scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of 24-Dehydrocholesterol Reductase (DHCR24) in the Two-Spotted Cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 782
Author(s):  
Yin Shan Isa Mack ◽  
Masatoshi Dehari ◽  
Nobukatsu Morooka ◽  
Shinji Nagata
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Cholesterol Biosynthesis ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Gryllus Bimaculatus ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Anterior Midgut

Arthropods, including insects, convert sterols into cholesterol due to the inability to synthesise cholesterol de novo. 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) plays an important role in the conversion. Not only involving the cholesterol biosynthesis in vertebrates, DHCR24 is required for the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in phytophagous insects. The current study extensively examined DHCR24 in omnivorous insects, which feed on both plants and animals, using Gryllus bimaculatus as the experimental model. We identified cDNAs encoding two homologues of DHCR24 from G. bimaculatus, which were designated as GbDHCR24-1 and GbDHCR24-2. Both homologues contained the flavin adenine dinucleotide binding domain, which is a feature of DHCR24. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that among tissues of adult crickets, fat body and anterior midgut expressed high levels of GbDHCR24s. Both fat body and anterior midgut demonstrated DHCR24 activities in which one of the functions is the conversion of desmosterol into cholesterol in vitro. Knockdown of GbDHCR24-1 significantly reduced the conversion activity in the anterior midgut while knockdown of the GbDHCR24-2 did not. Additionally, the accumulation of desmosterol was detected in a feeding experiment with a specific DHCR24 inhibitor, azacosterol. We finally concluded that GbDHCR24-1 is the major enzyme that facilitates the desmosterol-to-cholesterol-conversion in crickets.

Identification and characterization of undifferentiated mast cells in mouse bone marrow

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 105 (11) ◽  
pp. 4282-4289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Célia Jamur ◽  
Ana Cristina G. Grodzki ◽  
Elsa H. Berenstein ◽  
Majed M. Hamawy ◽  
Reuben P. Siraganian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mast Cell ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Mouse Bone Marrow ◽  
Immunomagnetic Isolation ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Mast Cell Population

Abstract Sequential immunomagnetic isolation with 2 monoclonal antibodies was used to purify and characterize an undifferentiated mast cell in adult mouse bone marrow that had not been previously recognized. This cell represents 0.02% of the cells in the bone marrow, is CD34+, CD13+, and c-kit+, and does not express FcϵRI. However, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the cell contains message for the α and β subunits of FcϵRI, mast cell–specific proteases, and carboxypeptidase A. Morphologically, this cell has a large nucleus, little cytoplasm, few cytoplasmic organelles, and no cytoplasmic granules. In vitro, in the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and stem cell factor (SCF) these cells differentiate only into a granulated mast cell that now expresses CD13, c-kit, mast cell–specific gangliosides, FcϵRI, and binds immunoglobulin E (IgE). When injected into lethally irradiated mice, these cells are able to reconstitute the mast cell population in the spleen.

Characterization of the Original Christmas Disease Mutation (Cysteine 206 → Serine): From Clinical Recognition to Molecular Pathogenesis

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 063-065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherryl A M Taylor ◽  
Jacalyn Duffin ◽  
Cherie Cameron ◽  
Jerome Teitel ◽  
Bernadette Garvey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleotide Substitution ◽  
Novel Mutation ◽  
Factor Ix ◽  
Causative Mutation ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Splice Junctions

SummaryChristmas disease was first reported as a distinct clinical entity in two manuscripts published in 1952 (1, 2). The eponym associated with this disorder, is the surname of the first patient examined in detail and reported by Biggs and colleagues in a paper describing the clinical and laboratory features of seven affected individuals (3). This patient has severe factor IX coagulant deficiency (less than 0.01 units/ml) and no detectable circulating factor IX antigen (less than 0.01 units/ml). Coding sequence and splice junctions of the factor IX gene from this patient have been amplified in vitro through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One nucleotide substitution was identified at nucleotide 30,070 where a guanine was replaced by a cytosine. This mutation alters the amino acid encoded at position 206 in the factor IX protein from cysteine to serine. The non conservative nature of this substitution, the absence of this change in more than 200 previously sequenced factor IX genes and the fact that the remainder of the coding region of this gene was normal, all provide strong circumstantial evidence in favour of this change being the causative mutation in this patient. The molecular characterization of this novel mutation in the index case of Christmas disease, contributes to the rapidly expanding body of knowledge pertaining to Christmas disease pathogenesis.

scholarly journals The Banana Root Endophytome: Differences between Mother Plants and Suckers and Evaluation of Selected Bacteria to Control Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Carmen Gómez-Lama Cabanás ◽  
Antonio J. Fernández-González ◽  
Martina Cardoni ◽  
Antonio Valverde-Corredor ◽  
Javier López-Cepero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
Canary Islands ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Fungal Communities ◽  
Phenological Stage ◽  
Mother Plants ◽  
Fusarium Wilt Of Banana ◽  
Identification And Characterization

This study aimed to disentangle the structure, composition, and co-occurrence relationships of the banana (cv. Dwarf Cavendish) root endophytome comparing two phenological plant stages: mother plants and suckers. Moreover, a collection of culturable root endophytes (>1000) was also generated from Canary Islands. In vitro antagonism assays against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) races STR4 and TR4 enabled the identification and characterization of potential biocontrol agents (BCA). Eventually, three of them were selected and evaluated against Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) together with the well-known BCA Pseudomonas simiae PICF7 under controlled conditions. Culturable and non-culturable (high-throughput sequencing) approaches provided concordant information and showed low microbial diversity within the banana root endosphere. Pseudomonas appeared as the dominant genus and seemed to play an important role in the banana root endophytic microbiome according to co-occurrence networks. Fungal communities were dominated by the genera Ophioceras, Cyphellophora, Plecosphaerella, and Fusarium. Overall, significant differences were found between mother plants and suckers, suggesting that the phenological stage determines the recruitment and organization of the endophytic microbiome. While selected native banana endophytes showed clear antagonism against Foc strains, their biocontrol performance against FWB did not improve the outcome observed for a non-indigenous reference BCA (strain PICF7).

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Novel Antioxidant Protein Hydrolysates from Kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus L.)

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 645
Author(s):  
Sergio Montserrat-de la Paz ◽  
Alicia Martinez-Lopez ◽  
Alvaro Villanueva-Lazo ◽  
Justo Pedroche ◽  
Francisco Millan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Protein Isolate ◽  
Protein Hydrolysates ◽  
Antioxidant Peptides ◽  
Amaranthus Caudatus ◽  
Intact Proteins ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) is considered one of the few multipurpose pseudocereals for its potential use not only as a source of nutrients and fiber but also for its bioactive compounds. In recent years, antioxidant peptides are commonly used as functional ingredient of food. Herein, a kiwicha protein isolate (KPI), obtained from kiwicha defatted flour (KDF), was hydrolyzed by Bioprotease LA 660, a food-grade endoprotease, under specific conditions. The resulting kiwicha protein hydrolysates (KPHs) were chemically characterized and their digestibility and antioxidant capacity were evaluated by in vitro cell-free experiments owing to their measure of capacity to sequester DPPH free radical and reducing power. KPHs showed higher digestibility and antioxidant capacity than intact proteins into KPI. Therefore, the results shown in this study indicate that KPHs could serve as an adequate source of antioxidant peptides, representing an effective alternative to the generation of functional food.

scholarly journals Identification and Functional Characterization of a Cold-Related Protein, BcHHP5, in Pak-Choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis)

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Jin Wang ◽  
Feiyi Huang ◽  
Xiong You ◽  
Xilin Hou
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Rapa ◽  
Abiotic Stresses ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Regulation Mechanism ◽  
Pak Choi ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Related Proteins

In plants, heptahelical proteins (HHPs) have been shown to respond to a variety of abiotic stresses, including cold stress. Up to the present, the regulation mechanism of HHP5 under low temperature stress remains unclear. In this study, BcHHP5 was isolated from Pak-choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis cv. Suzhouqing). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis indicated that BcHHP5 in Pak-choi is similar to AtHHP5 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Structure analysis showed that the structure of the BcHHP5 protein is relatively stable and highly conservative. Subcellular localization indicated that BcHHP5 was localized on the cell membrane and nuclear membrane. Furthermore, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that BcHHP5 was induced to express by cold and other abiotic stresses. In Pak-choi, BcHHP5-silenced assay, inhibiting the action of endogenous BcHHP5, indicated that BcHHP5-silenced might have a negative effect on cold tolerance, which was further confirmed. All of these results indicate that BcHHP5 might play a role in abiotic response. This work can serve as a reference for the functional analysis of other cold-related proteins from Pak-choi in the future.

Identification and characterization of de novo TP53 mutation carriers in Li-Fraumeni syndrome families: A single institution experience.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10538-10538
Author(s):  
Carlos Christian Vera Recio ◽  
Jessica Corredor ◽  
Elissa Dodd-Eaton ◽  
Angelica M. Gutierrez-Barrera ◽  
Najat C. Daw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tp53 Mutation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
De Novo Mutation ◽  
Brier Score ◽  
Li Fraumeni Syndrome ◽  
Mutation Carriers ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Li Fraumeni ◽  
Identification And Characterization

10538 Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an inherited cancer syndrome mainly caused by a deleterious mutation in TP53. An estimated 48% of LFS patients present due to a deleterious de novo mutation (DNM) in TP53. The knowledge of DNM status, DNM or familial mutation (FM), of an LFS patient requires genetic testing of both parents which is often inaccessible, making de novo LFS patients an understudied population. Famdenovo.TP53 is a Mendelian Risk prediction model used to predict DNM status of TP53 mutation carriers based on the cancer-family history and several input genetic parameters, including disease-gene penetrance. The good predictive performance of Famdenovo.TP53 was demonstrated using data collected from four historical US cohorts. We hypothesize that by incorporating penetrance estimates that are specific for different types of cancers diagnosed in family members, we can develop a model with further improved calibration, accuracy and prediction. Methods: We present Famdenovo.CS, which uses cancer-specific penetrance estimates that were derived previously using a Bayesian semi-parametric competing risk model, to calculate the DNM probability. We use our model to analyze 101 families recently collected from the Clinical Cancer Genetic program at MD Anderson Cancer Center (CCG-TP53) that includes 20 families with known DNM status and 81 families with unknown DNM status. We used the concordance index (AUC), observed:expected ratios (OE) and Brier score (BS) to measure our model’s discrimination, calibration and accuracy, respectively. We estimate the proportion of probands that present a DNM and compare DNM to FM carriers in several areas including: cancer types diagnosed, age at diagnosis, number of primary cancers diagnosed, sex, amino acid change caused by mutation in TP53. Results: Famdenovo.CS showed equally good discrimination and calibration performance to Famdenovo.TP53, while improving the overall accuracy, demonstrated by a decrease in the Brier score of -0.09 (95% CI: [-0.02, -0.19]). Of the 101 probands in the CCG-TP53 cohort, we predict 39 to be DNMs and 62 to be FMs. The cancer types and ages of diagnosis observed in FMs and DNMs are similarly distributed. Conclusions: Famdenovo.CS shows improved model accuracy in the CCG cohort. DNMs in TP53 are a prevalent cause of LFS and we did not find differences in the clinical characteristics of DNM and FM carriers. Our model allows for a systematic identification and characterization of TP53 DNM carriers.

scholarly journals In Vitro Identification and Characterization of CD133pos Cancer Stem-Like Cells in Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Lines

PLoS ONE ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. e3544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Zito ◽  
Pierina Richiusa ◽  
Alessandra Bommarito ◽  
Elvira Carissimi ◽  
Leonardo Russo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Carcinoma Cell ◽  
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Carcinoma Cell Lines ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Thyroid Carcinoma Cell
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