GID E3 ligase supramolecular chelate assembly configures multipronged ubiquitin targeting of an oligomeric metabolic enzyme

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Enantioseparation of ketoconazole and miconazole by capillary electrophoresis and a study on their inclusion interactions with β‐cyclodextrin and derivatives

A chiral separation method coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis for ketoconazole and miconazole enantiomers using chiral selectors such as β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐CD (HP‐β‐CD) was developed in this study, which included the optimisation, validation and application of the method on the antifungal cream samples. The formation of inclusion complex between the hosts (β‐CD and HP‐β‐CD) and guests (ketoconazole and miconazole) were compared and analysed using ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and molecular docking methods. Results from the study showed that in a concentration that ranged between 0.25 and 50 mg L^?1, the linear calibration curves of each enantiomer had a high coefficient of regression (R² > 0.999), low limit of detection (0.075 mg L^?1) and low limit of quantification (0.25 mg L^?1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the intraday and interday analyses ranged from 0.79% to 8.01% and 3.30% to 11.43%, respectively, while the recoveries ranged from 82.0% to 105.7% (RSD < 7%, n = 3). The most probable structure of the inclusion complexes was proposed based on the findings from the molecular docking studies conducted using the PatchDock server.     

Structural similarity and functional diversity in proteins containing the legume lectin fold.

Knowledge of structural relationships in proteins is increasingly proving very useful for in silico characterizations and is also being exploited as a prelude to almost every investigation in functional and structural genomics. A thorough understanding of the crucial features of a fold becomes necessary to realize the full potential of such relationships. To illustrate this, structures containing the legume lectin-like fold were chosen for a detailed analysis since they exhibit a total lack of sequence similarity among themselves and also belong to diverse functional families. A comparative analysis of 15 different families containing this fold was therefore carried out, which led to the determination of the minimal structural principles or the determining region of the fold. A critical evaluation of the structural features, such as the curvature of the front sheet, the presence of the hydrophobic cores and the binding site loops, suggests that none of them are crucial for either the formation or the stability of the fold, but are required to generate diversity and specificity to particular carbohydrates. In contrast, the presence of the three sheets in a particular geometry and also their topological connectivities seem to be important. The fold has been shown to tolerate different types of protein-protein associations, most of them exhibiting different types of quaternary associations and some even existing as complexes with other folds. The function of every family in this study is discussed with respect to its fold, leading to the suggestion that this fold can be linked to carbohydrate recognition in general.     

Circulating MiRNAs of ‘Asian Indian Phenotype’ Identified in Subjects with Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Several omics technologies are underway worldwide with an aim to unravel the pathophysiology of a complex phenotype such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While recent studies imply a clinically relevant and potential biomarker role of circulatory miRNAs in the etiology of T2DM, there is lack of data on this aspect in Indians—an ethnic population characterized to represent ‘Asian Indian phenotype’ known to be more prone to develop T2DM and cardiovascular disease than Europeans. We performed global serum miRNA profiling and the validation of candidate miRNAs by qRT-PCR in a cohort of subjects comprised of normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and patients with T2DM. Our study revealed 4 differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-128, miR-130b-3p, miR-374a-5p, miR-423-5p) in subjects with IGT and T2DM patients compared to control subjects. They were positively or negatively correlated to cholesterol levels, HbA_1C, HOMA-IR and fasting insulin. Interestingly, circulating level of miR-128 and miR-130b-3p were also altered in serum of diet-induced diabetic mice compared to control animals. Among the altered circulating miRNAs, miR-128 had never been described in previous studies/populations and appeared to be a ‘New Lead’ in Indians. It was positively correlated with cholesterol both in prediabetic subjects and in diet-induced diabetic mice, suggesting that its increased level might be associated with the development of dyslipedemia associated with T2DM. Our findings imply directionality towards biomarker potential of miRNAs in the prevention/diagnosis/treatment outcomes of diabetes.     

Design and Analysis of FBG Sensor for Explosive Detection Applications

In this paper, a simple uniform fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor is designed, and maximum reflection of 7.1 dB at 1.55 μm is obtained. As this FBG shows a better reflection, it deserves well for the purpose of sensing and communication predominantly as they are resistant to electromagnetic radiations, light weight, low cost, firm size, and ease of handling. The proposed FBG is used for explosive sensing applications to detect explosives like trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitroglycerin, and royal demolition explosive (RDX). The different strain and temperature wavelength shifts of the explosives also analyzed and plotted.

     

Fibrin nanoparticles as Possible vehicles for drug delivery

Background

Several issues have been raised emphasizing the harmful toxic effects of metal nanoparticles towards biological systems. Search of biological nanoparticles with excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability could address this problem.

Methods

Fibrin nanoparticles (FNP) were prepared using a novel technique and characterized for their physico-chemical properties. In vitro studies were performed to examine cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of FNP. Innate immune response to FNP was studied by (i) estimating in vitro generation of complement split products, C3a and C4d and (ii) in vivo expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6. In vivo biodistribution study was carried out by intravenous administration of FITC-labelled FNP in mice.

Results

FNP were spherical with size ranging from 25 to 28 nm. In vitro studies proved the biocompatibility of the nanoparticles, with their distribution across the cytoplasm and nucleus of treated cells. Complement activation studies showed insignificant increase in the level of C3a when compared with positive control. RT-PCR results revealed significant upregulation of TNF-α and downregulation of IL-6 cytokines after 6 h of FNP administration. In vivo biodistribution studies showed moderate blood circulation time, with predominant distribution of nanoparticles in the liver followed by the lungs, kidney and spleen. Haematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology analyses demonstrated that FNP were non-toxic.

Conclusion

Owing to their small size, low cost, ease of preparation and excellent biocompatibility, FNP might be a promising novel material for drug delivery applications.

General significance

Our results demonstrate the safe and promising use of FNP for biomedical applications.     

Protective effect of Piper betle leaf extract against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and hepatic dysfunction in rats

The present study was undertaken to examine the attenuative effect of Piper betle leaf extract (PBE) against cadmium (Cd) induced oxidative hepatic dysfunction in the liver of rats. Pre-oral supplementation of PBE (200 mg/kg BW) treated rats showed the protective efficacy against Cd induced hepatic oxidative stress. Oral administration of Cd (5 mg/kg BW) for four weeks to rats significantly (P > 0.05) elevated the level of serum hepatic markers such as serum aspartate transaminase (AST), serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), bilirubin (TBRNs), oxidative stress markers viz., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), protein carbonyls (PC) and conjugated dienes (CD) and significantly (P > 0.05) reduced the enzymatic antioxidants viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and non-enzymatic antioxidants Viz., reduced glutathione (GSH), total sulfhydryls (TSH), vitamin C and vitamin E in the liver. Pre-oral supplementation of PBE (200 mg/kg BW) in Cd intoxicated rats, the altered biochemical indices and pathological changes were recovered significantly (P > 0.05) which showed ameliorative effect of PBE against Cd induced hepatic oxidative stress. From the above findings, we suggested that the pre-administration of P. betle leaf extract exhibited remarkable protective effects against cadmium-induced oxidative hepatic injury in rats.     

Biolarvicidal activity of extracellular metabolites of the keratinophilic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichophyton mentagrophytes</Emphasis> against arvae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aedes aegypti</Emphasis> — a major vector for Chikungunya and dengue

The larvicidal activity of extracellular metabolites of keratinophilic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes against Aedes aegypti larvae was determined. T. mentagrophytes was isolated from soil by the feather baiting technique. Culture filtrates (10–100 μL/mL) were found to be entomotoxic to 3rd instars larvae of A. aegypti (L3), LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ being 110 ± 11.5 and 200 ± 20.7 μL/mL, respectively, after 2 d. Extracellular metabolites are proteinaceous in nature and more specific to chitin of mosquito larvae. They degraded cock feather causing an average of 20.0 ± 2.6 % loss in feather mass. Culture filtrate at 100 μL/mL produced 90 % mortality against L3 after 3 d; mortality was increased in dose- and time-dependent manner. These extracellular metabolites of T. mentagrophytes could be regarded as alternatives to synthetic insecticides.