The role of Tat peptide self-aggregation in membrane pore stabilization: insights from a computational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (40) ◽  
pp. 27603-27610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Jan Akhunzada ◽  
Balasubramanian Chandramouli ◽  
Nicholus Bhattacharjee ◽  
Sara Macchi ◽  
Francesco Cardarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Tat Peptide ◽  
Membrane Pore ◽  
Self Aggregation ◽  
In Cells

Role of Tat peptide self-aggregation to direct transduction in cells is highlighted in a computational study of dimer versus monomer.

scholarly journals Understanding the role of bulge‐length dependent RNA stacking energetics in determining HIV‐1 TAR‐Tat peptide binding energetics in vitro and in cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Kelly ◽  
Rohit Roy ◽  
Hal Bogerd ◽  
Dawn Merriman ◽  
Laura Ganser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peptide Binding ◽  
Tat Peptide ◽  
Binding Energetics ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
In Cells

scholarly journals 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via a BLTR1 signaling axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Min Choi ◽  
Seung Eun Baek ◽  
Ji On Kim ◽  
Eun Yeong Jeon ◽  
Eun Jeong Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Leukotriene B4 ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Signaling Axis ◽  
Cellular Source ◽  
Leukotriene Receptor ◽  
In Cells

AbstractMonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in initiating vascular inflammation; however, its cellular source in the injured vasculatures is unclear. Given the importance of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in tissue injury, we investigated the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in MCP-1 production in response to HMGB1. In primary cultured rat aortic VSMCs stimulated with HMGB1, the expression of MCP-1 and 5-lipoxygenase (LO) was increased. The increased MCP-1 expression in HMGB1 (30 ng/ml)-stimulated cells was significantly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells as well as in cells treated with zileuton, a 5-LO inhibitor. Likewise, MCP-1 expression and production were also increased in cells stimulated with exogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4), but not exogenous LTC4. LTB4-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in cells treated with U75302, a LTB4 receptor 1 (BLTR1) inhibitor as well as in BLTR1-deficient cells, but not in 5-LO-deficient cells. Moreover, HMGB1-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in BLTR1-deficient cells or by treatment with a BLTR1 inhibitor, but not other leukotriene receptor inhibitors. In contrast to MCP-1 expression in response to LTB4, the increased MCP-1 production in HMGB1-stimulated VSMC was markedly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells, indicating a pivotal role of LTB4-BLTR1 signaling in MCP-1 expression in VSMCs. Taken together, 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via BLTR1 signaling, suggesting the LTB4-BLTR1 signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target for vascular inflammation in the injured vasculatures.

scholarly journals Glycans in autophagy, endocytosis and lysosomal functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulvio Reggiori ◽  
Hans-Joachim Gabius ◽  
Massimo Aureli ◽  
Winfried Römer ◽  
Sandro Sonnino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Code ◽  
Endogenous Lectins ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Molecular Signals ◽  
Lysosomal Proteins ◽  
In Cells

AbstractGlycans have been shown to function as versatile molecular signals in cells. This prompted us to look at their roles in endocytosis, endolysosomal system and autophagy. We start by introducing the cell biological aspects of these pathways, the concept of the sugar code, and provide an overview on the role of glycans in the targeting of lysosomal proteins and in lysosomal functions. Moreover, we review evidence on the regulation of endocytosis and autophagy by glycans. Finally, we discuss the emerging concept that cytosolic exposure of luminal glycans, and their detection by endogenous lectins, provides a mechanism for the surveillance of the integrity of the endolysosomal compartments, and serves their eventual repair or disposal.

scholarly journals The Activating Effect of Strong Acid for Pd-Catalyzed Directed C–H Activation by Concerted Metalation-Deprotonation Mechanism

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 4083
Author(s):  
Heming Jiang ◽  
Tian-Yu Sun
Keyword(s):  
Activation Energy ◽  
Dft Calculations ◽  
Energy Barrier ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Strong Acid ◽  
Activation Energy Barrier ◽  
Pd Catalysts ◽  
Acid Ligand ◽  
Strong Acids

A computational study on the origin of the activating effect for Pd-catalyzed directed C–H activation by the concerted metalation-deprotonation (CMD) mechanism is conducted. DFT calculations indicate that strong acids can make Pd catalysts coordinate with directing groups (DGs) of the substrates more strongly and lower the C–H activation energy barrier. For the CMD mechanism, the electrophilicity of the Pd center and the basicity of the corresponding acid ligand for deprotonating the C–H bond are vital to the overall C–H activation energy barrier. Furthermore, this rule might disclose the role of some additives for C–H activation.

scholarly journals Antioxidant Properties of Ergosterol and Its Role in Yeast Resistance to Oxidation

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1024
Author(s):  
Sebastien Dupont ◽  
Paul Fleurat-Lessard ◽  
Richtier Gonçalves Cruz ◽  
Céline Lafarge ◽  
Cédric Grangeteau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Tert Butyl Hydroperoxide ◽  
Resistance To Oxidation ◽  
Specific Accumulation ◽  
The Subject

Although the functions and structural roles of sterols have been the subject of numerous studies, the reasons for the diversity of sterols in the different eukaryotic kingdoms remain unclear. It is thought that the specificity of sterols is linked to unidentified supplementary functions that could enable organisms to be better adapted to their environment. Ergosterol is accumulated by late branching fungi that encounter oxidative perturbations in their interfacial habitats. Here, we investigated the antioxidant properties of ergosterol using in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. The results showed that ergosterol is involved in yeast resistance to tert-butyl hydroperoxide and protects lipids against oxidation in liposomes. A computational study based on quantum chemistry revealed that this protection could be related to its antioxidant properties operating through an electron transfer followed by a proton transfer mechanism. This study demonstrates the antioxidant role of ergosterol and proposes knowledge elements to explain the specific accumulation of this sterol in late branching fungi. Ergosterol, as a natural antioxidant molecule, could also play a role in the incompletely understood beneficial effects of some mushrooms on health.

scholarly journals The underestimated role of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF) in normal and pathological haematopoiesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Oppezzo ◽  
Filippo Rosselli
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Networks ◽  
Bone Marrow Failure ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Specific Setting ◽  
Haematopoietic System ◽  
Abnormal Pigmentation ◽  
In Cells

AbstractHaematopoiesis, the process by which a restrained population of stem cells terminally differentiates into specific types of blood cells, depends on the tightly regulated temporospatial activity of several transcription factors (TFs). The deregulation of their activity or expression is a main cause of pathological haematopoiesis, leading to bone marrow failure (BMF), anaemia and leukaemia. TFs can be induced and/or activated by different stimuli, to which they respond by regulating the expression of genes and gene networks. Most TFs are highly pleiotropic; i.e., they are capable of influencing two or more apparently unrelated phenotypic traits, and the action of a single TF in a specific setting often depends on its interaction with other TFs and signalling pathway components. The microphthalmia-associated TF (MiTF) is a prototype TF in multiple situations. MiTF has been described extensively as a key regulator of melanocyte and melanoma development because it acts mainly as an oncogene. Mitf-mutated mice show a plethora of pleiotropic phenotypes, such as microphthalmia, deafness, abnormal pigmentation, retinal degeneration, reduced mast cell numbers and osteopetrosis, revealing a greater requirement for MiTF activity in cells and tissue. A growing amount of evidence has led to the delineation of key roles for MiTF in haematopoiesis and/or in cells of haematopoietic origin, including haematopoietic stem cells, mast cells, NK cells, basophiles, B cells and osteoclasts. This review summarizes several roles of MiTF in cells of the haematopoietic system and how MiTFs can impact BM development.

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