Synthesis and Biological Properties of Polyphenol-Containing Linear and Dendrimeric Cationic Peptides
AbstractNatural polyphenols are promising compounds for the pharmacological control of oxidative stress in various diseases. However, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism of polyphenols in a form of glycosides or aglycones have stimulated the search for the vehicles that would provide their efficient delivery to the systemic circulation. Conjugation of polyphenols with cationic amphiphilic peptides yields compounds with a strong antioxidant activity and ability to pass through biological barriers. Due to a broad range of biological activities characteristic of polyphenols and peptides, their conjugates can be used in...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Genomic Imprinting and Random Monoallelic Expression
AbstractThe review discusses the mechanisms of monoallelic expression, such as genomic imprinting, in which gene transcription depends on the parental origin of the allele, and random monoallelic transcription. Data on the regulation of gene activity in the imprinted regions are summarized with a particular focus on the areas controlling imprinting and factors influencing the variability of the imprintome. The prospects of studies of the monoallelic expression are discussed. (Source: Biochemistry (Moscow))
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Influence of Nucleotide Context on Non-Specific Amplification of DNA with Bst exo – DNA Polymerase
In this study, the effect of nucleotide sequence on the Bst exo– binding with DNA and on the efficiency of multimerization initiation, are reported. Preference for binding of the “closed” form of Bst exo– to the purine-rich DNA sequences, especially those containing dG at the 3 ′-end of the growing chain was revealed using molecular docking of the single-stranded trinucleotides (sst) and trinucleotide duplexes (dst). The data obtainedin silico were confirmed in the experiments using oligonucleotide templates that differ in the structure of the 3 ′- and 5′-terminal motifs. It has been shown that templates w...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
N-Terminal Fragment of Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein C Modulates Cooperative Mechanisms of Thin Filament Activation in Atria and Ventricles
We examined effect of the N-terminal C0-C1-m-C2 (C0-C2) fragment of cMyBP-C on actin–myosin interaction using ventricular and atrial myosin in a nin vitro motility assay. The C0-C2 fragment of cMyBP-C significantly reduced the maximum sliding velocity of thin filaments on both myosin isoforms and increased the calcium sensitivity of the actin –myosin interaction. The C0-C2 fragment had different effects on the kinetics of ATP and ADP exchange, increasing the affinity of ventricular myosin for ADP and decreasing the affinity of atrial myosin. The effect of the C0-C2 fragment on the activation of the thin filament dep...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
The Functions of N6-Methyladenosine in Nuclear RNAs
AbstractN6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common modifications in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic mRNAs. It has been experimentally confirmed that m6A methylation is involved in the regulation of stability and translation of various mRNAs. Until recently, the majority of m6A-related studies have been focused on the cytoplasmic functions of this modification. Here, we review new data on the role of m6A in several key biological processes taking place in the cell nucleus, such as transcription, chromatin organization, splicing, nuclear-cytoplasmic transport, and R-loop metabolism. Based on analysis of these data, w...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Synthetic Activators of Autophagy
AbstractAutophagy is a central process for degradation of intracellular components that do not operate correctly. Molecular mechanisms underlying this process are extremely difficult to study, since they involve a large number of participants. The main task of autophagy is redistribution of cellular resources in response to environmental changes, such as starvation. Recent studies show that autophagy regulation could be the key to achieve healthy longevity, as well as to create therapeutic agents for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson ’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Thus, development of autophagy ac...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Leaf Extract from European Olive (Olea europaea L.) Post-Transcriptionally Suppresses the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Sensitizes Gastric Cancer Cells to Chemotherapy
AbstractThe overall survival of patients with the advanced and recurrent gastric cancer (GC) remains unfavorable. In particular, this is due to cancer spreading and resistance to chemotherapy associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells. EMT can be identified by the transcriptome profiling of GC for EMT markers. Indeed, analysis of the TCGA and GTEx databases (n = 408) and a cohort of GC patients (n = 43) revealed that expression of theCDH2 gene was significantly decreased in the tumors vs. non-tumor tissues and correlated with the overall survival of GC patients. Expression of the EMT-pro...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Natural Activators of Autophagy
AbstractAutophagy is the process by which cell contents, such as aggregated proteins, dysfunctional organelles, and cell structures are sequestered by autophagosome and delivered to lysosomes for degradation. As a process that allows the cell to get rid of non-functional components that tend to accumulate with age, autophagy has been associated with many human diseases. In this regard, the search for autophagy activators and the study of their mechanism of action is an important task for treatment of many diseases, as well as for increasing healthy life expectancy. Plants are rich sources of autophagy activators, containin...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Serum Glycome as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Factor in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
AbstractGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for both mother and fetus/neonate during and after the pregnancy. Inconsistent protocols and cumbersome screening procedures warrant the search for new and easily accessible biomarkers. We investigated a potential of serum N-glycome to differentiate between healthy pregnant women (n = 49) and women with GDM (n = 53) using a lectin-based microarray and studied the correlation between the obtained data and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism. Four out of 15 lectins used were able to detect the differences between the control and GDM groups in fucosylatio...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Impairment of Assembly of the Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Leads to Suppression of Formation and Maturation of Focal Contacts and Alteration of the Type of Cellular Protrusions
AbstractCell migration is largely determined by the type of protrusions formed by the cell. Mesenchymal migration is accomplished by formation of lamellipodia and/or filopodia, while amoeboid migration is based on bleb formation. Changing of migrational conditions can lead to alteration in the character of cell movement. For example, inhibition of the Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization by the CK-666 inhibitor leads to transition from mesenchymal to amoeboid motility mode. Ability of the cells to switch from one type of motility to another is called migratory plasticity. Cellular mechanisms regulating migratory plas ti...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - January 1, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Viral Vectors in Gene Replacement Therapy
AbstractThroughout the years, several hundred million people with rare genetic disorders have been receiving only symptom management therapy. However, research and development efforts worldwide have led to the development of long-lasting, highly efficient, and safe gene therapy for a wide range of hereditary diseases. Improved viral vectors are now able to evade the preexisting immunity and more efficiently target and transduce therapeutically relevant cells, ensuring genome maintenance and expression of transgenes at the relevant levels. Hematological, ophthalmological, neurodegenerative, and metabolic therapeutic areas h...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - December 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Yeast Replicative Aging
AbstractDespite the diverse manifestations of aging across different species, some common aging features and underlying mechanisms are shared. In particular, mitochondria appear to be among the most vulnerable systems in both metazoa and fungi. In this review, we discuss how mitochondrial dysfunction is related to replicative aging in the simplest eukaryotic model, the baker ’s yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We discuss a chain of events that starts from asymmetric distribution of mitochondria between mother and daughter cells. With age, yeast mother cells start to experience a decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane pote...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - December 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Changes in the Structure of Potato Virus A Virions after Limited in situ Proteolysis According to Tritium Labeling Data and Computer Simulation
AbstractCoat proteins (CP) of the potato virus A virions (PVA) contain partially disordered N-terminal domains, which are necessary for performing vital functions of the virus. Comparative analysis of the structures of coat proteins (CPs) in the intact PVA virions and in the virus particles lacking N-terminal 32 amino acids (PVA Δ32) was carried out in this work based on the tritium planigraphy data. Using atomic-resolution structure of the potato virus Y potyvirus (PVY) protein, which is a homolog of the CP PVA, the available CP surfaces in the PVY virion were calculated and the areas of intersubunit/interhelix contacts ...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - December 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
The Role of Aurora B Kinase in Normal and Cancer Cells
AbstractAurora kinases are essential players in mammalian cell division. These kinases are involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics, microtubule –kinetochore interactions, and chromosome condensation and orientation during mitosis. At least three members of the Aurora family – Aurora kinases A, B, and C – have been identified in mammals. Aurora B is essential for maintaining genomic stability and normal cell division. Mutations and dysregulation of this kinase are implicated in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we discuss the functions of Aurora B, the relationship between increased Aurora B ...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - December 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
Low-Frequency Oscillations of Bacteriochlorophyll Oligomers in Chlorosomes of Photosynthetic Green Bacteria
AbstractIn green photosynthetic bacteria, light is absorbed by bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)c/d/e oligomers, which are located in chlorosomes – unique structures created by Nature to collect the energy of very weak light fluxes. Using coherent femtosecond spectroscopy at cryogenic temperature, we detected and studied low-frequency vibrational motions of BChl c oligomers in chlorosomes of the green bacteriaChloroflexus (Cfx.)aurantiacus. The objects of the study were chlorosomes isolated from the bacterial cultures grown under different light intensity. It was found that the Fourier spectrum of low-frequency coherent osc...
Source: Biochemistry (Moscow) - December 1, 2023 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research
