacuolar trafficking gene PEP12. C. albicans PEP12 encodes a deduced t-SNARE that is 28% identical to S. cerevisiae Pep12p, and plasmids bearing C. albicans PEP12 complemented the abnormal vacuolar morphology and temperature-sensitive growth of an S. cerevisiae pep12 null mutant. The C. albicans pep12 Δ null mutant was defective in endocytosis and vacuolar acidification and accumulated 40- to 60-nm cytoplasmic vesicles near the plasma membrane. Secretory defects included increased extracellular proteolytic activity and absent lipolytic activity. The pep12Δ null mutant was more sensitive to cell wall stresses and antifungal agents than the isogenic complemented strain or the control strain DAY185. Notably, the biofilm formed by the pep12Δ mutant was reduced in overall mass and fragmented completely upon the slightest disturbance. The pep12Δ mutant was markedly reduced in virulence in an in vitro macrophage infection model and an in vivo mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. These results suggest that C. albicans PEP12 plays a key role in biofilm integrity and in vivo virulence.In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, distinct secreted marker proteins are trafficked differentially through a prevacuolar compartment (PVC) prior to exocytosis (14). Furthermore, prevacuolar protein sorting genes play an important role in cargo transport in the prevacuolar branch of the exocytic pathway in S. cerevisiae (13, 15). By isolating dense- and light-vesicle populations in S. cerevisiae vps1 sec6-4, vps4 sec6-4, and pep12 sec6-4 mutants, it was observed that mutants blocked in this prevacuolar pathway missort marker proteins that are normally found in high-density post-Golgi compartment vesicles into low-density vesicles (15). Gurunathan et al. (13) also demonstrated these findings for vps1 and pep12 mutants with a late secretory mutant (snc1) background similar to that of the sec6-4 strains. These results indicate that some exocytic cargo, including the conditionally regulated soluble secretory proteins invertase and acid phosphatase, are differentially sorted through a PVC prior to exocytosis in the model yeast S. cerevisiae.To study the prevacuolar branch of exocytosis in Candida albicans and its role in virulence, we have previously cloned and analyzed the C. albicans prevacuolar trafficking genes VPS1 and VPS4. We demonstrated that C. albicans VPS4 is required for extracellular secretion of Sap2p and Sap4-6p and for virulence in an in vivo model of disseminated candidiasis (19, 20). C. albicans VPS1 is required for Sap2p secretion and biofilm formation (4). Interestingly, although the C. albicans null mutant lacking VPS4 forms a biofilm that is denser than that formed by the isogenic reintegrant strain, the conditional mutant lacking VPS1 expression forms a patchy biofilm of reduced density (4, 34). Thus, it appears that interference with normal prevacuolar trafficking affects both the secretion of virulence-associated proteins and biofilm formation.S. cerevisiae PEP12 encodes a 288-amino-acid syntaxin which regulates docking of Golgi compartment-derived transport vesicles at the PVC (3). Pep12p interacts with the v-SNARE Vti1p, and overexpression of Pep12p suppresses extracellular missorting of carboxypeptidase in the vti1 mutant (37). The S. cerevisiae pep12 null mutant displays a temperature-sensitive growth defect and is characterized by an enlarged vacuole with morphology defined as class D (3). A search of the C. albicans genome database identified a structural homolog of S. cerevisiae PEP12. Thus, the experiments described below were designed to determine whether the C. albicans PEP12 homolog is functionally homologous to S. cerevisiae PEP12 and to investigate its role in secretion, biofilm formation, and virulence.     

Alleviation of cadmium phytotoxicity through melatonin modulated physiological functions,antioxidants, and metabolites in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

BioMetals - The rising concentration of cadmium (Cd) builds a harmful effect on human and plant health associated with food chain contagion. Melatonin (MT) is an indole compound. Hence, the...     

Assessment of resistomycin,as an anticancer compound isolated and characterized from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces aurantiacus</Emphasis> AAA5

A new actinomycete strain, isolated from humus soils in the Western Ghats, was found to be an efficient pigment producer. The strain, designated AAA5, was identified as a putative Streptomyces aurantiacus strain based on cultural properties, morphology, carbon source utilization, and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The strain produced a reddish-brown pigmented compound during the secondary metabolites phase. A yellow compound was derived from the extracted pigment and was identified as the quinone-related antibiotic resistomycin based on ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The AAA5 strain was found to produce large quantities of resistomycin (52.5 mg/L). It showed potent cytotoxic activity against cell lines viz. HepG2 (hepatic carcinoma) and HeLa (cervical carcinoma) in vitro, with growth inhibition (GI₅₀) of 0.006 and 0.005 μg/ml, respectively. The strain also exhibited broad antimicrobial activities against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, AAA5 may have great potential as an industrial resistomycin-producing strain.     

Characterization of histone (H1B) oxalate binding protein in experimental urolithiasis and bioinformatics approach to study its oxalate interaction

The rat kidney H1 oxalate binding protein was isolated and purified. Oxalate binds exclusively with H1B fraction of H1 histone. Oxalate binding activity is inhibited by lysine group modifiers such as 4',4'-diisothiostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and pyridoxal phosphate and reduced in presence of ATP and ADP. RNA has no effect on oxalate binding activity of H1B whereas DNA inhibits oxalate binding activity. Equilibrium dialysis method showed that H1B oxalate binding protein has two binding sites for oxalate, one with high affinity, other with low affinity. Histone H1B was modeled in silico using Modeller8v1 software tool since experimental structure is not available. In silico interaction studies predict that histone H1B-oxalate interaction take place through lysine121, lysine139, and leucine68. H1B oxalate binding protein is found to be a promoter of calcium oxalate crystal (CaOx) growth. A 10% increase in the promoting activity is observed in hyperoxaluric rat kidney H1B. Interaction of H1B oxalate binding protein with CaOx crystals favors the formation of intertwined calcium oxalate dehydrate (COD) crystals as studied by light microscopy. Intertwined COD crystals and aggregates of COD crystals were more pronounced in the presence of hyperoxalauric H1B.     

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 deficiency protects steatotic mouse hepatocytes from hypoxia/reoxygenation

Steatotic livers are sensitive to ischemic events and associated ATP depletion. Hepatocellular necrosis following these events may result from mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) expression. To test this hypothesis, we developed a model of in vitro steatosis using primary hepatocytes from wild-type (WT) and UCP2 knockout (KO) mice and subjected them to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Using cultured hepatocytes treated with emulsified fatty acids for 24 h, generating a steatotic phenotype (i.e., microvesicular and broad-spectrum fatty acid accumulation), we found that the phenotype of the WT and UCP2 KO were the same; however, cellular viability was increased in the steatotic KO hepatocytes following 4 h of hypoxia and 24 h of reoxygenation; Hepatocellular ATP levels decreased during hypoxia and recovered after reoxygenation in the control and UCP2 KO steatotic hepatocytes but not in the WT steatotic hepatocytes; mitochondrial membrane potential in WT and UCP2 KO steatotic groups was less than control groups but higher than UCP2 KO hepatocytes. Following reoxygenation, lipid peroxidation, as measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, increased in all groups but to a greater extent in the steatotic hepatocytes, regardless of UCP2 expression. These results demonstrate that UCP2 sensitizes steatotic hepatocytes to H/R through mitochondrial depolarization and ATP depletion but not lipid peroxidation.     

Follicular and endocrinological turnover associated with GnRH induced follicular wave synchronization in Indian crossbred cows

The goal of this study was to record the hormonal and follicular turnover in Jersey crossbred cows when subjected for follicular wave synchronization using GnRH. Six healthy, non-lactating and regularly cycling Jersey crossbred cows (5-6 y) were used for the study. In the control group, the follicular wave pattern was ultrasonographically investigated in 18 cycles (3 cycles/cow). In the treatment group, GnRH analogue (buserelin acetate 10 μg im) was administered on Day 6 of the cycle and follicular wave pattern was studied in 12 cycles (2 cycles/animal). Follicular population was categorized based on their diameter Class I, ≤5 mm; Class II, >5-<9 mm; Class III, ≥9 mm) and the number of follicles in each category was determined on Day 6, Day 8 and Day 10. Plasma FSH and progesterone concentrations were estimated in both control and treatment groups. Out of 18 estrous cycles studied, 14 cycles (77.8%), three cycles (16.7%) and one cycle (5.6%) exhibited three-, two- and four-follicular waves per cycle, respectively. It was evident that the DF of Wave I established its dominance and was in the growing phase by Day 6 of the estrous cycle in all the normally cycling crossbred cows. The DF ovulated in all the animals (100%) in the mean interval of 27.7 ± 0.2 h after GnRH administration. A synchronized homogenous group of follicles emerged two days after GnRH injection (Day of 8.0 ± 0.0) in all the animals (100%). The combination of LH surge induced ovulation of DF (abrupt termination of Wave I) and FSH surge stimulated homogenous recruitment of Class I follicles, led to a synchronized emergence of follicular wave. All the GnRH treated cows had three follicular waves because of early emergence and short period of dominance of Wave II DF.     

Production of bio-ethanol from pretreated agricultural byproduct using enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification

Global warming alerts and threats are on the rise due to the utilization of fossil fuels. Alternative fuel sources like bio-ethanol and biodiesel are being produced to combat against these threats. Bio-ethanol can be produced from a range of substrate. The present study is aimed at the Production of bioethanol from pretreated agricultural substrate using enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification with the addition of purified fungal enzyme. Most cellulosic biomass is not fermentable without appropriate pretreatment methods and so dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment was applied to make the cellulose contained in the waste susceptible to endoglucanase enzyme. A range of acid pretreatment of wheat bran was made in which the sample that was pretreated with 1% dilute sulfuric acid gave maximum yield of ethanol in both methods such as 5.83 g L⁻¹ and 5.27 g L⁻¹, respectively. Ethanol produced from renewable and cheap agricultural products (wheat bran) provides reduction in green house gas emission, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and helps to eliminate smog from the environment.     

Synthesis of novel heterobimetallic copper(I) hydrazone Schiff base complexes: a comparative study on the effect of heterocyclic hydrazides towards interaction with DNA/protein, free radical scavenging and cytotoxicity

Two new copper(I) hydrazone complexes have been synthesised from bivalent copper precursor [CuCl(2)(PPh(3))(2)] and ferrocene containing bidentate hydrazone ligands HL(1) (1) or HL(2) (2). Based on the elemental analyses and spectroscopic data, the complexes are best formulated as [CuL(1)(PPh(3))(2)] (3) and [CuL(2)(PPh(3))(2)] (4) of the monovalent copper ion. Solid state structures of ligand 2 and its corresponding complex 4 were also determined. The DNA/albumin interactions of all the synthesised compounds were investigated using absorption, emission and synchronous fluorescence studies. Further, antioxidant properties of all the compounds have also been checked against ABTS, O(2)(-) and OH radicals. Additionally, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of compounds 1-4 was assessed using tumour (HeLa, A431) and non-tumour (NIH 3T3) cell lines.     

Screening for probiotic properties of strains isolated from feces of various human groups

The present study searched for potential probiotic strains from various human fecal samples. A total of 67 aerobic and 38 anaerobic strains were isolated from 5 different categories of human feces. Systematic procedures were used to evaluate the probiotic properties of the isolated strains. These showed about 75-97% survivability in acidic and bile salt environments. Adhesion to intestinal cell line Caco-2 was also high. The isolates exhibited hydrophobic properties in hexadecane. The culture supernatants of these strains showed antagonistic effects against pathogens. The isolates were resistant to a simulated gastrointestinal environment in vitro. Of the 4 best isolates, MAbB4 (Staphylococcus succinus) and FIdM3 (Enterococcus fecium), were promising candidates for a potential probiotic. S. succinus was found to be a probiotic strain, which is the second such species reported to date in this particular genus. A substantial zone of inhibition was found against Salmonella spp., which adds further support to the suggestion that the probiotic strain could help prevent intestinal infection. This study suggested that the human flora itself is a potential source of probiotics.