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Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Dec 2023The roles of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in cells are closely related. However, the absence of molecular tools for simultaneous imaging of the...
The roles of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in cells are closely related. However, the absence of molecular tools for simultaneous imaging of the two nucleic acids has prevented scientists from elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of nucleic acid interaction. The nucleic acid probes developed in recent years have ignored the regulatory relationship between DNA and RNA. Simultaneously imaging RNA and DNA in cells through a single small-molecule fluorescent probe is important. In this study, we propose a strategy for developing fluorescent probes localized to DNA and RNA to investigate their detection and imaging characteristics. The novel probe Bptp-RD has been successfully used for DNA and RNA imaging in cells. We investigated the detection and imaging characteristics of this nucleic acid probe and discovered the following: 1) the differences in the detection results of this nucleic acid probe for DNA and RNA come from the structural differences of the nucleic acids rather than chemical composition differences; 2) through using small-molecule probes to image a nucleic acid in cells, another nucleic acid can be visualized by reducing the fluorescence signal caused by DNA or RNA; 3) the order of response of the small-molecule fluorescent probe with intercalation and binding mechanisms to the type of nucleic acid structure is single chain, double chain, and ring. This work will help improve the understanding of RNA and DNA probes, and the novel probe has high potential to explore the interaction between RNA and DNA in cells.
Topics: RNA; Fluorescent Dyes; Nucleic Acids; Nanotechnology; DNA
PubMed: 37531682
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123216 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2016Chromatin, consisting of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) wrapped around histone proteins, facilitates DNA compaction and allows identical DNA codes to confer many different... (Review)
Review
Chromatin, consisting of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) wrapped around histone proteins, facilitates DNA compaction and allows identical DNA codes to confer many different cellular phenotypes. This biological versatility is accomplished in large part by posttranslational modifications to histones and chemical modifications to DNA. These modifications direct the cellular machinery to expand or compact specific chromatin regions and mark regions of the DNA as important for cellular functions. While each of the four bases that make up DNA can be modified (Iyer et al. 2011), this chapter will focus on methylation of the sixth position on adenines (6mA), as this modification has been poorly characterized in recently evolved eukaryotes, but shows promise as a new conserved layer of epigenetic regulation. 6mA was previously thought to be restricted to unicellular organisms, but recent work has revealed its presence in metazoa. Here, we will briefly describe the history of 6mA, examine its evolutionary conservation, and evaluate the current methods for detecting 6mA. We will discuss the enzymes that bind and regulate this mark and finally examine known and potential functions of 6mA in eukaryotes.
Topics: Adenine; Chromatin; DNA; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Eukaryota; Evolution, Molecular; Histones; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
PubMed: 27826841
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-43624-1_10 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), like reactive oxygen species (ROS), are useful for sustaining reproductive processes such as cell signaling, the regulation of hormonal... (Review)
Review
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS), like reactive oxygen species (ROS), are useful for sustaining reproductive processes such as cell signaling, the regulation of hormonal biosynthesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. However, endogenous levels of RNS beyond physiological limits can impair fertility by disrupting testicular functions, reducing gonadotropin production, and compromising semen quality. Excessive RNS levels cause a variety of abnormalities in germ cells and gametes, particularly in the membranes and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and severely impair the maturation and fertilization processes. Cell fragmentation and developmental blockage, usually at the two-cell stage, are also connected with imbalanced redox status of the embryo during its early developmental stage. Since high RNS levels are closely linked to male infertility and conventional semen analyses are not reliable predictors of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes for such infertility cases, it is critical to develop novel ways of assessing and treating oxidative and/or nitrosative stress-mediated male infertility. This review aims to explicate the physiological and pathological roles of RNS and their relationship with male reproduction.
Topics: DNA; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Nitrogen Species; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reproduction; Semen; Semen Analysis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 36142487
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810574 -
European Journal of Histochemistry : EJH Apr 2022Since the discovery of DNA structure in 1953, the deoxyribonucleic acid has always been playing a central role in biological research. As physical and ordered... (Review)
Review
Since the discovery of DNA structure in 1953, the deoxyribonucleic acid has always been playing a central role in biological research. As physical and ordered nucleotides sequence, it stands at the base of genes existence. Furthermore, beside this 2-dimensional sequence, DNA is characterized by a 3D structural and functional organization, which is of interest for the scientific community due to multiple levels of expression regulation, of interaction with other biomolecules, and much more. Analogously, the nucleic acid counterpart of DNA, RNA, represents a central issue in research, because of its fundamental role in gene expression and regulation, and for the DNA-RNA interplay. Because of their importance, DNA and RNA have always been mentioned and studied in several publications, and the European Journal of Histochemistry is no exception. Here, we review and discuss the papers published in the last 60 years of this Journal, focusing on its contribution in deepening the knowledge about this topic and analysing papers that reflect the interest this Journal always granted to the world of DNA and RNA.
Topics: DNA; Histocytochemistry; Nucleic Acids; RNA
PubMed: 35441834
DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2022.3409 -
Fertility and Sterility Aug 2021
Topics: Birth Rate; DNA; Female; Humans; Live Birth; Methylation; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 34253328
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.06.032 -
Journal of the American Animal Hospital... Mar 2022Feeding an elimination diet exclusively is currently the only accurate diagnostic test for an adverse food reaction in dogs and cats. However, owner compliance has been...
Feeding an elimination diet exclusively is currently the only accurate diagnostic test for an adverse food reaction in dogs and cats. However, owner compliance has been identified as a challenge, and the inability to limit exposure to other items (including treats and supplements) is a remarkable reason for failure. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the presence of declared and undeclared mammalian deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in commercially available canine treats and supplements using polymerase chain reaction methodology. Eight treat products and 20 supplement products were analyzed for the DNA of 10 mammalian species (bison, cat, cow, dog, goat, horse, mouse, rat, pig, and sheep). The results showed that 88% (7/8) of treats and 40% (8/20) of supplements were found to contain at least one source of undeclared mammalian DNA. Undeclared pig and cow DNA were the most frequently identified, and there were only two instances of negative results for declared species. Because of the frequent finding of undeclared mammalian DNA in the assessed products, avoiding using treats and supplements during elimination trials is recommended.
Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Cats; Cattle; DNA; Dietary Supplements; Dogs; Female; Goats; Horses; Mice; Rats; Sheep; Swine
PubMed: 35195710
DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7143 -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Nov 2021Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained...
Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained release of cargo and enzymatic degradation.
Topics: DNA; Deoxyribonucleases; Hydrogels; Nanoparticles; Polymers; Silicon Dioxide
PubMed: 34704568
DOI: 10.1039/d1cc05668a -
Nanoscale Jul 2023As an efficient class of hydrogel-based therapeutic drug delivery systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels (particularly DNA nanogels) have attracted massive... (Review)
Review
As an efficient class of hydrogel-based therapeutic drug delivery systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hydrogels (particularly DNA nanogels) have attracted massive attention in the last five years. The main contributor to this is the programmability of these 3-dimensional (3D) scaffolds that creates fundamental effects, especially in treating cancer diseases. Like other active biological ingredients (ABIs), DNA hydrogels can be functionalized with other active agents that play a role in targeting drug delivery and modifying the half-life of the therapeutic cargoes in the body's internal environment. Considering the brilliant advantages of DNA hydrogels, in this survey, we intend to submit an informative collection of feasible methods for the design and preparation of DNA hydrogels and nanogels, and the responsivity of the immune system to these therapeutic cargoes. Moreover, the interactions of DNA hydrogels with cancer biomarkers are discussed in this account. Theragnostic DNA nanogels as an advanced species for both detection and therapeutic purposes are also briefly reviewed.
Topics: Humans; Nanogels; Hydrogels; Drug Delivery Systems; Neoplasms; DNA
PubMed: 37337663
DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00425b -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Oct 2015During pregnancy, the placenta releases a variety of nucleic acids (including deoxyribonucleic acid, messenger ribonucleic acid, or microribonucleic acids) either as a... (Review)
Review
During pregnancy, the placenta releases a variety of nucleic acids (including deoxyribonucleic acid, messenger ribonucleic acid, or microribonucleic acids) either as a result of cell turnover or as an active messaging system between the placenta and cells in the maternal body. The profile of released nucleic acids changes with the gestational age and has been associated with maternal and fetal parameters. It also can directly reflect pathological changes in the placenta. Nucleic acids may therefore provide a rich source of novel biomarkers for the prediction of pregnancy complications. However, their utility in the clinical setting depends, first, on overcoming some technical considerations in their quantification, and, second, on developing a better understanding of the factors that influence their function and abundance.
Topics: Biomarkers; DNA; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Humans; MicroRNAs; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 26428499
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.010 -
Fertility and Sterility Jan 2022
Topics: DNA; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 34865851
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.11.020