Structural and Functional Properties of Tropomyosin Isoforms Tpm4.1 and Tpm2.1
AbstractTropomyosin (Tpm) is one of the most important partners of actin filament that largely determines its properties. In animal organisms, there are different isoforms of Tpm, which are believed to be involved in the regulation of various cellular functions. However, molecular mechanisms by which various Tpm cytoplasmic regulate of the functioning of actin filaments are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the properties of Tpm2.1 and Tpm4.1 isoforms and compared them to each other and to more extensively studied Tpm isoforms. Tpm2.1 and Tpm4.1 were very similar in their affinity to F-actin, thermal stability...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Role of MicroRNAs in Regulation of Cellular Response to Hypoxia
AbstractHypoxia causes changes in transcription of the genes that contribute to adaptation of the cells to low levels of oxygen. The main mechanism regulating cellular response to hypoxia is activation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF), which include several isoforms and control expression of more than a thousand genes. HIF activity is regulated at various levels, including by small non-coding RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs regulate cellular response to hypoxia by influencing activation of HIF, its degradation, and translation of HIF-dependent proteins. At the same time, HIFs also affect miR...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Recombinant Endopeptidases IdeS and IdeZ and Their Potential Application
AbstractEndopeptidases IdeS and IdeZ (streptococcal virulence factors that specifically cleave IgG heavy chains) are of particular interest because of their potential use in biotechnology, medicine, and veterinary. Genes encoding these enzymes were cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli heterologous expression system (ideS was cloned from aStreptococcus pyogenes collection strain;ideZ fromStreptococcus zooepidemicus was synthesized). The 6His-tag was introduced into the amino acid sequence of each endopeptidase, and IdeS and IdeZ were purified by metal affinity chromatography to an apparent homogeneity (according to polya...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Natural Guanine Derivatives Exert PARP-Inhibitory and Cytoprotective Effects in a Model of Cardiomyocyte Damage under Oxidative Stress
AbstractInhibitors of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are considered as promising agents for treatment of cardiovascular, neurological, and other diseases accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. Previously, the ability of natural compounds 7-methylguanine (7mGua) and 8-hydroxy-7-methylguanine (8h7mGua) to suppress activity of the recombinant PARP protein was demonstrated. In the present work, we have investigated the possibility of PARP-inhibitory and cytoprotective action of 7mGua and 8h7mGua against the rat cardiomyoblast cultures (undifferentiated and differentiated H9c2). It was found that 7mGua and ...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Lipoxygenase in a Giant Sulfur Bacterium: An Evolutionary Solution for Size and Complexity?
AbstractDiscovery ofThiomargarita magnifica – an exceptionally large giant sulfur bacterium – urges us to pay additional attention to the giant sulfur bacteria and to revisit our recent bioinformatic finding of lipoxygenases in the representatives of the genusBeggiatoa. These close relatives ofThiomargarita magnifica meet the similar size requirements by forming multicellular structures. We hypothesize that their lipoxygenases are a part of the oxylipin signaling system that provides high level of cell-to-cell signaling complexity which, in turn, enables them to reach large sizes. (Source: Biochemistry (Moscow))
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Multiple Non-Canonical Base-Stacking Interactions as One of the Major Determinants of RNA Tertiary Structure Organization
AbstractStacking interactions of heterocyclic bases of ribonucleotides are one of the most important factors in the organization of RNA secondary and tertiary structure. Most of these (canonical) interactions are formed between adjacent residues in RNA polynucleotide chains. However, with the accumulation of data on the atomic tertiary structures of various RNAs and their complexes with proteins, it has become clear that nucleotide residues that are not adjacent in the polynucleotide chains and are sometimes separated in the RNA primary structure by tens or hundreds of nucleotides can interact via (non-canonical) base stac...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Resistome in Streptomyces rimosus – A Reservoir of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics Resistance Genes
AbstractInvestigation of aminoglycoside acetyltransferases in actinobacteria of the genusStreptomyces is an integral part of the study of soil bacteria as the main reservoir and possible source of drug resistance genes. Previously, we have identified and biochemically characterized three aminoglycoside phosphotransferases, which cause resistance to kanamycin, neomycin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and hygromycin  B in the strainStreptomyces rimosus ATCC  10970 (producing oxytetracycline), which is resistant to most natural aminoglycoside antibiotics. In the presented work, it was shown that the resistance of this strain to...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Molecular Bases of Signaling Processes Regulated by Cryptochrome Sensory Photoreceptors in Plants
AbstractThe blue-light sensors, cryptochromes, compose the extensive class of flavoprotein photoreceptors, regulating signaling processes in plants underlying their development, growth, and metabolism. In several algae, cryptochromes may act not only as sensory photoreceptors but also as photolyases, catalyzing repair of the UV-induced DNA lesions. Cryptochromes bind FAD as the chromophore at the photolyase homologous region (PHR) domain and contain the cryptochrome C-terminal extension  (CCE), which is absent in photolyases. Photosensory process in cryptochrome is initiated by photochemical chromophore conversions, inclu...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Phytohormones Affect Differentiation Status of Human Skin Fibroblasts via UPR Activation
AbstractNormalization of secretory activity and differentiation status of mesenchymal cells, including fibroblasts, is an important biomedical problem. One of the possible solutions is modulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) activated during fibroblast differentiation. Here, we investigated the effect of phytohormones on the secretory activity and differentiation of cultured human skin fibroblasts. Based on the analysis of expression of genes encoding UPR markers, abscisic acid (ABA) upregulated expression of theGRP78 andATF4 genes, while gibberellic acid (GA) upregulated expression ofCHOP. Evaluation of the biosynth...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Recombinant Strains of Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus for Cancer Immunotherapy
AbstractCancer virotherapy is an alternative therapeutic approach based on the viruses that selectively infect and kill tumor cells. Vaccinia virus  (VV) is a member of thePoxviridae, a family of enveloped viruses with a large linear double-stranded DNA genome. The proven safety of the VV strains as well as considerable transgene capacity of the viral genome, make VV an excellent platform for creating recombinant oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Furthermore, various genetic modifications can increase tumor selectivity and therapeutic efficacy of VV by arming it with the immune-modulatory genes or proapoptotic molecul...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Effects of Chronic Combined Treatment with Ketanserin and Fluoxetine in B6.CBA-D13Mit76C Recombinant Mice with Abnormal 5-HT1A Receptor Functional Activity
AbstractThe recombinant B6.CBA-D13Mit76C mouse strain is characterized by an altered sensitivity of 5-HT1A receptors and upregulated 5-HT1A gene transcription. Recently, we found that in B6.CBA-D13Mit76C mice, chronic fluoxetine treatment produced the pro-depressive effect in a forced swim test. Since 5-HT2A receptor blockade may be beneficial in treatment-resistant depression, we investigated the influence of chronic treatment (14 days, intraperitoneally) with selective 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin (0.5  mg/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), or fluoxetine + ketanserin on the behavior, functional activity of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Structural and Functional Properties of Tropomyosin Isoforms Tpm4.1 and Tpm2.1
AbstractTropomyosin (Tpm) is one of the most important partners of actin filament that largely determines its properties. In animal organisms, there are different isoforms of Tpm, which are believed to be involved in the regulation of various cellular functions. However, molecular mechanisms by which various Tpm cytoplasmic regulate of the functioning of actin filaments are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the properties of Tpm2.1 and Tpm4.1 isoforms and compared them to each other and to more extensively studied Tpm isoforms. Tpm2.1 and Tpm4.1 were very similar in their affinity to F-actin, thermal stability...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Role of MicroRNAs in Regulation of Cellular Response to Hypoxia
AbstractHypoxia causes changes in transcription of the genes that contribute to adaptation of the cells to low levels of oxygen. The main mechanism regulating cellular response to hypoxia is activation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF), which include several isoforms and control expression of more than a thousand genes. HIF activity is regulated at various levels, including by small non-coding RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs regulate cellular response to hypoxia by influencing activation of HIF, its degradation, and translation of HIF-dependent proteins. At the same time, HIFs also affect miR...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Recombinant Endopeptidases IdeS and IdeZ and Their Potential Application
AbstractEndopeptidases IdeS and IdeZ (streptococcal virulence factors that specifically cleave IgG heavy chains) are of particular interest because of their potential use in biotechnology, medicine, and veterinary. Genes encoding these enzymes were cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli heterologous expression system (ideS was cloned from aStreptococcus pyogenes collection strain;ideZ fromStreptococcus zooepidemicus was synthesized). The 6His-tag was introduced into the amino acid sequence of each endopeptidase, and IdeS and IdeZ were purified by metal affinity chromatography to an apparent homogeneity (according to polya...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research

Natural Guanine Derivatives Exert PARP-Inhibitory and Cytoprotective Effects in a Model of Cardiomyocyte Damage under Oxidative Stress
AbstractInhibitors of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are considered as promising agents for treatment of cardiovascular, neurological, and other diseases accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress. Previously, the ability of natural compounds 7-methylguanine (7mGua) and 8-hydroxy-7-methylguanine (8h7mGua) to suppress activity of the recombinant PARP protein was demonstrated. In the present work, we have investigated the possibility of PARP-inhibitory and cytoprotective action of 7mGua and 8h7mGua against the rat cardiomyoblast cultures (undifferentiated and differentiated H9c2). It was found that 7mGua and ...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - June 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research