-
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024All sulfur transfer pathways have generally a l-cysteine desulfurase as an initial sulfur-mobilizing enzyme in common, which serves as a sulfur donor for the...
All sulfur transfer pathways have generally a l-cysteine desulfurase as an initial sulfur-mobilizing enzyme in common, which serves as a sulfur donor for the biosynthesis of numerous sulfur-containing biomolecules in the cell. In , the housekeeping l-cysteine desulfurase IscS has several interaction partners, which bind at different sites of the protein. So far, the interaction sites of IscU, Fdx, CyaY, and IscX involved in iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster assembly have been mapped, in addition to TusA, which is required for molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis and mnmsU34 tRNA modifications, and ThiI, which is involved in thiamine biosynthesis and sU8 tRNA modifications. Previous studies predicted that the sulfur acceptor proteins bind to IscS one at a time. TusA has, however, been suggested to be involved in Fe-S cluster assembly, as fewer Fe-S clusters were detected in a mutant. The basis for this reduction in Fe-S cluster content is unknown. In this work, we investigated the role of TusA in iron-sulfur cluster assembly and iron homeostasis. We show that the absence of TusA reduces the translation of , thereby leading to pleiotropic cellular effects, which we dissect in detail in this study.IMPORTANCEIron-sulfur clusters are evolutionarily ancient prosthetic groups. The ferric uptake regulator plays a major role in controlling the expression of iron homeostasis genes in bacteria. We show that a mutant is impaired in the assembly of Fe-S clusters and accumulates iron. TusA, therefore, reduces mRNA translation leading to pleiotropic cellular effects.
PubMed: 38916309
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00556-24 -
Acta Biomaterialia Jun 2024Metallic biomaterials, such as stainless steels, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys, and titanium (Ti) alloys, have long been used as load-bearing implant...
Metallic biomaterials, such as stainless steels, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys, and titanium (Ti) alloys, have long been used as load-bearing implant materials due to their metallic mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their magnetic susceptibility and elastic modulus of more than 100 GPa significantly restrict their therapeutic applicability. In this study, spinodal ZrNb, ZrNb, and ZrNb (at.%) alloys were selected from the miscibility gap based on the Zr-Nb binary phase diagram and prepared by casting, cold rolling, and aging. Their microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, magnetic susceptibility, and biocompatibility were systematically evaluated. Spinodal decomposition to alternating nanoscale Zr-rich β and Nb-rich β phases occurred in the cold-rolled Zr-Nb alloys during aging treatment at 650°C. In addition, a minor amount of α phase was precipitated in ZrNb due to the thermodynamic instability of the Zr-rich β1 phase. Spinodal decomposition significantly improved the mechanical strength of the alloys due to nanosized dual-cubic reinforcement. The Zr-Nb alloys showed an electrochemical corrosion rate of 94-262 nm per year in Hanks' solution because of formation of dense passive films composed of ZrO and NbO during the polarization process. The magnetic susceptibilities of the Zr-Nb alloys were significantly lower than those of commercial Co-Cr-Mo and Ti alloys. The cell viability of the Zr-Nb alloys was more than 98% toward MC3T3-E1 cells. Overall, the spinodal Zr-Nb alloys have enormous potential as bone-implant materials due to their outstanding overall mechanical properties, extraordinary corrosion resistance, low magnetic susceptibility, and sufficient bicompatibility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work reports on spinodal Zr-Nb alloys with heterostructure. Spinodal decomposition significantly improved their mechanical strength due to the nanosized dual-cubic reinforcement. The Zr-Nb alloys showed large corrosion resistance in Hanks' solution because of formation of dense passivation films composed of ZrO and NbO during the polarization process. The magnetic susceptibilities of the Zr-Nb alloys were significantly lower than those of commercial Co-Cr-Mo and Ti alloys. The cell viability of the Zr-Nb alloys was more than 98% toward MC3T3-E1 cells. The results demonstrate that spinodal Zr-Nb alloys have enormous potential as bone-implant materials due to their outstanding overall mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance, low magnetic susceptibility, and sufficient biocompatibility.
PubMed: 38897338
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.06.015 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Plant viruses cause substantial losses in crop yield and quality; therefore, devising new, robust strategies to counter viral infections has important implications for...
Plant viruses cause substantial losses in crop yield and quality; therefore, devising new, robust strategies to counter viral infections has important implications for agriculture. Virus inhibitory protein endoplasmic reticulum-associated interferon-inducible (Viperin) proteins are conserved antiviral proteins. Here, we identified a set of Viperin and Viperin-like proteins from multiple species and tested whether they could interfere with RNA viruses . Our data from transient and stable overexpression of these proteins in reveal varying levels of interference against the RNA viruses tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), and potato virus x (PVX). Harnessing the potential of these proteins represents a novel avenue in plant antiviral approaches, offering a broader and more effective spectrum for application in plant biotechnology and agriculture. Identifying these proteins opens new avenues for engineering a broad range of resistance to protect crop plants against viral pathogens.
PubMed: 38895613
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1385169 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The depletion of valuable mineral reserves has rendered effluents generated from mining and industrial processing activities a promising resource for the production of...
The depletion of valuable mineral reserves has rendered effluents generated from mining and industrial processing activities a promising resource for the production of precious elements. The synthesis and improvement of new adsorbents to extract valuable compounds from industrial wastes and pregnant leach solutions, besides increasing wealth, can play a significant role in reducing environmental concerns. In this work, a new and low-cost adsorbent for the selective extraction of rhenium (perrhenate ions, ReO) was synthesized by the free-radical polymerization (FRP) of a diallyl dimethylammonium chloride monomer (quaternary amine) in the presence of a crosslinker. Various methods were employed to characterize the polymeric adsorbent. The results revealed that the designed polymeric adsorbent had a high surface area and pores with nano-metric dimensions and a pore volume of 6.4 × 10 cm/g. Four environments-single, binary, multicomponent, and real solutions-were applied to evaluate the adsorbent's performance in the selective separation of Re. Additionally, these environments were used to understand the behavior of molybdenum ions, the primary competitors of perrhenate ions in the ion exchange process. In competitive conditions, using variations in /, an antagonism phenomenon (/ < 1) occurred due to the inhibitory effect of surface-adsorbed molybdenum ions on the binding of the perrhenate ions. However, across all conditions, the separation values for Re were higher than those for the other studied elements (Mo, Cu, Fe).
PubMed: 38894001
DOI: 10.3390/ma17112737 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The presented work considers the influence of the hafnium and molybdenum to zirconium ratio of TiTaNb(HfMo)Zr (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at.%) high-entropy alloys in an...
The presented work considers the influence of the hafnium and molybdenum to zirconium ratio of TiTaNb(HfMo)Zr (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at.%) high-entropy alloys in an as-cast state for potential biomedical applications. The current research continues with our previous results of hafnium's and molybdenum's influence on a similar chemical composition. In the presented study, the microstructure, selected mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance were investigated. The phase formation thermodynamical calculations were also applied to predict solid solution formation after solidification. The calculations predicted the presence of multi-phase, body-centred cubic phases, confirmed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition analysis showed the segregation of alloying elements. Microhardness measurements revealed a decrease in microhardness with increased zirconium content in the studied alloys. The corrosion resistance was determined in Ringer's solution to be higher than that of commercially applied biomaterials. The comparison of the obtained results with previously reported data is also presented and discussed in the presented study.
PubMed: 38893994
DOI: 10.3390/ma17112730 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024YO dispersion-strengthened Molybdenum (Mo) composites were prepared by the mechanical alloying of Mo and Y powders then consolidation by spark plasma sintering. The...
YO dispersion-strengthened Molybdenum (Mo) composites were prepared by the mechanical alloying of Mo and Y powders then consolidation by spark plasma sintering. The effects of Chromium (Cr) addition (0 wt. %, 5 wt. %, 10 wt. % and 15 wt. %, respectively) on the mechanical performance and high-temperature oxidation resistance of Mo-YO were investigated. The introduction of Cr had a significant influence on the mechanical property and oxidation resistance of the Mo-YO composite. The highest bending strength reached 932 MPa when the addition of Cr content was 5 wt. % (Mo-5Cr-1Y sample). This improvement is likely attributable to the dual mechanism of grain refinement and solid solution strengthening. Moreover, the Mo-5Cr-1Y sample showed the thinnest oxide layer thickness after high-temperature oxidation tests, and exhibited the best oxidation resistance performance compared with the other samples. First principle calculation reveals that Cr could improve the Mo-MoO interface bonding to prevent rapid spalling of the oxide layer. Meanwhile, Cr also facilitates the formation of the dense Cr(MoO) layer on the surface, which can inhibit further oxidation.
PubMed: 38893814
DOI: 10.3390/ma17112550 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The electrolysis of water for hydrogen production is currently receiving significant attention due to its advantageous features such as non-toxicity, safety, and...
The electrolysis of water for hydrogen production is currently receiving significant attention due to its advantageous features such as non-toxicity, safety, and environmental friendliness. This is especially crucial considering the urgent need for clean energy. However, the current method of electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen largely relies on expensive metal catalysts, significantly increasing the costs associated with its development. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS) is considered the most promising alternative to platinum for electrocatalyzing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its outstanding catalytic efficiency and robust stability. However, the practical application of this material is hindered by its low conductivity and limited exposure of active sites. MoS/SQDs composite materials were synthesized using a hydrothermal technique to deposit SQDs onto MoS. These composite materials were subsequently employed as catalysts for the HER. Research findings indicate that incorporating SQDs can enhance electron transfer rates and increase the active surface area of MoS, which is crucial for achieving outstanding catalytic performance in the HER. The MoS/SQDs electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding performance in the HER when tested in a 0.5 M HSO solution. It achieves a remarkably low overpotential of 204 mV and a Tafel slope of 65.82 mV dec at a current density of 10 mA cm. Moreover, during continuous operation for 24 h, the initial current density experiences only a 17% reduction, indicating high stability. This study aims to develop an efficient and cost-effective electrocatalyst for water electrolysis. Additionally, it proposes a novel design strategy that uses SQDs as co-catalysts to enhance charge transfer in nanocomposites.
PubMed: 38893426
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112551 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024A nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with molybdenum dioxide (MoO) nanoparticles is fabricated through the reduction of phosphomolybdic...
A nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with molybdenum dioxide (MoO) nanoparticles is fabricated through the reduction of phosphomolybdic acid hydrate on functionalized MWCNTs in a hydrogen-argon (10%) atmosphere in a tube furnace. The MoO/MWCNTs composite is proposed as an anodic modification material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MWCNTs have outstanding physical and chemical peculiarities, with functionalized MWCNTs having substantially large electroactive areas. In addition, combined with the exceptional properties of MoO nanoparticles, the synergistic advantages of functionalized MWCNTs and MoO nanoparticles give a MoO/MWCNTs anode a large electroactive area, excellent electronic conductivity, enhanced extracellular electron transfer capacity, and improved nutrient transfer capability. Finally, the power harvesting of an MFC with the MoO/MWCNTs anode is improved, with the MFC showing long-term repeatability of voltage and current density outputs. This exploratory research advances the fundamental application of anodic modification to MFCs, simultaneously providing valuable guidance for the use of carbon-based transition metal oxide nanomaterials in high-performance MFCs.
PubMed: 38893417
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112541 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Periodontitis development arises from the intricate interplay between bacterial biofilms and the host's immune response, where macrophages serve pivotal roles in defense...
Periodontitis development arises from the intricate interplay between bacterial biofilms and the host's immune response, where macrophages serve pivotal roles in defense and tissue homeostasis. Here, we uncover the mitigative effect of copper chelator Tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) on periodontitis through inhibiting cuproptosis, a newly identified form of cell death which is dependent on copper. Our study reveals concurrent cuproptosis and a macrophage marker within murine models. In response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, macrophages exhibit elevated cuproptosis-associated markers, which are mitigated by the administration of TTM. TTM treatment enhances autophagosome expression and mitophagy-related gene expression, countering the LPS-induced inhibition of autophagy flux. TTM also attenuates the LPS-induced fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes, the degradation of lysosomal acidic environments, lysosomal membrane permeability increase, and cathepsin B secretion. In mice with periodontitis, TTM reduces cuproptosis, enhances autophagy flux, and decreases levels. Our findings underscore the crucial role of copper-chelating agent TTM in regulating the cuproptosis/mitophagy/lysosome pathway during periodontitis inflammation, suggesting TTM as a promising approach to alleviate macrophage dysfunction. Modulating cuproptosis through TTM treatment holds potential for periodontitis intervention.
Topics: Animals; Lysosomes; Mice; Periodontitis; Autophagy; Molybdenum; Copper; Chelating Agents; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Chelation Therapy; Inflammation; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male
PubMed: 38892077
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115890 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024This study examined the effects of elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets on the growth, blood parameters, and immune responses in goats. Eighteen Boer crosses goats (BW...
This study examined the effects of elevated molybdenum (Mo) in goat diets on the growth, blood parameters, and immune responses in goats. Eighteen Boer crosses goats (BW = 25.6 ± 1.03 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) control (no additional Mo), (2) 5 ppm Mo, and (3) 10 ppm Mo as ammonium molybdate was added to the grain mix. Animals were fed a 50:50 hay:grain diet ad libitum twice daily. Daily feed refusals were monitored, and intake was adjusted weekly. Body weights were recorded every 14 days and blood samples were collected on the second week of every month to determine Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, and other blood metabolites. After 85 days, animals were humanely euthanized and carcass traits were measured. Liver, longissimus muscle area, and kidney samples were collected postmortem. Liver Cu ( < 0.003), blood triacylglycerides ( < 0.03), and serum total protein ( < 0.03) levels were reduced; the liver ( = 0.07) and kidney ( < 0.001) Mo concentrations were increased; and the immune response was decreased linearly ( < 0.01) with additional Mo. Low levels of Cu with increasing Mo levels in the diet did not negatively impact animal performance or blood metabolites, in the duration of this study (85 days); however, it lowered the liver Cu, Fe, and immune responses in goats.
PubMed: 38891651
DOI: 10.3390/ani14111604