The Drosophila homolog of the putative phosphatidylserine receptor functions to inhibit apoptosis

Exposure of phosphatidylserine is a conserved feature of apoptotic cells and is thought to act as a signal for engulfment of the cell corpse. A putative receptor for phosphatidylserine (PSR) was previously identified in mammalian systems. This receptor is proposed to function in engulfment of apoptotic cells, although gene ablation of PSR has resulted in a variety of phenotypes. We examined the role of the predicted Drosophila homolog of PSR (dPSR) in apoptotic cell engulfment and found no obvious role for dPSR in apoptotic cell engulfment by phagocytes in the embryo. In addition, dPSR is localized to the nucleus, inconsistent with a role in apoptotic cell recognition. However, we were surprised to find that overexpression of dPSR protects from apoptosis, while loss of dPSR enhances apoptosis in the developing eye. The increased apoptosis is mediated by the head involution defective (Wrinkled) gene product. In addition, our data suggest that dPSR acts through the c-Jun-NH(2) terminal kinase pathway to alter the sensitivity to cell death.     

Spectroscopic studies,quantum chemical investigations,and in silico and in vitro scrutiny of the diuretic drug trichlormethiazide adsorbed on AuNPs

Experimental and theoretical study was employed to study the adsorption of the diuretic drug, trichlormethiazide (TCM) molecule on AuNPs (TCMA). The stereoelectronic properties of the molecular structure of most stable conformers of TCM and TCMA were studied using DFT/B3LYP-6-311++G (d, p) together with LANL2DZ methodology. The Fourier transform Raman and Infrared spectra of TCM were recorded and analyzed. Quantum chemical calculations of TCM and TCMA molecules were used to evaluate the stability of the molecule, hyper-conjugative interactions, electron delocalization, and binding interactions. The calculated and experimentally observed vibrational frequencies of the molecule were assigned and compared. The shifting and intensity enhancement of the CCl₂ band manifests the back-donation and conjugation effect, which are the result of the presence of nitrogen atom adjoining the dichloromethyl groups and the oxygen in the sulfur dioxide group attached among the amino group and the chlorophenyl ring, respectively, which enhances bioactivity. Anticancer activity was examined based on molecular docking analysis, and it was identified that TCM and TCMA molecules act as good inhibitors against lung cancer. SERS analysis and MTT assay confirmed the molecular docking analysis results.     

An Argonaute 2 switch regulates circulating miR-210 to coordinate hypoxic adaptation across cells

Complex organisms may coordinate molecular responses to hypoxia by specialized avenues of communication across multiple tissues, but these mechanisms are poorly understood. Plasma-based, extracellular microRNAs have been described, yet their regulation and biological functions in hypoxia remain enigmatic. We found a unique pattern of release of the hypoxia-inducible microRNA-210 (miR-210) from hypoxic and reoxygenated cells. This microRNA is also elevated in human plasma in physiologic and pathologic conditions of altered oxygen demand and delivery. Released miR-210 can be delivered to recipient cells, and the suppression of its direct target ISCU and mitochondrial metabolism is primarily evident in hypoxia. To regulate these hypoxia-specific actions, prolyl-hydroxylation of Argonaute 2 acts as a molecular switch that reciprocally modulates miR-210 release and intracellular activity in source cells as well as regulates intracellular activity in recipient cells after miR-210 delivery. Therefore, Argonaute 2-dependent control of released miR-210 represents a unique communication system that integrates the hypoxic response across anatomically distinct cells, preventing unnecessary activity of delivered miR-210 in normoxia while still preparing recipient tissues for incipient hypoxic stress and accelerating adaptation.     

Guidelines for screening,diagnosis and management of hemoglobinopathies

The β-thalassemias and sickle cell disorders are a major health burden in India. Diagnosis and management of these disorders both in adults and in newborns using appropriate approaches and uniform technology are important in different regions of a vast and diverse country as India. In view of a National Thalassemia Control Program to be launched soon, a need was felt for guidelines on whom to screen, cost-effective technologies that are to be used as well as for establishing prenatal diagnosis programs in regional centers. Newborn screening for sickle cell disorders is in its infancy in India and uniform approaches need to be followed. Also, included are guidelines for monitoring and managing patients who are now growing older and need comprehensive care as well as management of complications of the disease.     

Comprehensive DNA copy number profile and BAC library construction of an Indian individual

Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) are used in genomic variation studies due to their capacity to carry a large insert, their high clonal stability, low rate of chimerism and ease of manipulation. In the present study, an attempt was made to create the first genomic BAC library of an anonymous Indian male (IMBL4) consisting of 100,224 clones covering the human genome more than three times. Restriction mapping of 255 BAC clones by pulse field gel electrophoresis confirmed an average insert size of 120 kb. The library was screened by PCR using SHANK3 (SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3) and OLFM3 (olfactomedin 3) specific primers. A selection of clones was analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and sequencing. Fine mapping of copy number variable regions by array based comparative genomic hybridization identified 467 CNVRs in the IMBL4 genome. The IMBL4 BAC library represents the first cataloged Indian genome resource for applications in basic and clinical research.     

MRPS27 is a pentatricopeptide repeat domain protein required for the translation of mitochondrially encoded proteins

Mammalian pentatricopeptide repeat domain (PPR) proteins are involved in regulation of mitochondrial RNA metabolism and translation and are required for mitochondrial function. We investigated an uncharacterised PPR protein, the supernumerary mitochondrial ribosomal protein of the small subunit 27 (MRPS27), and show that it associates with the 12S rRNA and tRNA^Glu, however it does not affect their abundance. We found that MRPS27 is not required for mitochondrial RNA processing or the stability of the small ribosomal subunit. However, MRPS27 is required for mitochondrial protein synthesis and its knockdown causes decreased abundance in respiratory complexes and cytochrome c oxidase activity.

Structured summary of protein interactions

MRPS27 and MRPS15 colocalize by cosedimentation through density gradient (View Interaction)     

The three-dimensional structure of the analgesic alpha-conotoxin, RgIA

The alpha-conotoxin RgIA is a selective antagonist of the alpha9alpha10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and has been shown to be a potent analgesic and reduces nerve injury associated inflammation. RgIA was chemically synthesized and found to fold into two disulfide isomers, globular and ribbon. The native globular isomer inhibited ACh-evoked currents reversibly in oocytes expressing rat alpha9alpha10 nAChRs but the ribbon isomer was inactive. We determined the three-dimensional structure of RgIA using NMR methods to assist in elucidating the molecular role of RgIA in analgesia and inflammation.