Domain wise docking analyses of the modular chitin binding protein CBP50 from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar konkukian S4

This paper presents an in silico characterization of the chitin binding protein CBP50 from B. thuringiensis serovar konkukian S4 through homology modeling and molecular docking. The CBP50 has shown a modular structure containing an N-terminal CBM33 domain, two consecutive fibronectin-III (Fn-III) like domains and a C-terminal CBM5 domain. The protein presented a unique modular structure which could not be modeled using ordinary procedures. So, domain wise modeling using MODELLER and docking analyses using Autodock Vina were performed. The best conformation for each domain was selected using standard procedure. It was revealed that four amino acid residues Glu-71, Ser-74, Glu-76 and Gln-90 from N-terminal domain are involved in protein-substrate interaction. Similarly, amino acid residues Trp-20, Asn-21, Ser-23 and Val-30 of Fn-III like domains and Glu-15, Ala-17, Ser-18 and Leu-35 of C-terminal domain were involved in substrate binding. Site-directed mutagenesis of these proposed amino acid residues in future will elucidate the key amino acids involved in chitin binding activity of CBP50 protein.     

A Novel 4EHP-GIGYF2 Translational Repressor Complex Is Essential for Mammalian Development

The binding of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to the mRNA 5' cap structure is a rate-limiting step in mRNA translation initiation. eIF4E promotes ribosome recruitment to the mRNA. In Drosophila, the eIF4E homologous protein (d4EHP) forms a complex with binding partners to suppress the translation of distinct mRNAs by competing with eIF4E for binding the 5' cap structure. This repression mechanism is essential for the asymmetric distribution of proteins and normal embryonic development in Drosophila. In contrast, the physiological role of the mammalian 4EHP (m4EHP) was not known. In this study, we have identified the Grb10-interacting GYF protein 2 (GIGYF2) and the zinc finger protein 598 (ZNF598) as components of the m4EHP complex. GIGYF2 directly interacts with m4EHP, and this interaction is required for stabilization of both proteins. Disruption of the m4EHP-GIGYF2 complex leads to increased translation and perinatal lethality in mice. We propose a model by which the m4EHP-GIGYF2 complex represses translation of a subset of mRNAs during embryonic development, as was previously reported for d4EHP.     

Effect of gibberellic acid on the vase life and oxidative activities in senescing cut gladiolus flowers

Cut flowers face the problem of short display life and lose their aesthetic value rapidly. In order to enhance the vase life of gladiolus, its cut spikes were subjected to different levels of gibberellic acid (GA₃), viz., 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg L^?1 in vase solution, during two consecutive years 2010 and 2011. The GA₃ treatment significantly influenced the vase quality attributes and antioxidants capacity of gladiolus cut flowers. Gibberellic acid at 25 mg L^?1 caused the longest time taken to open the floret and increased the floret opening, vase life duration and fresh weight. The highest antioxidative activities of superoxide dismutase and free radicals scavenging were also recorded with GA₃ at 25 mg L^?1. The highest peroxidase, catalase activity and the lowest membrane leakage were recorded with GA₃ at 50 mg L^?1. Present study concludes that GA₃ applied at lower concentrations (25 mg L^?1) renders greater beneficial effects on vase life quality, membrane stability and antioxidant activities in gladiolus cut spike, and further higher application rates cause no improvement in the flower longevity.     

Role of Early Glycation Amadori Products of Lysine-Rich Proteins in the Production of Autoantibodies in Diabetes Type 2 Patients

In diabetes, protein glycation mostly occurs at intrachain lysine residues resulting in the formation of early stage Amadori products which are finally converted to advance glycation end products (AGEs). Several studies have reported autoantibodies against AGEs in diabetes but not much data are found in respect of Amadori products. In this study, poly-l-lysine (PLL) was glycated with 50 mM glucose and the resultant Amadori products were estimated by fructosamine or nitroblue tetrazolium assay. We report high content of Amadori products in PLL upon glycation. Glycated PLL showed marked hyperchromicity in the UV spectrum, ellipticity changes in CD spectroscopy, and variations in ε-methylene protons shift in NMR. It was better recognized by autoantibodies in type 2 diabetics compared to the native PLL. Induced antibodies against glycated PLL were successfully used to probe early glycation in the IgG isolated from diabetes type 2 patients. Role of Amadori products of glycated proteins in the induction of autoantibodies in type 2 diabetes as well as in associated secondary complications has been discussed.     

Peristaltic flow of Walter’s B fluid in a uniform inclined tube

In this investigation, peristaltic flow of Walter’s B fluid in a uniform inclined tube is discussed. The formulation of the problem is made in a cylindrical coordinate system. The analytical solutions have been calculated by using a regular perturbation method by taking δ as the perturbation parameter. The expressions for pressure rise and friction forces were calculated using numerical integration. The graphical results are presented to discuss the various physical quantities of the Walter’s B fluid parameter α, amplitude ratio φ, angle of inclination β and wave length δ.     

Chromium Exposure in the Adult Population,Consuming Different Types of Smokeless Tobacco Products in Pakistan

The pervasive smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption and diseases related to its use is a hot topic for the public discussion. In this study, concentrations of chromium (Cr) were measured in different SLT products [snuff (dry and moist), mainpuri, and gutkha] offered and used in Pakistan. The current study was also designed to assess the Cr levels in the biological (scalp hair and blood) samples of male and female subjects, age ranged from 25 to 60 years, chewing different SLT products. For comparative purpose, the healthy persons of the same age group, who did not consume any SLT products, were selected as referents. The concentrations of Cr in SLT products and biological samples were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked by certified reference materials (CRMs). The resulted data indicated that the adult persons, who consumed different SLT products, have 2–3 fold higher levels of Cr in biological samples as compared to referent subjects (p < 0.01). The persons, who chew/sniff different SLT products, have 50–80 and 42–82 % higher levels of Cr in their scalp hair and blood samples as related to referents. The daily intake of Cr is lower as compared to the recommended value of 50–200 μg/day. It was expected that 10 g consumption of various kinds of SLT products (snuff, mainpuri, and gutkha) may subsidize 21.2–220, 17.7–122, and 18.4–273 % of the recommended daily intake of Cr, respectively.     

Novel N‐Acyl‐1H‐imidazole‐1‐carbothioamides: Design,Synthesis, Biological and Computational Studies

The present study reports the convenient synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, bio‐assays and computational evaluation of a novel series of N‐acyl‐1H‐imidazole‐1‐carbothioamides. The screened derivatives displayed excellent antioxidant activity, moderate antibacterial and antifungal potential. The screened derivatives were found to be highly biocompatible against hRBCs. Molecular docking ascertained the mechanism and mode of action towards the molecular target delineating that ligands and complexes were stabilized at the active site by electrostatic and hydrophobic forces in accordance to the corresponding experimental results. Docking simulation provided additional information about the possibilities of inhibitory potential of the compounds against RNA. Computational evaluation predicted that N‐acyl‐1H‐imidazole‐1‐carbothioamides 5c and 5g can serve as potential surrogates for hit to lead generation and design of novel antioxidant and antibacterial agents.     

Mechanisms of sublethal copper toxicity damage to the photosynthetic apparatus of Rhodospirillum rubrum

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is the ubiquitous metal ion present in chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll (BChl), involved in photosystems in photosynthetic organisms. In the present study we investigated targets of toxic copper binding to the photosynthetic apparatus of the anoxygenic purple bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. This was done by a combination of in vivo measurements of flash photolysis and fast fluorescence kinetics combined with the analysis of metal binding to pigments and pigment-protein complexes isolated from Cu-stressed cells by HPLC-ICPMS (ICP-sfMS). This work concludes that R. rubrum is highly sensitive to Cu²⁺, with a strong inhibition of the photosynthetic reaction centres (RCs) already at 2 μM Cu²⁺. The inhibition of growth and of RC activity was related to the formation of Cu-containing BChl degradation products that occurred much more in the RC than in LH1. These results suggest that the shift of metal centres in BChl from Mg²⁺ to Cu²⁺ can occur in vivo in the RCs of R. rubrum under environmentally realistic Cu²⁺ concentrations, leading to a strong inhibition of the function of these RCs.     

Status of Toxic Metals in Biological Samples of Diabetic Mothers and Their Neonates

The mechanism of transport of trace elements from the mother to the newborn is still not well known. The aim of present study was to compare the status of trace toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in biological samples (whole blood, urine and scalp hair) of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (age ranged 30-40) and their newly born infants (n = 76). An age and socioeconomics matched 68 nondiabetic mothers and their infants, residing in the same locality, who were selected as referents. The elemental concentrations in all three biological samples were determined by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The mean values of As, Cd, and Pb in all biological samples of diabetic mothers and their infants were significantly higher as compared to the referent mother-infant pair samples (p < 0.01). The high levels of As, Cd, and Pb in biological samples of diabetic women may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and impacts on their neonates.