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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Plant growth and productivity are predicted to be affected by rising CO concentrations, drought and temperature stress. The C crop model in a changing climate is...
Plant growth and productivity are predicted to be affected by rising CO concentrations, drought and temperature stress. The C crop model in a changing climate is Willd-a protein-rich pseudohalphyte (Amaranthaceae). Morphophysiological, biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on quinoa grown at ambient (400 ppm, aCO) and elevated (800 ppm, eCO) CO concentrations, drought (D) and/or high temperature (eT) treatments. Among the single factors, drought caused the greatest stress response, inducing disturbances in the light and dark photosynthesis reactions (PSII, apparent photosynthesis) and increasing oxidative stress (MDA). Futhermore, compensation mechanisms played an important protective role against eT or eCO. The disruption of the PSII function was accompanied by the activation of the expression of , a gene of PSI cyclic electron transport (CET). Wherein under these conditions, the constant Rubisco content was maintained due to an increase in its biosynthesis, which was confirmed by the activation of gene expression. In addition, the combined stress treatments D+eT and eCO+D+eT caused the greatest negative effect, as measured by increased oxidative stress, decreased water use efficiency, and the functioning of protective mechanisms, such as photorespiration and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, decreased PSII efficiency and increased non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) were not accompanied by the activation of protective mechanisms involving PSI CET. In summary, results show that the greatest stress experienced by plants was caused by drought and the combined stresses D+eT and eCO+D+eT. Thus, drought consistently played a decisive role, leading to increased oxidative stress and a decrease in defense mechanism effectiveness.
PubMed: 38931098
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121666 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The DEAD-box RNA helicase Ded1 is an essential yeast protein involved in translation initiation that belongs to the DDX3 subfamily. The purified Ded1 protein is an...
The DEAD-box RNA helicase Ded1 is an essential yeast protein involved in translation initiation that belongs to the DDX3 subfamily. The purified Ded1 protein is an ATP-dependent RNA-binding protein and an RNA-dependent ATPase, but it was previously found to lack substrate specificity and enzymatic regulation. Here we demonstrate through yeast genetics, yeast extract pull-down experiments, in situ localization, and in vitro biochemical approaches that Ded1 is associated with, and regulated by, the signal recognition particle (SRP), which is a universally conserved ribonucleoprotein complex required for the co-translational translocation of polypeptides into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and membrane. Ded1 is physically associated with SRP components in vivo and in vitro. Ded1 is genetically linked with SRP proteins. Finally, the enzymatic activity of Ded1 is inhibited by SRP21 in the presence of SCR1 RNA. We propose a model where Ded1 actively participates in the translocation of proteins during translation. Our results provide a new understanding of the role of Ded1 during translation.
Topics: Signal Recognition Particle; DEAD-box RNA Helicases; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Protein Binding; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein Transport
PubMed: 38931009
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122944 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein that is widely distributed in the central nervous system and maintains and regulates neuronal morphology and function.... (Review)
Review
Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein that is widely distributed in the central nervous system and maintains and regulates neuronal morphology and function. Tau protein aggregates abnormally and forms neurofibrillary tangles in neurodegenerative diseases, disrupting the structure and function of neurons and leading to neuronal death, which triggers the initiation and progression of neurological disorders. The aggregation of tau protein in neurodegenerative diseases is associated with post-translational modifications, which may affect the hydrophilicity, spatial conformation, and stability of tau protein, promoting tau protein aggregation and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Therefore, studying the role of tau protein in neurodegenerative diseases and the mechanism of aberrant aggregation is important for understanding the mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases and finding therapeutic approaches. This review describes the possible mechanisms by which tau protein promotes neurodegenerative diseases, the post-translational modifications of tau protein and associated influencing factors, and the current status of drug discovery and development related to tau protein, which may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to alleviate or treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: tau Proteins; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Animals; Drug Development; Protein Aggregation, Pathological; Neurofibrillary Tangles; Molecular Targeted Therapy
PubMed: 38930877
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122812 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Sigma factors are transcriptional regulators that are part of complex regulatory networks for major cellular processes, as well as for growth phase-dependent regulation...
Sigma factors are transcriptional regulators that are part of complex regulatory networks for major cellular processes, as well as for growth phase-dependent regulation and stress response. sp. SE50/110 is the natural producer of acarbose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor that is used in diabetes type 2 treatment. Acarbose biosynthesis is dependent on growth, making sigma factor engineering a promising tool for metabolic engineering. ACSP50_0507 is a homolog of the developmental and osmotic-stress-regulating σH. Therefore, the protein encoded by was named σH. Here, an sp. SE50/110 expression strain for the alternative sigma factor gene () achieved a two-fold increased acarbose yield with acarbose production extending into the stationary growth phase. Transcriptome sequencing revealed upregulation of acarbose biosynthesis genes during growth and at the late stationary growth phase. Genes that are transcriptionally activated by σH frequently code for secreted or membrane-associated proteins. This is also mirrored by the severely affected cell morphology, with hyperbranching, deformed and compartmentalized hyphae. The dehydrated cell morphology and upregulation of further genes point to a putative involvement in osmotic stress response, similar to its homolog. The DNA-binding motif of σH was determined based on transcriptome sequencing data and shows high motif similarity to that of its homolog. The motif was confirmed by in vitro binding of recombinantly expressed σH to the upstream sequence of a strongly upregulated gene. Autoregulation of σH was observed, and binding to its own gene promoter region was also confirmed.
PubMed: 38930623
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061241 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent kidney dysfunction, ultimately resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is a crucial... (Review)
Review
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent kidney dysfunction, ultimately resulting in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is a crucial pathological feature of CKD and ESRD. However, there is no effective treatment for this condition. Despite the complex molecular mechanisms involved in renal fibrosis, increasing evidence highlights the crucial role of histone modification in its regulation. The reversibility of histone modifications offers promising avenues for therapeutic strategies to block or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory implications of histone modifications in fibrosis may provide novel insights into more effective and safer therapeutic approaches. This review highlights the regulatory mechanisms and recent advances in histone modifications in renal fibrosis, particularly histone methylation and histone acetylation. The aim is to explore the potential of histone modifications as targets for treating renal fibrosis.
Topics: Humans; Fibrosis; Histones; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Kidney; Acetylation; Methylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Histone Code
PubMed: 38929505
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060888 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 () is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids and is considered a candidate gene for improving milk and meat quality...
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 () is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids and is considered a candidate gene for improving milk and meat quality traits. Sanger sequencing was employed to investigate the genetic polymorphism of the fifth exon and intron of bovine , revealing four SNPs, g.21272246 A>G, g.21272306 T>C, g.21272422 C>T, and g.21272529 A>G. Further variance analysis and multiple comparisons were conducted to examine the relationship between variation sites and economic traits in Chinese Simmental cattle, as well as milk production traits in Holstein cows. The findings revealed these four loci exhibited significant associations with carcass traits (carcass weight, carcass length, backfat thickness, and waist meat thickness), meat quality (pH value, rib eye area, and marbling score), adipogenic traits (fat score and carcass fat coverage rate), and fatty acid composition (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid). Furthermore, these loci were additionally found to be significantly associated with average milk yield and milk fat content in cows. In addition, a haplotype analysis of combinations of SNPs showed that H2H3 has a significant association with adipogenic traits and H2H2 was associated with higher levels of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid than the other combinations. These results suggest that the four SNPs are expected to be prospective genetic markers for the above economic traits. In addition, the function of SNPs in exon 5 of on gene expression and protein structure needs to be explored in the future.
PubMed: 38929378
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121759 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Network pharmacology is an ideal tool to explore the effects of therapeutic components derived from plants on human metabolic diseases that are linked to inflammation....
Network pharmacology is an ideal tool to explore the effects of therapeutic components derived from plants on human metabolic diseases that are linked to inflammation. This study investigated the antioxidant effects of ginger leaves (GLs) and predicted targets for antioxidant activity. Quantitative and free radical scavenging analyses were performed to detect the main bioactive compounds of GLs and evaluate their antioxidant activities. Chemical diversity and network pharmacology approaches were used to predict key antioxidant components of GLs and their molecular targets. Nine major bioactive compounds of GLs were quantified using an internal standard method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging methods. We first built the compound-gene-pathways and protein-protein interaction networks of GLs-related antioxidant targets and then conducted gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking results show that astragalin, a compound isolated from GLs, had the highest level of connectivity in the compound-target network and was involved in inflammation-related biosynthesis by directly impacting cytokine gene expression and PTGS2 inhibition markers. These findings not only suggest that the compounds isolated from GLs can be developed as potential antioxidants, but also demonstrate the applicability of network pharmacology to assess the potential of foods for disease treatment.
PubMed: 38929091
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060652 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Dairy cows face metabolic challenges around the time of calving, leading to a negative energy balance and various postpartum health issues. Adipose tissue is crucial for...
Dietary Supplementation with Naringin Improves Systemic Metabolic Status and Alleviates Oxidative Stress in Transition Cows via Modulating Adipose Tissue Function: A Lipid Perspective.
Dairy cows face metabolic challenges around the time of calving, leading to a negative energy balance and various postpartum health issues. Adipose tissue is crucial for cows during this period, as it regulates energy metabolism and supports immune function. Naringin, one of the main flavonoids in citrus fruit and their byproducts, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytoconstituent. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplemental naringin on performance, systemic inflammation, oxidative status, and adipose tissue metabolic status. A total of 36 multiparous Holstein cows (from ~21 d prepartum through 35 d postpartum) were provided a basal control (CON) diet or a CON diet containing naringin (NAR) at 30 g/d per cow. Supplemental NAR increased the yield of raw milk and milk protein, without affecting dry matter intake. Cows fed NAR showed significantly lower levels ( < 0.05) of serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), C-reactive protein, IL-1β, IL-6, malonaldehyde, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, but increased ( < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase activity relative to those fed CON. Supplemental NAR increased ( < 0.05) adipose tissue adiponectin abundance, decreased inflammatory responses, and reduced oxidative stress. Lipidomic analysis showed that cows fed NAR had lower concentrations of ceramide species ( < 0.05) in the serum and adipose tissue than did the CON-fed cows. Adipose tissue proteomics showed that proteins related to lipolysis, ceramide biosynthesis, inflammation, and heat stress were downregulated ( < 0.05), while those related to glycerophospholipid biosynthesis and the extracellular matrix were upregulated ( < 0.05). Feeding NAR to cows may reduce the accumulation of ceramide by lowering serum levels of NEFA and LPS and increasing adiponectin expression, thereby decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissue, ultimately improving their systemic metabolic status. Including NAR in periparturient cows' diets improves lactational performance, reduces excessive lipolysis in adipose tissue, and decreases systemic and adipose tissue inflammation and oxidative stress. Integrating lipidomic and proteomic data revealed that reduced ceramide and increased glycerophospholipids may alleviate metabolic dysregulations in adipose tissue, which in turn benefits systemic metabolic status.
PubMed: 38929076
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060638 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024is the foodborne pathogen causing most gastrointestinal infections. Understanding its ability to form biofilms is crucial for devising effective control strategies in...
is the foodborne pathogen causing most gastrointestinal infections. Understanding its ability to form biofilms is crucial for devising effective control strategies in food processing environments. In this study, we investigated the growth dynamics and biofilm formation of NCTC 11168 in various culture media, including chicken juice (CJ), brain heart infusion (BHI), and Mueller Hinton (MH) broth. Our results demonstrated that exhibited a higher growth rate and enhanced biofilm formation in CJ and in 1:1 mixtures of CJ with BHI or MH broth compared to these measures in BHI or MH broth alone. Electron microscopy unveiled distinct morphological attributes of late-stage biofilm cells in CJ, including the presence of elongated spiral-shaped cells, thinner stretched structures compared to regular cells, and extended thread-like structures within the biofilms. Proteomic analysis identified significant alterations in protein expression profiles in biofilms, with a predominance of downregulated proteins associated with vital functions like metabolism, energy production, and amino acid and protein biosynthesis. Additionally, a significant proportion of proteins linked to biofilm formation, virulence, and iron uptake were suppressed. This shift toward a predominantly coccoid morphology echoed the reduced energy demands of these biofilm communities. Our study unlocks valuable insights into 's biofilm in CJ, demonstrating its adaptation and survival.
PubMed: 38928770
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121828 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) modify the amino-terminal tails of the core histone proteins via acetylation, regulating chromatin structure and transcription. GENERAL...
Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) modify the amino-terminal tails of the core histone proteins via acetylation, regulating chromatin structure and transcription. GENERAL CONTROL NON-DEREPRESSIBLE 5 (GCN5) is a HAT that specifically acetylates H3K14 residues. GCN5 has been associated with cell division and differentiation, meristem function, root, stem, foliar, and floral development, and plant environmental response. The flowers of plants display a reduced stamen length and exhibit male sterility relative to the wild-type plants. We show that these effects may arise from gibberellin (GA)-signaling defects. The signaling pathway of bioactive GAs depends on the proteolysis of their repressors, DELLA proteins. The repressor GA (RGA) DELLA protein represses plant growth, inflorescence, and flower and seed development. Our molecular data indicate that GCN5 is required for the activation and H3K14 acetylation of genes involved in the late stages of GA biosynthesis and catabolism. We studied the genetic interaction of the RGA and GCN5; the RGA can partially suppress GCN5 action during the whole plant life cycle. The reduced elongation of the stamen filament of mutants is reversed in the double mutants. RGAs suppress the GCN5 effect on the gene expression and histone acetylation of GA catabolism and GA signaling. Interestingly, the RGA and RGL2 do not suppress ADA2b function, suggesting that ADA2b acts downstream of GA signaling and is distinct from GCN5 activity. In conclusion, we propose that the action of GCN5 on stamen elongation is partially mediated by RGA and GA signaling.
Topics: Arabidopsis; Gibberellins; Arabidopsis Proteins; Histone Acetyltransferases; Signal Transduction; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Acetylation; Flowers; Transcription Factors; Histones; Repressor Proteins
PubMed: 38928464
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126757