Category Archives: Uncategorized
Expression of antioxidant enzymes genes in the liver and cardiac tissues of rats under L-carnitine administration and high-intensity interval exercise training
B. Shahouzehi1,2, Y. Masoumi-Ardakani3, S. Aminizadeh3, H. Nasri2*
1Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
2Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
3Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
*e-mail: dr_hrnasri@yahoo.com
Received: 29 September 2020; Accepted: 07 July 2021
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are produced in the body both in normal and pathological processes and can alter cell redox and affect cell functions. Exercise training is able to modulate oxidant/antioxidants balance. In this study, we aimed to evaluate expression of antioxidant enzymes genes in the liver and cardiac tissues of rats that performed high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and received L-carnitine (LCAR). Thirty-two male Wistar rats were were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 8) as follows: 1. Untreated control; 2. The group that received LCAR (200 mg/kg/day i.p.); 3. The group that performed HIIT on a readmill (5 days/week for 4 weeks); 4. The group that received LCAR and performed HIIT. At the end of the study, liver and cardiac tissues were excised and used to quantify glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and NF-κB genes expression by real-time PCR. It was found that both in LCAR and HIIT groups GPX, SOD and NF-κB (P < 0.01) expression in cardiac and liver tissues was significantly increased compared to the indices in the control group. In LCAR-HIIT group SOD and NF-κB expression in the liver was significantly increased compared to the group that received LCAR only (P = 0.046). Our results showed that LCAR supplementation is useful to improve oxidative status in cardiac and liver tissues of rat during exercise training.
Effect of IRAK1/4 inhibitor on IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ and TNF-α expression in breast cancer cells of several lines
M. Rezaei1, B. Shahouzehi2,4, S. Rahemi1,3, H. Fallah1*, M. Salarkarimi1
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
2Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
3Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
4Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
*e-mail: hf59ma@gmail.com
Received: 28 July 2020; Accepted: 07 July 2021
Recent studies have shown that inflammation mediated via interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAKs) is associated with cancer cells drug resistance. We aimed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines as the potential mechanism involved in the development of cancer cells resistance to conventional chemotherapy drugs. Breast cancer cells of BT549, BT20 and MB468 lines were treated with IRAK 1/4 inhibitor alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents methotrexate and topotecan. Expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ genes was quantified by real-time PCR. It was found that IRAK1/4 inhibitor suppressed IL-1β expression in BT549 cells at most and had minimal effect on IL-6 expression in MB468 cells. For the first time we showed that concomitant use of IRAK1/4 inhibitor with topotecan and methotrexate reduced IL-1β, IFN γ, TNF-α and IL-6 expression in BT-20, BT-549, MB-468 cell lines compared to the controls. It is suggested that specific IRAK inhibitors in combination with conventional chemotherapy can be used in cancer treatment to increase drug sensitivity and decrease the risk of tumor recurrence.
miR-329-containing exosomes derived from breast tumor cells suppress VEGF and KDM1A expression in endothelial cells
N. Maleki1,2,3*, F. Karami1, S. Heyati2, M. HadiZadeh3, Gh. Parnian4*
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic Azad University-Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran;
*e-mail: dr.nargesmaleki@yahoo.com;
2Gynecology and reproductive biology Department, Kowsar poly-clinic, Tehran, Iran;
3Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
4Appletree Medical group, 275 Dundad W (Grange), Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
*e-mail: ghazalehparnian1@gmail.com
Received: 03 February 2021; Accepted: 07 July 2021
The exosomal transfer of miRNAs from tumor cells is considered to modulate VEGF expression and angiogenesis in endothelial cells. The aim of our investigation was to focus exclusively on the ability of specific exosomal miR329 to regulate angiogenesis within breast tumor. All experiments were done on MCF-7 and HUVEC cell lines. Exosomes were derived from MCF-7 cells both untreated and treated with tamoxifen that is an effecrive suppressor of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The level of miR32 and its targeted genes VEGF and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1A (KDM1A) expression was estimated with q-RT-PCR. The PKH26 red fluorescent labeling kit was used to label the isolated exosomes and monitor their uptake. It was shown that the relative amount of miR-329 in exosomes was twice as large as in breast cancer cells. Fluorescence microscopy imaging presented that exosomes from MCF-7 cells were able to penetrate into endothelial cells and concentrate in the cytoplasm. It was observed that exosomes derived from untreated breast cancer cells induced KDM1A and VEGF gene expressions whereas exosomes from tamoxifen-treated cancer cells induced time-dependent decrease of KDM1A and VEGF expression in endothelial cells. It is assumed that the transfer of miR-329 containing exosomes from tamoxifen treated breast cancer cells to the endothelial cells could repress angiogenic molecular signaling pathway and be used as a supplementary strategy in breast cancer treatment.
Тhiacalix[4]arene phosphonate C-800 as a novel fluorescent probe for zinc in living cells
V. I. Yavorovska1, R. D. Labyntseva1*, O. V. Bevza1, A. Y. Pugach1,
A. B. Drapailo2, S. O. Cherenok2, V. I. Kalchenko2, S. O. Kosterin1
1Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Institute of Organic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: raisa.lab@gmail.com
Received: 07 April 2021; Accepted: 07 July 2021
Zn ions are significant for maintaining the proper human organism functioning, thus monitoring the zinc content in living cells and the development of sensitive tracking systems and sensors for Zn is particularly important. The purpose of the work was to study the properties of synthetic thiacalix[4]arene C-800 (5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(hydroxy-ethoxyphosphonyl)methyl])-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxythiacalix[4]arene) as a fluorescent sensor for zinc ions in living cells. Our studies demonstrated that thiacalix[4]arene C-800 containing four hydroxy-ethoxyphosphonylmethyl groups on the upper rim exhibited fluorescent properties at 340 nm excitation wavelength. Fluorescence intensity of thiacalix[4]arene C-800 was increased significantly in the presence of Zn cations, while cations of other metals, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ did not affect it. Computer modeling demonstrated that two Zn cations interact with the oxygen atoms of four hydroxy-ethoxyphosphonylmethyl groups. It was shown that thiacalix[4]arene C-800 quickly penetrated rat myometrial cells that led to an increased intracellular fluorescence level. The addition of Zn2+ to cells, stained with thiacalix[4]arene C-800, was followed an even greater increase of intracellular fluorescent signal intensity. No effect of thiacalix[4]arene C-800 on reactive oxygen species production in myometrial cells was detected as well as on cells viability in the range of its 50-250 μM concentrations. Thus, thiacalix[4]arene C-800 can potentially be used as a selective fluorescent probe for the detection of Zn2+ in living cells.
Chlorine-binding structures: role and organization in different proteins
R. Yu. Marunych*, O. O. Hrabovskyi, G. K. Bereznytskyj,
L. V. Pyrogova, G. K. Gogolinskaya, Ye. M. Makogonenko
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: rostmarbiotech@gmail.com
Received: 29 September 2020; Accepted: 07 July 2021
The review focuses on chloride-binding structures in the proteins of bacteria, plants, viruses and animals. The structure and amino acid composition of the chloride-binding site and its role in the functioning of structural, regulatory, transport, receptor, channel proteins, transcription factors and enzymes are considered. Data on the important role of chloride-binding structures and chloride anions in the polymerization of fibrin are presented.
A legend in his own lifetime: double Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling
T. V. Danylova1*, S. V. Komisarenko2
1National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: danilova_tv@ukr.net;
2Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail:svk@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 19 April 2021; Accepted: 17 May 2021
Linus Pauling – a prominent American chemist, biochemist, chemical engineer, peace activist, author, and educator – was one of the scientists-humanists whose life echoed the key milestones of the 20th century and who could be compared with Leonardo da Vinci in terms of the breadth of interests and creative achievements. He is one of the four scientists to have won two Nobel Prizes (the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1954; the Nobel Peace Prize 1962) and the only one to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. As a result of his long-lasting research, Pauling formulated a theory of structure and function of proteins; studied the effect of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin on its magnetic properties, laid the foundations for structural analysis of protein molecules, made a contribution to the study of antibodies. Believing that people had to develop a new type of thinking for the sake of the survival of humanity, Linus Pauling spoke out strongly against nuclear testing, and the contemporary world is indebted to Pauling for his courage and moral leadership in reminding us about the dangers of nuclear war. The versatile innovative activities of the brilliant scientist and humanist Linus Pauling, his unconventional personality, and the huge scientific heritage have left a deep mark in the history of humankind.
Discovery of cell apoptosis regulation genes: Sydney Brenner, John E. Sulston and H. Robert Horvitz (The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2002)
M. V. Grigorieva*, V. M. Danilova, S. V. Komisarenko
Palladin Biochemistry Institute, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: mvgrigorieva@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 24 Nobember 2020; Accepted: 23 April 2021
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2002 was awarded to Sydney Brenner, Howard Robert Horvitz and John Edward Sulston for their discoveries concerning “genetic regulation of organ development and programmed cell death”. The scientists studied cell division and differentiation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans from the fertilized egg to the adult organism. As a result of their studies, key genes regulating organ development and programmed cell death (apoptosis) were identified, and corresponding genes were shown to exist in higher species, including humans. These discoveries shed light on the pathogenesis of many diseases and were important for further medical research.
Application of petri nets methodology to determine biophysicochemical parameters of mitochondria functioning
H. V. Danylovych*, A. Yu. Chunikhin, Yu. V. Danylovych, S. O. Kosterin
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: danylovych@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 01 Nobember 2020; Accepted: 17 May 2021
With the use of Petri net methodology a mathematical simulation model able to predict simultaneous changes in biophysicochemical parameters of mitochondria functioning was developed. The model allowed to interconnect in time the changes in mitochondria hydrodynamic diameter, electronic transport chain functioning, endogenous fluorescence of adenine nucleotides, DCF fluorescence signal of ROS production and NaN3 effects. It was shown that the calculated values of the studied biophysicalchemical parameters correspond to those obtained experimentally. The model permit to link mitochondrial functional changes and their structural representation and to optimize significantly experimental procedures.