Nicotinamide increases the sensitivity of chronic myeloid leukemia cells to doxorubicin via the inhibition of SIRT1

The NAD-dependent deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays a vital role in leukemogenesis. Nicotinamide (NAM) is the principal NAD⁺ precursor and a noncompetitive inhibitor of SIRT1. In our study, we showed that NAM enhanced the sensitivity of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to doxorubicin (DOX) via SIRT1. We found that SIRT1 high expression in CML patients was associated with disease progression and drug resistance. Exogenous NAM efficiently repressed the deacetylation activity of SIRT1 and induced the apoptosis of DOX-resistant K562 cells (K562R) in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, the combination of NAM and DOX significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. The knockdown of SIRT1 in K562R cells enhanced NAM+DOX-induced apoptosis. SIRT1 rescue in K562R reduced the NAM+DOX-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, the combinatory treatment significantly increased the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP in K562R in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest the potential role of NAM in increasing the sensitivity of CML to DOX via the inhibition of SIRT1.     

Characterization of antifungal metabolites produced by Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus coryniformis isolated from rice rinsed water

Molecular Biology Reports - A recent spike in demand for chemical preservative free food has derived the scientific community to develop natural ways of food preservation. Therefore,...     

Molecular and morphological discrimination of Chrysanthemum indicum using allele-specific PCR and T-shaped trichome

Molecular Biology Reports - Chrysanthemum indicum L. is a traditional oriental medicinal herb prepared as a tea from flowers that have been used in China and South Korea since ancient times. It has...     

Aluminium oxide nanoparticles inhibit EPS production,adhesion and biofilm formation by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii is a biofilm forming multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogen responsible for respiratory tract infections. In this study, aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) were synthesized and characterized by TEM and EDX and shown to be spherical shaped nanoparticles with a diameter < 10?nm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the Al₂O₃ NPs ranged between 125 and 1,000?µg ml^?1. Exposure to NPs caused cellular membrane disruption, indicated by an increase in cellular leakage of the contents. Biofilm inhibition was 11.64 to 70.2%, whereas attachment of bacteria to polystyrene surfaces was reduced to 48.8 to 51.9% in the presence of NPs. Nanoparticles also reduced extracellular polymeric substance production and the biomass of established biofilms. The data revealed the non-toxic nature of Al₂O₃ NPs up to a concentrations of 120?µg ml^?1 in HeLa cell lines. These results demonstrate an effective and safer use of Al₂O₃ NPs against the MDR A. baumannii by targeting biofilm formation, adhesion and EPS production.     

Analysis of epigenetic stability and conversions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals a novel role of CAF-I in position-effect variegation

Position-effect variegation (PEV) phenotypes are characterized by the robust multigenerational repression of a gene located at a certain locus (often called gene silencing) and occasional conversions to fully active state. Consequently, the active state then persists with occasional conversions to the repressed state. These effects are mediated by the establishment and maintenance of heterochromatin or euchromatin structures, respectively. In this study, we have addressed an important but often neglected aspect of PEV: the frequency of conversions at such loci. We have developed a model and have projected various PEV scenarios based on various rates of conversions. We have also enhanced two existing assays for gene silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to measure the rate of switches from repressed to active state and vice versa. We tested the validity of our methodology in Δsir1 cells and in several mutants with defects in gene silencing. The assays have revealed that the histone chaperone Chromatin Assembly Factor I is involved in the control of epigenetic conversions. Together, our model and assays provide a comprehensive methodology for further investigation of epigenetic stability and position effects.     

Grain damage,viability and weight loss in different barley cultivars due to Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) infestation

This study was carried out to see the impact of Angoumois grain moth (AGM) on different cultivars of barley so that we must grow resistant variety of barley or improve those which are susceptible to it. Eggs of Sitotroga cerealella (Oliv.) were collected and reared in incubators available in Stored Product Entomology Laboratory, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, under temperature 27 ± 2°C and 60 ± 2% relative humidity. For the experiment, five different cultivars of barley; Sanober-96, Jau-83, Soorab-96, ICBA and Sterling were selected for AGM feed. After an interval of 30, 60 and 90 days of infestation, percentage damage and weight loss in grains were determined. After carrying out laboratory and field germination tests, viability of different cultivars were checked. Damage was maximum in variety Soorab (99.38%), which becomes susceptible while it was minimum in Sanober-96 (90.62%), which becomes resistant. Weight loss was maximum in variety Soorab (49.71%), which becomes susceptible and was minimum in Sanober-96 (45.32%), which becomes resistant. Damage was positively correlated with weight loss and negatively correlated with seed germination. In germination tests, on filter paper, maximum germination was found in variety Sterling (3%) which becomes resistant and it was minimum in ICBA which becomes susceptible (0%). In sand germination test, maximum seeds germinated in variety Sanober-96 (2%), and minimum seeds germinated in ICBA (0%). By calculating the percentage of losses of different cultivars, it was found that none of cultivars proved itself completely resistant or susceptible.     

Management of Sitotroga cerealella in stored cereal grains: a review

The economic loss due to pest attack in stored commodities is a serious problem worldwide. About 200 insect species attack stored commodities. These insect pests are responsible for quantitative and qualitative losses in cereal grains. Among the stored grain pests, Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella is considered as common, top of the list and most destructive pest of cereal grains. Its infestation starts in the standing crop and continues in storage. Although there are many control strategies, our need is some effective, cheap and readily available strategy for safe storage. This review presents different ways by which S. cerealella can be controlled. In this paper, a list of approaches is given which are used to improve the protection of stored grains against S. cerealella attack. These approaches include use of edible oils, containers, synthetic chemicals, agricultural waste materials, plant derivatives, bacterial protoxins, biopesticides, biocontrol enhancers and semiochemicals. If these tactics are followed as combined strategies in a compatible manner, they can provide us an integrated pest management programme for the efficient control of S. cerealella in cereal grains.