Functional properties and the oligomeric state of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit F (AhpF) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Protoplasma - Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit F (AhpF) is a well-known flavoprotein that transfers electrons from pyridine nucleotides to the peroxidase protein AhpC via redox-active...     

Virtual high-throughput screening of natural compounds in-search of potential inhibitors for protection of telomeres 1 (POT1)

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Promising Polyphenols in Parkinson’s Disease Therapeutics

Neurochemical Research - Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slow progressive, second most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal...     

Elimination of sugarcane grassy shoot disease through apical meristem culture

Elimination of sugarcane grassy shoot disease (SGSD) through apical meristem culture technique for producing clean planting material of sugarcane has been attempted in the present study. The results showed that meristems length of 2 and 3 mm were free from the SGSD pathogen at higher frequency than larger meristem length of 4 mm. However, the frequency of survival of explants during initiation of shoot cultures was higher in larger meristems (60%) in comparison to smaller ones (40%). The micropropagated plantlets raised from meristem culture were confirmed for disease-free by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis at monthly interval up to 6 months. This is the first report on the elimination of SGSD phytoplasma through meristem culture in India.     

Synthesis,angiopreventive activity,and in vivo tumor inhibition of novel benzophenone–benzimidazole analogs

Aim

The development of anticancer drugs with specific targets is of prime importance in modern biology. This study investigates the angiopreventive and in vivo tumor inhibition activities of novel synthetic benzophenone–benzimidazole analogs.

Main methods

The multistep synthesis of novel benzophenone–benzimidazole analogs (8a–n) allowing substitution with methoxy, methyl and halogen groups at different positions on the identical chemical backbone and the variations in the number of substituents were synthesized and characterized. The newly synthesized compounds were further evaluated for cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. The potent lead compounds were further assessed for antiangiogenic effects in a CAM model and a tumor-induced vasculature in vivo model. The effect of angioprevention on tumor growth was verified in a mouse model.

Key findings

The cytotoxicity studies revealed that compounds 8f and 8n are strongly cytotoxic. Analyzing the structure–activity relationship, we found that an increase in the number of methyl groups in addition to methoxy substitution at the para position of the benzoyl ring in compound 8n resulted in higher potency compared to 8f. Furthermore, neovessel formation in in vivo systems, such as the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and tumor-induced mice peritoneum models, was significantly suppressed and reflected the tumor inhibition observed in mice.

Significance

These results suggest the potential clinical application of compound 8n as an antiangiogenic drug for cancer therapy.     

Protective and survival efficacies of Rv0160c protein in murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The proline-glutamic acid (PE) and proline-proline-glutamic acid (PPE) multi-gene families code for approximately 10 % of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) genome. These proteins are thought to be virulence factors that participate in impounding the host immune responses. While some members have been studied, the functions of most PE/PPE proteins are yet to be explored. The studies presented here have specifically characterized the roles of one of the PE proteins of Mtb, Rv0160c (PE4), in mycobacterial persistence and in prophylactic efficacy. We have expressed Rv0160c in a non-pathogenic fast-growing Mycobacterium smegmatis strain and demonstrated that the protein improves the survival of mycobacteria in macrophages and in mice. The protein has also shown its effect under physiological stress of bacteria, as evidenced by elevated expression in acidic and in hypoxic conditions. In mice, the level of Rv0160c was noticeably high during the chronic stage of tuberculosis. The seroreactivity of the protein against different categories of tuberculosis patients revealed a strong B-cell humoral response in freshly infected pulmonary tuberculosis patients. In mice, it exhibited increased IL-2, TNF, and IL-6 production. The antigenic properties of the protein directed towards the protective efficacy against the Mtb challenge. All together, our findings have identified Rv0160c as an in vivo expressed immunodominant antigen which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of mycobacterial disease and could prove to be a good preventive antigen for tuberculosis.