scholarly journals Spectrophotometric Assays for Sensing Tyrosinase Activity and Their Applications

Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Yu-Fan Fan ◽  
Si-Xing Zhu ◽  
Fan-Bin Hou ◽  
Dong-Fang Zhao ◽  
Qiu-Sha Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Catalytic Mechanism ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Melanin Biosynthesis ◽  
Biochemical Assays ◽  
First Time ◽  
Abnormal Level

Tyrosinase (TYR, E.C. 1.14.18.1), a critical enzyme participating in melanogenesis, catalyzes the first two steps in melanin biosynthesis including the ortho-hydroxylation of L-tyrosine and the oxidation of L-DOPA. Previous pharmacological investigations have revealed that an abnormal level of TYR is tightly associated with various dermatoses, including albinism, age spots, and malignant melanoma. TYR inhibitors can partially block the formation of pigment, which are always used for improving skin tone and treating dermatoses. The practical and reliable assays for monitoring TYR activity levels are very useful for both disease diagnosis and drug discovery. This review comprehensively summarizes structural and enzymatic characteristics, catalytic mechanism and substrate preference of TYR, as well as the recent advances in biochemical assays for sensing TYR activity and their biomedical applications. The design strategies of various TYR substrates, alongside with several lists of all reported biochemical assays for sensing TYR including analytical conditions and kinetic parameters, are presented for the first time. Additionally, the biomedical applications and future perspectives of these optical assays are also highlighted. The information and knowledge presented in this review offer a group of practical and reliable assays and imaging tools for sensing TYR activities in complex biological systems, which strongly facilitates high-throughput screening TYR inhibitors and further investigations on the relevance of TYR to human diseases.

scholarly journals Hexapod Assassins’ Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 819
Author(s):  
Nicolai Rügen ◽  
Timothy P. Jenkins ◽  
Natalie Wielsch ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Benjamin-Florian Hempel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Systemic Reactions ◽  
Venom Composition ◽  
Assassin Bug ◽  
Molecular Components ◽  
First Time ◽  
Tissue Digestion

Assassin bug venoms are potent and exert diverse biological functions, making them potential biomedical goldmines. Besides feeding functions on arthropods, assassin bugs also use their venom for defense purposes causing localized and systemic reactions in vertebrates. However, assassin bug venoms remain poorly characterized. We collected the venom from the assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus and investigated its composition and bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. It caused lysis of murine neuroblastoma, hepatoma cells, and healthy murine myoblasts. We demonstrated, for the first time, that assassin bug venom induces neurolysis and suggest that it counteracts paralysis locally via the destruction of neural networks, contributing to tissue digestion. Furthermore, the venom caused paralysis and melanization of Galleria mellonella larvae and pupae, whilst also possessing specific antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, but not Listeria grayi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combinatorial proteo-transcriptomic approach was performed to identify potential toxins responsible for the observed effects. We identified neurotoxic Ptu1, an inhibitory cystin knot (ICK) toxin homologous to ω-conotoxins from cone snails, cytolytic redulysins homologous to trialysins from hematophagous kissing bugs, and pore-forming hemolysins. Additionally, chitinases and kininogens were found and may be responsible for insecticidal and cytolytic activities. We demonstrate the multifunctionality and complexity of assassin bug venom, which renders its molecular components interesting for potential biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Raman spectroscopic detection of interleukin-10 and angiotensin converting enzyme

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Zhang ◽  
Frederieke A. M. van der Mee ◽  
Roel J. Erckens ◽  
Carroll A. B. Webers ◽  
Tos T. J. M. Berendschot
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Interleukin 10 ◽  
Spectral Features ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Raman Spectroscopic ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Confocal Raman ◽  
First Time ◽  
Enzyme Characteristic

AbstractIn this report we present a confocal Raman system to identify the unique spectral features of two proteins, Interleukin-10 and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme. Characteristic Raman spectra were successfully acquired and identified for the first time to our knowledge, showing the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive investigation tool for biomedical applications.

scholarly journals Phosphatidylserine-Gold Nanoparticles (PS-AuNP) Induce Prostate and Breast Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1094
Author(s):  
Allan Radaic ◽  
Nam E. Joo ◽  
Soo-Hwan Jeong ◽  
Seong-II Yoo ◽  
Nicholas Kotov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Breast And Prostate Cancer ◽  
First Time

Prostate and breast cancer are the current leading causes of new cancer cases in males and females, respectively. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an essential lipid that mediates macrophage efferocytosis and is dysregulated in tumors. Therefore, developing therapies that selectively restore PS may be a potential therapeutic approach for carcinogenesis. Among the nanomedicine strategies for delivering PS, biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have an extensive track record in biomedical applications. In this study, we synthesized biomimetic phosphatidylserine-caped gold nanoparticles (PS-AuNPs) and tested their anticancer potential in breast and prostate cancer cells in vitro. We found that both cell lines exhibited changes in cell morphology indicative of apoptosis. After evaluating for histone-associated DNA fragments, a hallmark of apoptosis, we found significant increases in DNA fragmentation upon PS-AuNP treatment compared to the control treatment. These findings demonstrate the use of phosphatidylserine coupled with gold nanoparticles as a potential treatment for prostate and breast cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a phosphatidylserine-capped AuNP has been examined for its therapeutic potential in cancer therapy.

Novel Baddeleyite-Based Zirconia Ceramics for Biomedical Applications

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Alexander I. Tyurin ◽  
Andrey O. Zhigachev ◽  
Alexey V. Umrikhin ◽  
Vyacheslav V. Rodaev ◽  
Tatyana S. Pirozhkova
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Tetragonal Phase ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Zirconia Ceramics ◽  
Engineering Ceramics ◽  
Synthesis Conditions ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties ◽  
First Time

For the first time nanostructured engineering ceramics were prepared from natural zirconia mineral (baddeleyite) with CaO as a tetragonal phase stabilizer. The effect of synthesis conditions on microstructure and mechanical properties of the baddeleyite-based ceramics is reported, furthermore, the effect of calcia content on hardness and fracture toughness is studied. Optimal calcia concentration and synthesis conditions are found, corresponding hardness and fracture toughness values are 10,8 GPa and 13,3 MPa×m1/2. The reported mechanical properties are comparable to those typically reported for yttria-stabilized engineering zirconia ceramics, prepared from chemically synthesized zirconia.

Efficient Modulation of Catalytic Performance of Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction with Transition Metal Anchored N/O-codoped Graphene by Coordination Engineering

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Wang ◽  
Li-Ming Yang
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Transition Metal ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
First Principles ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Catalytic Performance ◽  
Nitrogen Reduction ◽  
Highly Efficient ◽  
First Time

We for the first time report the discovery of a series of highly efficient electrocatalysts, i.e., transition metal anchored N/O-codoped graphene, for nitrogen fixation via high-throughput screening combined with first-principles...

scholarly journals Metal Nanozymes: New Horizons in Cellular Homeostasis Regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 9019
Author(s):  
Hanna Lewandowska ◽  
Karolina Wójciuk ◽  
Urszula Karczmarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Cellular Homeostasis ◽  
Cellular Redox ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Homeostasis Regulation ◽  
State Changes

Nanomaterials with enzyme-like activity (nanozymes) have found applications in various fields of medicine, industry, and environmental protection. This review discusses the use of nanozymes in the regulation of cellular homeostasis. We also review the latest biomedical applications of nanozymes related to their use in cellular redox status modification and detection. We present how nanozymes enable biomedical advances and demonstrate basic design strategies to improve diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy in various diseases. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and future directions for developing nanozymes for applications in the regulation of the redox-dependent cellular processes and detection in the cellular redox state changes.

scholarly journals Bio-inspired silver selenide nano-chalcogens using aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis with biological activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Zahra Mirzaei ◽  
Hamed Esmaeil Lashgarian ◽  
Maryam Karkhane ◽  
Kiana Shahzamani ◽  
Alaa Kamil Alhameedawi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Size Range ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Spherical Shape ◽  
Silver Selenide ◽  
Melilotus Officinalis ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
Dpph Scavenging ◽  
First Time

AbstractFor the first time, an aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis was used to synthesize bimetallic silver selenide chalcogenide nanostructures (Ag2Se-NCs). The formation of NCs was confirmed and characterized by UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and TEM imaging, XRD and EDX crystallography, zeta potential (ZP) and size distribution (DLS). The bioactivities of biosynthesized Ag2Se-NCs, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials, were then examined. Bio-based Ag2Se-NCs were successfully synthesized with mostly spherical shape in the size range of 20–40 nm. Additionally, the MIC and MBC values of Ag2Se-NCs against β-lactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) were 3.12 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. The DPPH scavenging potential of Ag2Se-NCs in terms of IC50 was estimated to be 58.52. Green-synthesized Ag2Se-NCs have been shown to have promising benefits and could be used for biomedical applications. Although the findings indicate promising bioactivity of Ag2Se-NCs synthesized by M. officinalis extract (MO), more studies are required to clarify the comprehensive mechanistic biological activities.

scholarly journals Research fronts of Chemical Biology

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Lv
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Chemical Biology ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Diagnostic Technologies

Abstract Over the past decades, researchers have witnessed substantially increasing and ever-growing interests and efforts in Chemical Biology studies, thanks to the development of genome and epi-genome sequencing (revealing potential drug targets), synthetic chemistry (producing new medicines), bioorthogonal chemistry (chemistry in living systems) and high-throughput screening technologies (in vitro cell systems, protein binding assays and phenotypic assays). This report presents literature search results for current research in Chemical Biology, to explore basic principles, summarize recent advances, identify key challenges, and provide suggestions for future research (with a focus on Chemical Biology in the context of human health and diseases). Chemical Biology research can positively contribute to delivering a better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that accompany pathology underlying diseases, as well as developing improved methods for diagnosis, drug discovery, and therapeutic delivery. While much progress has been made, as shown in this report, there are still further needs and opportunities. For instance, pressing challenges still exist in selecting appropriate targets in biological systems and adopting more rational design strategies for the development of innovative and sustainable diagnostic technologies and medical treatments. Therefore, more than ever, researchers from different disciplines need to collaborate to address the challenges in Chemical Biology.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document