Discerning novel drug targets for treating Mycobacterium avium ss. paratuberculosis-associated autoimmune disorders: an in silico approach

Author(s):  
Anjali Garg ◽  
Neelja Singhal ◽  
Manish Kumar

Abstract Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) exhibits ‘molecular mimicry’ with the human host resulting in several autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease (CD), etc. The conventional therapy for autoimmune diseases includes immunosuppressants or immunomodulators that treat the symptoms rather than the etiology and/or causative mechanism(s). Eliminating MAP–the etiopathological agent might be a better strategy to treat MAP-associated autoimmune diseases. In this case study, we conducted a systematic in silico analysis to identify the metabolic chokepoints of MAP’s mimicry proteins and their interacting partners. The probable inhibitors of chokepoint proteins were identified using DrugBank. DrugBank molecules were stringently screened and molecular interactions were analyzed by molecular docking and ‘off-target’ binding. Thus, we identified 18 metabolic chokepoints of MAP mimicry proteins and 13 DrugBank molecules that could inhibit three chokepoint proteins viz. katG, rpoB and narH. On the basis of molecular interaction between drug and target proteins finally eight DrugBank molecules, viz. DB00609, DB00951, DB00615, DB01220, DB08638, DB08226, DB08266 and DB07349 were selected and are proposed for treatment of three MAP-associated autoimmune diseases namely, T1DM, CD and multiple sclerosis. Because these molecules are either approved by the Food and Drug Administration or these are experimental drugs that can be easily incorporated in clinical studies or tested in vitro. The proposed strategy may be used to repurpose drugs to treat autoimmune diseases induced by other pathogens.

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Cavalli ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon ◽  
Maria Sofia Basile ◽  
Santa Mammana ◽  
Manuela Pennisi ◽  
...  

We evaluated the in silico expression and circulating levels of interleukin (IL)37 in patients with different forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and also upon treatment with different disease-modifying drugs. The combined interpretation of the resulting data strengthens and extends the current emerging concept that endogenous IL37 plays an important role in determining onset and progression of MS. The in silico analysis revealed that production of IL37 from cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells from MS patients was reduced in vitro as compared to healthy controls. The analysis of the datasets also demonstrated that “higher” levels of IL37 production from PBMC entailed significant protection from MS relapses. In addition, the in vivo part of the study showed that IL37 was selectively augmented in the sera of MS patients during a relapse and that treatment with the high potency disease-modifying drug fingolimod significantly increased the frequency of patients with circulating blood levels of IL37 (6/9, 66%) as compared to patients receiving no treatment (n = 48) or platform therapy (n = 59) who had levels of IL37 below the limit of the sensitivity of the assay. This finding therefore anticipates that fingolimod may at least partially exert its beneficial effects in MS by upregulating the production of IL37.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-132
Author(s):  
Marjanu Hikmah Elias ◽  
Noraziah Nordin ◽  
Nazefah Abdul Hamid

Background: Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) is associated with the BCRABL1 gene, which plays a central role in the pathogenesis of CML. Thus, it is crucial to suppress the expression of BCR-ABL1 in the treatment of CML. MicroRNA is known to be a gene expression regulator and is thus a good candidate for molecularly targeted therapy for CML. Objective: This study aims to identify the microRNAs from edible plants targeting the 3’ Untranslated Region (3’UTR) of BCR-ABL1. Methods: In this in silico analysis, the sequence of 3’UTR of BCR-ABL1 was obtained from Ensembl Genome Browser. PsRNATarget Analysis Server and MicroRNA Target Prediction (miRTar) Server were used to identify miRNAs that have binding conformity with 3’UTR of BCR-ABL1. The MiRBase database was used to validate the species of plants expressing the miRNAs. The RNAfold web server and RNA COMPOSER were used for secondary and tertiary structure prediction, respectively. Results: In silico analyses revealed that cpa-miR8154, csi-miR3952, gma-miR4414-5p, mdm-miR482c, osa-miR1858a and osa-miR1858b show binding conformity with strong molecular interaction towards 3’UTR region of BCR-ABL1. However, only cpa-miR- 8154, osa-miR-1858a and osa-miR-1858b showed good target site accessibility. Conclusion: It is predicted that these microRNAs post-transcriptionally inhibit the BCRABL1 gene and thus could be a potential molecular targeted therapy for CML. However, further studies involving in vitro, in vivo and functional analyses need to be carried out to determine the ability of these miRNAs to form the basis for targeted therapy for CML.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishal Ahuja ◽  
Aashima Sharma ◽  
Ranju Kumari Rathour ◽  
Vaishali Sharma ◽  
Nidhi Rana ◽  
...  

Background: Lignocellulosic residues generated by various anthropogenic activities can be a potential raw material for many commercial products such as biofuels, organic acids and nutraceuticals including xylitol. Xylitol is a low-calorie nutritive sweetener for diabetic patients. Microbial production of xylitol can be helpful in overcoming the drawbacks of traditional chemical production process and lowring cost of production. Objective: Designing efficient production process needs the characterization of required enzyme/s. Hence current work was focused on in-vitro and in-silico characterization of xylose reductase from Emericella nidulans. Methods: Xylose reductase from one of the hyper-producer isolates, Emericella nidulans Xlt-11 was used for in-vitro characterization. For in-silico characterization, XR sequence (Accession No: Q5BGA7) was used. Results: Xylose reductase from various microorganisms has been studied but the quest for better enzymes, their stability at higher temperature and pH still continues. Xylose reductase from Emericella nidulans Xlt-11 was found NADH dependent and utilizes xylose as its sole substrate for xylitol production. In comparison to whole cells, enzyme exhibited higher enzyme activity at lower cofactor concentration and could tolerate higher substrate concentration. Thermal deactivation profile showed that whole cell catalysts were more stable than enzyme at higher temperature. In-silico analysis of XR sequence from Emericella nidulans (Accession No: Q5BGA7) suggested that the structure was dominated by random coiling. Enzyme sequences have conserved active site with net negative charge and PI value in acidic pH range. Conclusion: Current investigation supported the enzyme’s specific application i.e. bioconversion of xylose to xylitol due to its higher selectivity. In-silico analysis may provide significant structural and physiological information for modifications and improved stability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Tecla Ciociola ◽  
Walter Magliani ◽  
Tiziano De Simone ◽  
Thelma A. Pertinhez ◽  
Stefania Conti ◽  
...  

It has been previously demonstrated that synthetic antibody-derived peptides could exert a significant activity in vitro, ex vivo, and/or in vivo against microorganisms and viruses, as well as immunomodulatory effects through the activation of immune cells. Based on the sequence of previously described antibody-derived peptides with recognized antifungal activity, an in silico analysis was conducted to identify novel antifungal candidates. The present study analyzed the candidacidal and structural properties of in silico designed peptides (ISDPs) derived by amino acid substitutions of the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS. ISDPs proved to be more active in vitro than the parent peptide and all proved to be therapeutic in Galleria mellonella candidal infection, without showing toxic effects on mammalian cells. ISDPs were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, demonstrating different structural organization. These results allowed to validate a consensus sequence for the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS that may be useful in the development of novel antimicrobial molecules.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105068
Author(s):  
Devendra Kumar ◽  
Ravi Ranjan Kumar ◽  
Shelly Pathania ◽  
Pankaj Kumar Singh ◽  
Sourav Kalra ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Pirault ◽  
Konstantinos Polyzos ◽  
Daniel F Ketelhuth ◽  
Göran K Hansson

Rationale: Hypercholesterolemia and immunity are two major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Yet, we reported increased atherosclerosis upon depletion of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs). The effect was associated with increased hepatic inflammation and reduction of Sortilin expression and lipid uptake in the liver. Objective: To define how inflammatory milieu in the liver can modulate Sortilin and lipid metabolism. Methods: To reproduce the inflammatory milieu, hepatocytes (AML-12) were treated in vitro with IFNg. Expression of genes and proteins of interest were followed by qPCR and western blot. In silico method was used to find binding sites of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) on Sortilin, confirmed later by chromatin immune precipitation assays (Chip). Lipid uptake by hepatocytes was assessed via incubation of cells with radioactive lipoproteins. Results: Culture of AML-12 cells with IFNg induced the phosphorylation of STAT1 showing an active signaling pathway. In the same inflammatory conditions, Sort1 mRNA is decreased meanwhile its inhibitor (Atf3) expression is increased. Kinetic experiments revealed the reduction of Sortilin after 12 hours of culture, suggesting a post-transcriptional regulation of Sort1 by STAT1. In silico analysis revealed putative binding sites for STAT1 on Sortilin gene which was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (Chip). IFNg treated hepatocytes that were incubated with radioactive lipoproteins demonstrated a reduced uptake capacity of VLDL and LDL particles compared to control cultures. Conclusion: All together, these results suggest that inflammation through production of IFNg is able to directly modulate the lipid metabolism in hepatocytes by acting on Sortilin expression.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2739
Author(s):  
Liza Devita ◽  
Hanifah Nuryani Lioe ◽  
Mala Nurilmala ◽  
Maggy T. Suhartono

The hydrolysates and peptide fractions of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) skin collagen have been successfully studied. The hydrolysates (HPA, HPN, HPS, HBA, HBN, HBS) were the result of the hydrolysis of collagen using alcalase, neutrase, and savinase. The peptide fractions (PPA, PPN, PPS, PBA, PBN, PBS) were the fractions obtained following ultrafiltration of the hydrolysates. The antioxidant activities of the hydrolysates and peptide fractions were studied using the DPPH method. The effects of collagen types, enzymes, and molecular sizes on the antioxidant activities were analyzed using profile plots analysis. The amino acid sequences of the peptides in the fraction with the highest antioxidant activity were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Finally, their bioactivity and characteristics were studied using in silico analysis. The hydrolysates and peptide fractions provided antioxidant activity (6.17–135.40 µmol AAE/g protein). The lower molecular weight fraction had higher antioxidant activity. Collagen from pepsin treatment produced higher activity than that of bromelain treatment. The fraction from collagen hydrolysates by savinase treatment had the highest activity compared to neutrase and alcalase treatments. The peptides in the PBN and PPS fractions of <3 kDa had antidiabetic, antihypertensive and antioxidant activities. In conclusion, they have the potential to be used in food and health applications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
João Paulo Mendes Tribst ◽  
Amanda Maria de Oliveira Dal Piva ◽  
Vinicius Anéas Rodrigues ◽  
Alexandre Luiz Souto Borges ◽  
Renato Sussumo Nishioka

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> An ideal biomechanics minimizes the stress between implant and bone that can provide success for osseointegrated implants. This study evaluated the strain concentration in surrounding tissue and stress in the components of two implants with different prosthetic connections through an <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in silico</em> methods. <strong>Methods:</strong> Twenty  polyurethane blocks were divided into two groups (n=10) followed by the installation of internal hexagon (IH) (AS Technology – Titanium Fix, São José dos Campos, Brazil) or locking taper implants (LT) (Bicon Dental Implants). For strain gauge (SG) method, four sensors were placed around the implants. For finite element analysis (FEA), the same block was modeled and analyzed. An axial load (30 kgf) was applied for both methodologies.  The values of stress and strain were analyzed for correlation to SG. <strong>Results:</strong> For SG, LT presented a mean of strain most aggressive (-932) than IH (-632). For FEA, LT showed less stress (-547) then IH (-1169).  <strong>Conclusion:</strong>  For two implant’s system, microstrain values capable to induce unwanted bone remodeling were not measured.  However, for IH implant, the presence of a retention screw has the disadvantage to concentrate stress while a solid abutment dissipates the axial load through the implant that suggests a better performance for LT group.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><strong>Keywords: </strong></strong>Finite elements analyses; Dental implant; Strain gauge. </p><p> </p>


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