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Background: Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) comprise a family of proteases responsible for cleaving the peptide or isopeptide bond between ubiquitin and its substrate proteins. Ubiquitin is essential for regulating diverse cellular functions by attaching to target proteins. The Hippo signaling pathway plays a crucial role in controlling tissue size, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In a previous study, we discovered that YOD1 regulates the Hippo signaling pathway by deubiquitinating the neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated protein 4 (NEDD4), an E3 ligase of large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1). Here, our aim was to investigate potential substrates of YOD1 implicated in the Hippo signaling pathway. Methods: We employed various bioinformatics tools (BioGRID, STRING, and Cytoscape) to identify novel potential substrates of YOD1. Furthermore, we used western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down, immunocytochemistry (ICC) assays to investigate cellular interactions. To evaluate cell proliferation, we performed cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, colony forming, and flow cytometry assays using A549, HEK293T, and HeLa cells. Additionally, we assessed the expression levels of YAP and p-YAP in A549, HEK293T, and HeLa cells through western blotting. Results: Our investigations revealed that YOD1 interacts with ubiquitin-specific proteases 21 (USP21), a DUB involved in the Hippo signaling pathway, and deubiquitinates the microtubule-affinity regulating kinase (MARK). Intriguingly, YOD1 and USP21 mutually deubiquitinate each other; while YOD1 regulates the protein stability of USP21, USP21 does not exert a regulatory effect on YOD1. Moreover, we observed the synergistic effect of YOD1 and USP21 on cell proliferation through the modulation of the Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our study revealed multiple cellular interactions between YOD1 and USP21. Moreover, our findings suggest that the combined activities of YOD1 and USP21 synergistically influence cell proliferation in A549 cells by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although damaged cells can be repaired, cells that are considered unlikely to be repaired are eliminated through apoptosis, a type of predicted cell death found in multicellular organisms. Apoptosis is a structured cell death involving alterations to the cell morphology and internal biochemical changes. This process involves the expansion and cracking of cells, changes in cell membranes, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosome cleavage, culminating in the damaged cells being eaten and processed by other cells. The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is a major cellular pathway that regulates the protein levels through proteasomal degradation. This review proposes that apoptotic proteins are regulated through the UPS and describes a unique direction for cancer treatment by controlling proteasomal degradation of apoptotic proteins, and small molecules targeted to enzymes associated with UPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Extracellular mycosynthesis of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs using Aspergillus sojae MCFF. • Physicochemical and morphological properties of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs. • Significant antibacterial efficiency of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs against foodborne pathogens. • Assessment of morphological changes of bacterial cells using microscopic analysis. Foodborne pathogenic bacteria cause a wide range of infectious diseases that pose a serious threat to human health worldwide with significant social and economic consequences. Nano metal oxides have attracted paramount attention owing to their remarkable antimicrobial potency. Microbial synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles has gained prominence due to cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. This study reports extracellular mycosynthesis of two nano metal oxides mediated by Aspergillus sojae mycelial cell-free filtrate (MCFF). A. sojae MCFF was reacted with cobalt chloride hexahydrate and zinc nitrate hexahydrate for the preparation of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs, respectively. After reacting with each metal salt, A. sojae MCFF changed from transparent to greyish-brown and white-milky suspensions, indicating the mycosynthesis of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs, respectively. Physicochemical and morphological properties of the two nano metal oxides were determined using various characterization techniques, involving XRD, FTIR, EDX, DLS, zeta potential analysis, XPS, and electron microscopy. The two nano metal oxides exhibited antibacterial potency against three foodborne pathogens. Co 3 O 4 NPs had zones of inhibition (ZOI) of 19.33 ± 0.58, 20.67 ± 0.58, and 22.67 ± 0.58 mm against Escherichia coli (ATCC 43889), Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium (ATCC 43174), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600), respectively. Whereas ZnO NPs had ZOI of 15.67 ± 0.58, 15.67 ± 0.58, and 14.33 ± 0.58 mm against the three foodborne pathogens, respectively. The intact morphological structures of the bacterial cells collapsed following exposure to A. sojae -mediated Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs, with some cells having irregular, twisted, and rough surfaces. The current study concluded that A. sojae mycelia acted as potential biological entity for the biosynthesis of Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs. A. sojae -derived Co 3 O 4 NPs and ZnO NPs can be potential candidates for use as antimicrobial nano metal oxides in food and pharmaceutical industries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last century, the demand for food resources has been continuously increasing with the rapid population growth. Therefore, it is critically important to adopt sustainable farming practices that can enhance crop production without the excessive use of fertilizers. In this regard, there is a growing interest in the use of nanomaterials for improving plant nutrition as an alternative to traditional chemical or mineral fertilizers. Using this technology, the efficiency of micro- and macro-nutrients in plants can increase. Various nanomaterials have been successfully applied in agricultural production, compared to conventional fertilizers. Among the major plant nutrients, phosphorus (P) is the least accessible since most farmlands are frequently P deficient. Hence, P use efficiency should be maximized to conserve the resource base and maintain agricultural productivity. This review summarizes the current research and the future possibilities of nanotechnology in the biofortification of plant nutrition, with a focus on P fertilizers. In addition, it covers the challenges, environmental impacts, and toxic effects that have been explored in the area of nanotechnology to improve crop production. The potential uses and benefits of nanoparticle-based fertilizers in precision and sustainable agriculture are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last century, the demand for food resources has been continuously increasing with the rapid population growth. Therefore, it is critically important to adopt sustainable farming practices that can enhance crop production without the excessive use of fertilizers. In this regard, there is a growing interest in the use of nanomaterials for improving plant nutrition as an alternative to traditional chemical or mineral fertilizers. Using this technology, the efficiency of micro- and macro-nutrients in plants can increase. Various nanomaterials have been successfully applied in agricultural production, compared to conventional fertilizers. Among the major plant nutrients, phosphorus (P) is the least accessible since most farmlands are frequently P deficient. Hence, P use efficiency should be maximized to conserve the resource base and maintain agricultural productivity. This review summarizes the current research and the future possibilities of nanotechnology in the biofortification of plant nutrition, with a focus on P fertilizers. In addition, it covers the challenges, environmental impacts, and toxic effects that have been explored in the area of nanotechnology to improve crop production. The potential uses and benefits of nanoparticle-based fertilizers in precision and sustainable agriculture are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is an essential protein quality controller for regulating protein homeostasis and autophagy. Ubiquitination is a protein modification process that involves the binding of one or more ubiquitins to substrates through a series of enzymatic processes. These include ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2), and ubiquitin ligases (E3). Conversely, deubiquitination is a reverse process that removes ubiquitin from substrates via deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Dysregulation of ubiquitination-related enzymes can lead to various human diseases, including cancer, through the modulation of protein ubiquitination. The most structurally and functionally studied DUB is the ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). Both the TRAF and UBL domains of USP7 are known to bind to the [P/A/E]-X-X-S or K-X-X-X-K motif of substrates. USP7 has been shown to be involved in cancer pathogenesis by binding with numerous substrates. Recently, a novel substrate of USP7 was discovered through a systemic analysis of its binding motif. This review summarizes the currently discovered substrates and cellular functions of USP7 in cancer and suggests putative substrates of USP7 through a comprehensive systemic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilized lipase has become one of the most important biocatalytic systems used for many industrial purposes, especially in the fuel, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. Immobilized lipase has advantages of good chemical and thermal stability, in addition to reuse and easy recovery, allowing it to serve as a replacement for chemical catalysts in industrial applications. In this regard, there has been rapidly growing interest in developing new support materials (SMs) and new protocols for lipase immobilization (LI). In this review, various types of SMs used for LI are extensively discussed, with clarification of their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, different methods of LI are explained with a particular emphasis on their respective benefits and drawbacks. The applications of immobilized lipase in producing biodiesel as well as other organic synthesis processes are summarized with a mention of future prospects and directions. • Lipase immobilization is very important process for many biocatalytic purposes. • There is a wide variety of materials used as supports for lipase immobilization. • Immobilized lipase is an effective catalyst used for organic synthesis and biosensing. • Immobilized lipase is successfully employed for biodiesel production and biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Co-suppression of chaperonicClpC1andClpC2inNicotiana benthamianasignificantly affect the development and exogenous application of gibberellin partially rescue the developmental defects. Over the past decade, the Clp protease complex has been identified as being implicated in plastid protein quality control in plant cells. CLPC1 and CLPC2 proteins form the chaperone subunits of the Clp protease complex and unfold protein substrates to thread them into the ClpP complex. Here, using the technique of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), we suppressed both Nicotiana benthamiana ClpC1 and ClpC2 (NbClpC1/C2) functioning as chaperone subunits in the protease complex. Co-suppression of NbClpC1/C2 caused chlorosis and retarded-growth phenotype with no seed formation and significantly reduced root length. We found that co-suppression of NbClpC1/C2 also affected stomata and trichome formation and vascular bundle differentiation and patterning. Analysis of phytohormones revealed significant alteration and imbalance of major hormones in the leaves of NbClpC1/C2 co-suppressed plant. We also found that application of gibberellin (GA3) partially rescued the developmental defects. Co-suppression of NbClpC1/C2 significantly affected the development of N. benthamiana and exogenous application of GA3 partially rescued the developmental defects. Overall, our findings demonstrate that CLPC1 and CLPC2 proteins have a pivotal role in plant growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review summarizes known interactions between cytokines and DUBs. • Some cytokines interact with DUBs to cause or magnify their effects. • Some DUBs are capable of inducing cytokines or their effects. • Interactions between cytokines and DUBs occur in various steps in multiple pathways. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are cysteine protease proteins that reverse the ubiquitination by removing ubiquitins from the target protein. With over 100 DUBs identified and categorized into at least 7 families, many DUBs interact with one or more cytokines, influencing cellular processes, such as antiviral responses, inflammatory responses, apoptosis, etc. While some DUBs influence cytokine pathway or production, some DUBs are cytokine-inducible. In this article, we summarize a list of DUBs, their interaction with cytokines, target proteins and mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conjugation of nanoparticles (NPs) with antibiotics for treating multidrug resistant pathogens has been enormously studied now a days. In the current investigation, calcium phosphate (CaP) NPs were produced by co-precipitation using red ginseng extract as the reducing agent and were conjugated to the antibiotic streptomycin to form streptomycin-conjugated NPs (CPG-S NPs). The CPG-S NPs antibacterial activity was evaluated in this study against eight plant and five foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The synthesized CPG-S NPs were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis. CPG-S NPs exhibited promising antibacterial activity against all eight plant pathogenic bacteria and three of the five foodborne pathogenic bacteria tested; the diameter of inhibition zones ranged between 9.74–16.95 mm and 9.82–15.84 mm, respectively. CPG-S NPs displayed 50–100 μg/mL of minimum inhibitory concentration and 100 μg/mL of minimum bactericidal concentration against the plant and foodborne pathogenic bacterial strains, respectively. Furthermore, the SEM image of bacteria treated with CPG-S NPs displayed cells with a ruptured cell wall and fewer cells compared to the SEM image of untreated control bacteria displaying uniform and intact cells. SEM confirmed that CPG-S NPs degraded the bacterial cell wall and membrane resulting in lysed bacterial cells. In conclusion, the results suggest that CPG-S NPs could be effectively utilized in formulating drugs to treat bacterial plant or dental diseases and in manufacturing dental products such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, and artificial teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitination is a reversible cellular process mediated by ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, whereas deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) detach the covalently conjugated ubiquitin from target substrates to counter ubiquitination. DUBs play a crucial role in regulating various signal transduction pathways and biological processes including apoptosis, cell proliferation, DNA damage repair, metastasis, differentiation, etc. Since the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway participates in various cellular functions such as inflammation, metastasis and embryogenesis, aberrant regulation of TGF-β signaling induces abnormal cellular functions resulting in numerous diseases. This review focuses on DUBs regulating the TGF-β signaling pathway. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of DUBs involved in TGF-β signaling pathway, and biological and therapeutic implications for various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cells undergo partitioning through mitosis and separate into specific cells of each of the three embryonic germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Pluripotency, reprogramming, and self-renewal are essential elements of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and it is becoming evident that regulation of protein degradation mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is one of the key cellular mechanisms in ESCs. Although the framework of that mechanism may seem simple, it involves complicated proteolytic machinery. The UPS controls cell development, survival, differentiation, lineage commitment, migration, and homing processes. This review is centered on the connection between stem cell factors NANOG, OCT-3/4, SOX2, KLF4, C-MYC, LIN28, FAK, and telomerase and the UPS. Herein, we summarize recent findings and discuss potential UPS mechanisms involved in pluripotency, reprogramming, differentiation, and self-renewal. Interactions between the UPS and stem cell transcription factors can apply to various human diseases which can be treated by generating more efficient iPSCs. Such complexes may permit the design of novel therapeutics and the establishment of biomarkers that may be used in diagnosis and prognosis development. Therefore, the UPS is an important target for stem cell therapeutic product research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a simple, rapid, and eco-friendly green method was introduced to synthesize magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) using the aqueous extracts of two food processing wastes, namely silky hairs of corn ( Zea mays L.) and outer leaves of Chinese cabbage ( Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis ). The boiled solutions of silky hairs (MH) and outer leaves of Chinese cabbage (CCP) were used to synthesize Fe 3 O 4 NPs under photo exposed condition. The MH-FeNPs and CCP-FeNPs synthesized via green route were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. The UV–Visible spectra displayed two absorption bands at 325 nm and 375 mm for the MH-FeNPs, and 325 mm and 365 mm for the CCP-FeNPs, respectively. The estimated absolute crystallite sizes of the MH-FeNPs and CCP-FeNPs were calculated to be 84.81 and 48.91 nm, respectively. VSM analysis revealed that both FeNPs were superparamagnetic in nature. Both FeNPs mixed with kanamycin and rifampicin displayed positive synergistic antibacterial activity against pathogenic foodborne bacteria (9.36–24.42 mm inhibition zones), and those mixed with amphotericin b also exerted synergistic anticandidal activity against five different pathogenic Candida species (9.81–17.68 mm inhibition zones). Both FeNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activities; therefore, all the properties of the green synthesized MH-FeNPs and CCP-FeNPs using food processing wastes could be beneficial for their potential applications in various fields such as drug delivery, antibacterial and anticandidal drugs, and biomedical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic changes on earth affect the soil quality of agricultural lands, especially by increasing salt deposition in soil, which results in soil salinity. Soil salinity is a major challenge to growth and reproduction among glycophytes (including all crop plants). Soil bacteria present in the rhizosphere and/or roots naturally protect plants from the adverse effects of soil salinity by reprogramming the stress-induced physiological changes in plants. Bacteria can enrich the soil with major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) in a form easily available to plants and prevent the transport of excess sodium to roots (exopolysaccharides secreted by bacteria bind with sodium ions) for maintaining ionic balance and water potential in cells. Salinity also affects plant growth regulators and suppresses seed germination and root and shoot growth. Bacterial secretion of indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellins compensates for the salt-induced hormonal decrease in plants, and bacterial 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase synthesis decreases ethylene production to stimulate plant growth. Furthermore, bacteria modulate the redox state of salinity-affected plants by enhancing antioxidants and polyamines, which leads to increased photosynthetic efficiency. Bacteria-induced accumulation of compatible solutes in stressed plants regulates plant cellular activities and prevents salt stress damage. Plant-bacterial interaction reprograms the expression of salt stress-responsive genes and proteins in salinity-affected plants, resulting in a precise stress mitigation metabolism as a defense mechanism. Soil bacteria increase the fertility of soil and regulate the plant functions to prevent the salinity effects in glycophytes. This review explains the current understanding about the physiological changes induced in glycophytes during bacterial interaction to alleviate the adverse effects of soil salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) is a highly perishable fruit crop comparable to mango owing to its high medicinal value and intense aroma. The presence of high genetic variability limits the chances of further expansion of guava improvement using biotechnological interventions. Conventional methods of guava improvement encountered with restricted achievement in progress of disease resistant varieties because of existing high genetic variability in the germplasm. There is a considerable demand for the establishment of successful and efficient regeneration protocols via somatic embryogenesis. Plants regenerated through somatic embryogenesis could be more useful than plants obtained through organogenesis because, in most cases, somatic embryos are of single-cell origin, and have a low frequency of chimeras and a high number of regenerations. This review is a snapshot of the recent status of somatic embryogenesis as a basis for expanding genetic improvement in guava for quality traits and future perspectives using advanced technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extract of silky hairs of corn (Zea mays L.) which is a waste material of the crop, as both a reducing and stabilising/capping agent. The AgNPs were characterised by UV‐visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The average size of AgNPs was found to be 249.12 nm. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial activity against five different foodborne pathogenic bacteria with diameter of inhibition zones ranged between (9.23 − 12.81 mm). It also exhibited potent synergistic antibacterial activity together with standard antibiotics, kanamycin (10.6 − 13.65 mm inhibition zones) and rifampicin (10.02 − 12.86 mm inhibition zones) and anticandidal activity with amphotericin b (10.57 − 13.63 mm inhibition zones). The AgNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity in terms of nitric oxide scavenging (IC50 91.56 µg/mL), ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) radical scavenging (IC50 115.75 µg/mL), DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging (IC50 385.87 µg/mL), and reducing power (IC0.5 23.14 µg/mL). This study demonstrated the synthesis of spherical AgNPs with strong antibacterial, anticandidal and antioxidant properties that could potentially be utilised in the biomedical, cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extract of silky hairs of corn (Zea mays L.) which is a waste material of the crop, as both a reducing and stabilising/capping agent. The AgNPs were characterised by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The average size of AgNPs was found to be 249.12 nm. The AgNPs displayed strong antibacterial activity against five different foodborne pathogenic bacteria with diameter of inhibition zones ranged between (9.23 - 12.81 mm). It also exhibited potent synergistic antibacterial activity together with standard antibiotics, kanamycin (10.6 - 13.65 mm inhibition zones) and rifampicin (10.02 - 12.86 mm inhibition zones) and anticandidal activity with amphotericin b (10.57 - 13.63 mm inhibition zones). The AgNPs exhibited strong antioxidant activity in terms of nitric oxide scavenging (IC50 91.56 µg/mL), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging (IC50 115.75 µg/mL), DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging (IC50 385.87 µg/mL), and reducing power (IC0.5 23.14 µg/mL). This study demonstrated the synthesis of spherical AgNPs with strong antibacterial, anticandidal and antioxidant properties that could potentially be utilised in the biomedical, cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was outlined to probe chemical composition, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities ofTaxus cuspidatastem essential oil (TCEO) using different antioxidant models followed by determination of its total phenolic content. The TCEO was obtained by hydrodistillation of stem material using a microwave-assisted extraction technique. Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis of the TCEO resulted in the determination of 87 different compounds, representing 92.3% of total oil. The oil contained monoand sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoand sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, phenolics, hydroxy derivatives, steroids, indole derivatives, and fatty acids as its major constituents. The TCEO showed antioxidant capacity as the inhibition of DPPH radical by 92.8%. Also the TCEO had potent inhibitory effect on nitric oxide, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals by 80.0%, 71.7%, and 73.7%, respectively. Moreover, the TCEO displayed concentration-dependent reducing power ability and remarkable ferric ion-induced lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect in bovine brain extract. In addition, the TCEO yielded 6.5 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g sample equivalent phenolic content. These findings confirm the biological efficacy ofT. cuspidatastem as a potential source of natural antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop yield loss caused by phytopathogens has a massive impact on global economy. For over a century, agrochemicals have been used for plant disease management; however, the excessive use of agrochemicals poses a threat to the environment and human health. Nanomaterials have been investigated in various agricultural applications, such as stress tolerance, seed germination, plant disease control, and plant growth enhancement. Nonetheless, the prevalent chemical and physical methods used for nanomaterial synthesis are uneconomical and involve hazardous reagents, which limit their widespread application in agriculture. Biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials provides natural reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents, making it cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient. With the advances in nanobiotechnology, biogenic nanomaterials can substitute agrochemicals and traditional nanoparticles for plant disease management, enabling the development of sustainable agriculture. This review provides an assessment of the recent advances in the diverse roles of biogenic NMs for controlling phytopathogens. In the first part of this review, the benefits and drawbacks of using traditional agrochemicals are highlighted. The next sections critically discuss the use of biogenic nanomaterials for the control of phytopathogens, with a special emphasis on controlling fungal, bacterial, and viral phytopathogens. The pros and cons of the biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials for phytopathogen control are elucidated. The ecological safety and challenging gaps of using biogenic nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture are discussed, highlighting the fate of biogenic nanomaterials in soil-plant ecosystem, with an evaluation of the potential threats to the soil ecosystem. Prospects to overcome the current limitations of biosynthesis and potential applications of biogenic nanomaterials for plant disease control are proposed to achieve sustainable agriculture. The biocidal potential of biogenic nanomaterials can be utilized as biological nano weapons for plant disease control, providing an insightful perspective for future generations. [Display omitted] • Biogenic nanoagroparticles are superior alternatives to conventional agrochemicals for plant disease control. • Potential impacts of biogenic nanomaterials for controlling phytopathogens. • Ecological safety, strengths, and weaknesses of biogenic NMs for sustainable agriculture are elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to synthesize silver chloride nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of outer peel of peach fruit (Prunus persicaL.) and to evaluate its antibacterial activity, synergistic antibacterial and anticandidal potential against five foodborne pathogenic bacteria and five pathogenicCandidaspecies respectively along with its antioxidant potential. The synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles (PE-AgClNPs) were visually confirmed with surface plasmon resonance peak at 440 nm upon UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis. Furthermore, the morphology, elemental composition and crystallinity nature were also characterized. PE-AgClNPs displayed strong antibacterial potentials (9.01–10.83 mm inhibition zone) against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and increased synergistic effect with kanamycin and rifampicin. PE-AgClNPs also displayed strong anticandidal synergistic activity with standard amphotericin b (10.51–14.01 mm inhibition zones), along with strong free radical scavenging and reducing power. Based on strong antibacterial and antioxidant capacities, PE-AgClNPs are anticipated to have potential applications in the biomedical and food sector industries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Foodborne illness and disease caused by foodborne pathogenic bacteria is continuing to increase day by day and it has become an important topic of concern among various food industries. Many types of synthetic antibacterial agents have been used in food processing and food preservation; however, they are not safe and have resulted in various health-related issues. Therefore, in the present study, essential oil from an edible seaweed, Enteromorpha linza (AEO), was evaluated for its antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, along with the mechanism of its antibacterial action. AEO at 25 mg/disc was highly active against Bacillus cereus (12.3–12.7 mm inhibition zone) and Staphylococcus aureus (12.7–13.3 mm inhibition zone). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of AEO ranged from 12.5–25 mg/mL. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of AEO revealed its strong impairing effect on the viability of bacterial cells and membrane permeability, as indicated by a significant increase in leakage of 260 nm absorbing materials and K+ ions from the cell membrane and loss of high salt tolerance. Taken together, these data suggest that AEO has the potential for use as an effective antibacterial agent that functions by impairing cell membrane permeability via morphological alternations, resulting in cellular lysis and cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food contamination with pathogenic microbes have increased dramatically during the last few decades, and going to be a major public health concern in many developing countries. Foodborne pathogens cause severe diseases to human beings including infants. Although a large number of foodbornepathogens exist, the overall increase in the number of infections is of relatively few emerging serotypes and phage types. A variety of foodborne pathogens have risen and fallen within large geographic regions, associated with several meta-outbreaks. Recently the emergence of resistance of foodborne pathogens to the antimicrobial drugs appears to pose a particular health risk. Several reports have indicated that infection due to the consumption of food contaminated with foodborne pathogens is associated with increased risk for invasive illness, and death. In general, antimicrobial drug resistance occurs frequently in zoonotic foodborne pathogens and is largely promoted by using antimicrobial drugs in food practices. Foodborne pathogens have become a matter of great concern because of their rapid dissemination and their ability to readily acquire additional resistance traits to other clinically important antimicrobial drug classes. There has been an increasing interest worldwide on versatile potential of natural products in controlling foodborne pathogens in food commodities using essential oils, especially from plant origin. This review deals with the novel findings on essential oils and their compounds for their possible applications in food industry against the foodborne pathogens.A reliable amount of description on the practical applications of essential oils in food practices has been described. We have also described the chemical nature and mode of action of essential oils. A brief summary on the use of essential oils in food system as future perspectives has also been discussed. Although an adequate information from literature is presented, this review mainly focusses on the food application of essential oils and their active compounds as natural antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is one of the most critical issues worldwide and is a priority in all scientific agendas. Green nanotechnology presents a plethora of promising avenues for wastewater treatment. This review discusses the current trends in the valorization of zero-cost, biodegradable, and readily available agro-industrial biowaste to produce green bio-nanocatalysts and bio-nanosorbents for wastewater treatment. The promising roles of green bio-nanocatalysts and bio-nanosorbents in removing organic and inorganic water contaminants are discussed. The potent antimicrobial activity of bio-derived nanodisinfectants against water-borne pathogenic microbes is reviewed. The bioactive molecules involved in the chelation and tailoring of green synthesized nanomaterials are highlighted along with the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, this review emphasizes how the valorization of agro-industrial biowaste to green nanomaterials for wastewater treatment adheres to the fundamental principles of green chemistry, circular economy, nexus thinking, and zero-waste manufacturing. The potential economic, environmental, and health impacts of valorizing agro-industrial biowaste to green nanomaterials are highlighted. The challenges and future outlooks for the management of agro-industrial biowaste and safe application of green nanomaterials for wastewater treatment are summarized. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of bio-nanosorbents, bio-nanocatalysts, and bio-nanodisinfectants. • Green synthesized NMs are promising candidates for wastewater treatment. • Valorization of agro-industrial biowaste approaches green chemistry and circular economy. • Ago-industrial biowaste contains a variety of biomolecules that mediate assembly of NMs. • Economic, environmental, and health impacts of valorizing agro-industrial biowaste to green NMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is the primary regulatory module of various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and stress responses. This pathway converts external stimuli to cellular responses via three major kinases: mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). Ubiquitination is a post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin, which results in the formation of mono- or poly-ubiquitin chains of substrate proteins. Conversely, removal of the ubiquitin by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) is known as deubiquitination. This review summarizes mechanisms of the MAPK signaling pathways (ERK1/2, ERK5, p38, and JNK1/2/3 signaling pathway) in cancers, and of E3 ligases and DUBs that target the MAPK signaling components such as Raf, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, MEKK2/3, MEKK1-4, TAK1, DLK1, MLK1-4, ASK1/2, and MKK3-7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the challenges, benefits and approaches associated with realizing largescale antenna arrays at mmWave frequency bands for future 5G cellular devices. Key design considerations are investigated to deduce a novel and practical phased array antenna solution operating at 28 GHz with near spherical coverage. The approach is further evolved into a first-of- a-kind cellular phone prototype equipped with mmWave 5G antenna arrays consisting of a total of 32 low-profile antenna elements. Indoor measurements are carried out using the presented prototype to characterize the proposed mmWave antenna system using 16-QAM modulated signals with 27.925 GHz carrier frequency. The biological implications due to the absorbed electromagnetic waves when using mmWave cellular devices are studied and compared in detail with those of 3/4G cellular devices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In ovarian cancer patients, the 5-year survival rate is 90% for stages I and II, but only 30% for stages III and IV. Unfortunately, as 75% of the patients are diagnosed at stages III and IV, many experience a recurrence. To ameliorate this, it is necessary to develop new biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment. The ubiquitin–proteasome system is a post-translational modification that plays an important role in regulating protein stability through ubiquitination. In particular, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) regulate protein stability through deubiquitinating substrate proteins. In this review, DUBs and substrates regulated by these enzymes are summarized based on their functions in ovarian cancer cells. This would be useful for the discovery of biomarkers for ovarian cancer and developing new therapeutic candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial biocontrol agents are efficient and environment-friendly in eradicating plant pathogenic bacteria. In recent years, Bacillus velezensis has gained popularity as a potential biocontrol agent in many countries. Several B. velezensis-based biocontrol products, previously identified as B. amyloliquefaciens or B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum, have received commercial approval, particularly in China and Europe. In this study, we compiled recent research findings on B. velezensis related to the production of antimicrobials, volatile organic compounds, induction of disease resistance, and the effect of this bacterium on plant growth promotion and yield. However, some recent research indicates that this important resource is also linked to several diseases in crops, including peach, onion, and potato, and the negative aspects of this bacterium in terms of its virulence traits to infect crops have not been summarized before. In this review, we compile the recent reports of this bacterium in term of its beneficial properties in agriculture. In addition, we also discuss several reports about its harmful effect on several crops as well. Therefore, due to the inherent pathogenicity of this bacterium to several crops, care must be taken when using it in a novel crop cultivation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The storage qualities of tomatoes were improved by blue light pretreatment. [•] Tomatoes maintained greater firmness with the blue light pretreatment. [•] For short-term storage, mature green tomatoes ripened most quickly in darkness. [•] Blue light pretreatment is an effective beneficial treatment for tomatoes storage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the most common form of an acute leukemia, is a malignant disorder of stem cell precursors of the myeloid lineage. Ubiquitination is one of the post-translational modifications (PTMs), and the ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls; SUMO, NEDD8, and ISG15) play a critical role in various cellular processes, including autophagy, cell-cycle control, DNA repair, signal transduction, and transcription. Also, the importance of Ubls in AML is increasing, with the growing research defining the effect of Ubls in AML. Numerous studies have actively reported that AML-related mutated proteins are linked to Ub and Ubls. The current review discusses the roles of proteins associated with protein ubiquitination, modifications by Ubls in AML, and substrates that can be applied for therapeutic targets in AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric nanocomposites have received significant attention in both scientific and industrial research in recent years. The demand for new methods of food preservation to ensure high-quality, healthy foods with an extended shelf life has increased. Packaging, a crucial feature of the food industry, plays a vital role in satisfying this demand. Polymeric nanocomposites exhibit remarkably improved packaging properties, including barrier properties, oxygen impermeability, solvent resistance, moisture permeability, thermal stability, and antimicrobial characteristics. Bio-based polymers have drawn considerable interest to mitigate the influence and application of petroleum-derived polymeric materials and related environmental concerns. The integration of nanotechnology in food packaging systems has shown promise for enhancing the quality and shelf life of food. This article provides a general overview of bio-based polymeric nanocomposites comprising polymer matrices and inorganic nanoparticles, and describes their classification, fabrication, properties, and applications for active food packaging systems with future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free radicals are generated as byproducts of normal metabolic processes as well as due to exposure to several environmental pollutants. They are highly reactive species, causing cellular damage and are associated with a plethora of oxidative stress-related diseases and disorders. Antioxidants can control autoxidation by interfering with free radical propagation or inhibiting free radical formation, reducing oxidative stress, improving immune function, and increasing health longevity. Antioxidant functionalized metal nanoparticles, transition metal oxides, and nanocomposites have been identified as potent nanoantioxidants. They can be formulated in monometallic, bimetallic, and multi-metallic combinations via chemical and green synthesis techniques. The intrinsic antioxidant properties of nanomaterials are dependent on their tunable configuration, physico-chemical properties, crystallinity, surface charge, particle size, surface-to-volume ratio, and surface coating. Nanoantioxidants have several advantages over conventional antioxidants, involving increased bioavailability, controlled release, and targeted delivery to the site of action. This review emphasizes the most pioneering types of nanoantioxidants such as nanoceria, silica nanoparticles, polydopamine nanoparticles, and nanocomposite-, polysaccharide-, and protein-based nanoantioxidants. This review overviews the antioxidant potential of biologically synthesized nanomaterials, which have emerged as significant alternatives due to their biocompatibility and high stability. The promising nanoencapsulation nanosystems such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and liposome nanoparticles are highlighted. The advantages, limitations, and future insights of nanoantioxidant applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-two wild, 16 intermediate and 20 cultivated soybean varieties were used to analyse relationships among the species of subgenus Soja, genus Glycine using 11 morphological traits and simple sequence repeat ( SSR) markers. These genotypes using eleven agronomic characteristics were divided into three clusters: cluster I included 20 G. max, cluster II included 12 intermediate, and cluster III included 22 G. soja and four intermediate lines. Genetic relationships among the species of subgenus Soja showed three distinct clusters. Cluster I consisted of 20 G. max cultivars and two intermediate type lines, and cluster II consisted of 13 intermediate type and two G. soja lines; however, cluster III consisted of 20 G. soja and one intermediate type lines. These phenotypic and genetic data suggest that the intermediate type lines could be distinguished between G. max and G. soja lines. However, the intermediate type could not be classified as a new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel antenna module solution which dramatically alleviates cost and fabrication related limitations of traditional 60-GHz antenna modules is demonstrated. The antenna topology is wholly devised using industry standard FR-4 PCB and is integrated into the 60-GHz transceiver carrier board. As a result, the proposed approach effectively bypasses the need for any complicated grid array assemblies for the first time to the author's best knowledge. The antenna element is first designed and confirmed to exhibit more than 9-GHz bandwidth and 71% average radiation efficiency from 57–66 GHz. The design is further expanded into an 8-element phased array module and integrated with a 60-GHz RFIC transceiver and digital interface. The overall footprint of the antenna module within the carrier board is 20\,\times\,20\,\times\, 0.838 mm^3 . System-level evaluation confirms the 8-element phased array module to be highly sufficient in scan range, side lobe levels and radiation efficiency for 60-GHz wireless systems, particularly in the field of consumer electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the possibility and feasibility of an ultralow-cost antenna-in-package (AiP) solution for the upcoming generation of wireless local area networks (WLANs) denoted as IEEE802.11ad. The iterative design procedure focuses on maximally alleviating the inherent disadvantages of high-volume FR4 process at 60 GHz such as its relatively high material loss and fabrication restrictions. Within the planar antenna package, the antenna element, vertical transition, antenna feedline, and low- and high-speed interfaces are allocated in a vertical schematic. A circular stacked patch antenna renders the antenna package to exhibit 10-dB return loss bandwidth from 57–66 GHz. An embedded coplanar waveguide (CPW) topology is adopted for the antenna feedline and features less than 0.24 dB/mm in unit loss, which is extracted from measured parametric studies. The fabricated single antenna package is 9 mm\,\times\,6 mm\,\times\,0.404 mm in dimension. A multiple-element antenna package is fabricated, and its feasibility for future phase array applications is studied. Far-field radiation measurement using an inhouse radio-frequency (RF) probe station validates the single-antenna package to exhibit more than 4.1–dBi gain and 76% radiation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The development of functional neural circuits in the central nervous system (CNS) requires the production of sufficient numbers of various types of neurons and glial cells, such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, at the appropriate periods and regions. Hence, severe neuronal loss of the circuits can cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Treatment of such neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuronal loss includes some strategies of cell therapy employing stem cells (such as neural progenitor cells (NPCs)) and gene therapy through cell fate conversion. In this report, we review how bHLH acts as a regulator in neuronal differentiation, reprogramming, and cell fate determination. Moreover, several different researchers are conducting studies to determine the importance of bHLH factors to direct neuronal and glial cell fate specification and differentiation. Therefore, we also investigated the limitations and future directions of conversion or transdifferentiation using bHLH factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bax protein is a pro-apoptotic protein belonging to the Bcl-2 family, involved in inducing apoptosis at the mitochondrial level. Regulating the protein levels of Bax is essential to enhancing apoptosis. In the current study, we ascertained the presence of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) associated with Bax by performing the yeast two-hybrid screening (Y2H). We determined that ubiquitin-specific protease 12 (USP12), one of the DUBs, is associated with Bax. The binding of USP12 to Bax shows the interaction as a DUB, which regulates ubiquitination on Bax. Taken together, we believe that USP12 regulates Bax by detaching ubiquitin on K63-linked chains, indicating that USP12 affects the cellular functions of Bax, but it is not related with proteasomal degradation. The half-life of the Bax protein was determined by performing the site-directed mutagenesis of putative ubiquitination sites on Bax (K128R, K189R, and K190R). Of these, Bax (K128R and K190R) showed less ubiquitination; therefore, we compared the half-life of Bax (WT) and Bax K mutant forms in vitro. Interestingly, Bax (K189R) showed a higher ubiquitination level and shorter half-life than Bax (WT), and the (K128R and K190R) mutant form has a longer half-life than Bax (WT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the past several years, limit of Salmonella infections has been exceeded dramatically. In spite of achieving a low rate infection in Salmonella infections, this microbe has become a challenge in food industry due to its wide-spread distribution worldwide. Salmonella bacteria are not only responsible for mild to severe infections but also they cause life-threatening infections. Salmonella bacteria are zoonotic in nature and hamper the food quality severely as well as being hazardous to human society. Several types of serotypic Salmonella have been reported; however, very less numbers of pathogens are infection responsible. Increase in foodborne infections caused by Salmonella types mainly occurs due to the development of new specific features in Salmonella majority, making them to adapt in any environmental condition. Also the alterations in human society with recent food processing and marketing methodology with live breeders contribute to facilitate these outbreaks. Salmonella resistant to commercial antibiotic drugs has emerged as a great health concern to the consumers. Literature survey has revealed that infection with Salmonella resistant to antibiotics has played a vital role to increased rate in foodborne infectious diseases. Extensive use of antibiotics in food industry against foodborne pathogens or food models has resulted in additional antibiotic resistance to Salmonella which has become a matter of great concern to the public health. There has been an increasing concern worldwide on therapeutic values of natural products. Nature has presented to humanity the gift of vast therapeutic antimicrobial agents of plant origins. There are multitudes of potential useful bioactive substances to be derived from plants. The significance of drugs cannot be over-emphasized with the recent trend of high percentage of resistance of microorganisms to the present day antibiotics. This review provides the informative literature data on antibacterial efficacy of plant essential oils (PEOs) and their volatiles. In addition, the suitability of PEOs and their volatile components for their practical applications in food or food products against Salmonella, a common cause of salmonellosis food poisoning has also been focused. The current knowledge of volatile oils and contents in food model system to control Salmonella has been discussed. Also a brief description on the legal aspects on how to use the volatile oils in food system has been presented, and the area for future research has been proposed. A mode of antibacterial action of PEOs along with their chemical nature has also been described. Although some data on Salmonella-related issues are presented, this review chiefly focused on in vivo practical utilization of plant volatile oils and components in food model-system as natural anti-Salmonella agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded, noncoding RNAs ranging from 19 to 25 nucleotides. The miRNA control various cellular functions by negatively regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The miRNA regulation over their target genes has a central role in regulating plant growth and development; however, only a few reports have been published on the function of miRNAs in the family Solanaceae. We identified Solanaceae miRNAs and their target genes by analyzing expressed sequence tag (EST) data from five different Solanaceae species. A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of EST data of Solanaceae species revealed the presence of at least 11 miRNAs and 54 target genes in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), 22 miRNAs and 221 target genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), 12 miRNAs and 417 target genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), 46 miRNAs and 60 target genes in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), and 7 miRNAs and 28 target genes in Nicotiana benthamiana. The identified Solanaceae miRNAs and their target genes were deposited in the SolmiRNA database, which is freely available for academic research only at http://genepool.kribb.re.kr/SolmiRNA. Our data indicate that the Solanaceae family has both conserved and specific miRNAs and that their target genes may play important roles in growth and development of Solanaceae plants. Les microARN (miARN) constituent une classe de petits ARN monocaténaires et non-codants dont la taille varie entre 19 et 25 nucléotides. Les miARN contrôlent diverses fonctions cellulaires en régulant négativement l'expression génique de manière post-transcriptionnelle. La régulation des gènes qui sont la cible des miARN joue un rôle central dans la régulation de la croissance et du développement. Peu de travaux ont été faits à ce jour sur la fonction des miARN au sein de la famille des solanacées. Les auteurs ont identifié des miARN chez des solanacées ainsi que les gènes qu'ils ciblent en examinant les données de type EST provenant de cinq espèces de solanacées. Une analyse bioinformatique exhaustive des données sur les étiquettes de séquences exprimées (EST) chez ces solanacées a permis de révéler l'existence d'au moins 11 miARN et 54 gènes ciblés chez le poivron (Capsicum annuum L.), 22 miARN et 221 gènes ciblés chez la pomme de terre (Solanum tuberosum L.), 12 miARN et 417 gènes ciblés chez la tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.), 46 miARN et 60 gènes ciblés chez le tabac (Nicotiana tabacum L.) et, finalement, 7 miARN et 28 gènes ciblés chez le Nicotiana benthamiana. Les miARN et leurs cibles ainsi identifiés chez les solanacées ont été déposés dans une base de données, SolmiRNA, qui est accessible gratuitement pour la recherche académique seulement à http://genepool.kribb.re.kr/SolmiRNA. Ces données indiquent qu'il existe à la fois des miARN conservés et spécifiques chez les solanacées et que leurs cibles jouent potentiellement des rôles importants dans la croissance et le développement des solanacées. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of food-borne and infectious diseases has increased globally at an anomalous rate and is combined with emerging social and economic problems. This highlights the need for new and improved antibacterial agents with novel and different mechanisms of action at regular intervals. Some chemical or artificial food additives are considered harmful if they are used beyond their permissible levels. Today, consumers are demanding alternative, green, safer, and natural food additives to increase the shelf life of food. Essential oils (EOs) are concentrated liquid mixtures of volatile compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can be used as natural, eco-friendly, renewable, and cost-effective additives. The use of combinations of different EOs and their components is a promising strategy to increase the synergistic and additive effects of EOs in foods. In this article, we review the recent literature on EOs concerning the chemical constituents, extraction methods, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and their mechanisms of action. Additionally, we discuss the synergistic interaction of different EOs and their components, challenges, and future directions of EOs as natural food preservatives, with special emphasis on shelf life extension and applications in the packaging of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). • Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) remove ubiquitins from the substrates. • DUBs function as modulators in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. • DUBs regulate toxic proteins inducing neurodegenerative diseases via proteasome signaling, mitophagy, autophagy, and ERAD. • DUB small molecule inhibitors affect the targeted toxic proteins related to neurodegenerative diseases via decomposition mechanism. Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most common diseases in mankind. Although there are reports of several candidates that cause neurodegenerative diseases, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis is poorly understood. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is an important posttranslational modification for protein degradation and control of homeostasis. Enzymes such as E1, E2, E3 ligases, and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) participating in UPS, regulate disease-inducing proteins by controlling the degree of ubiquitination. Therefore, the development of treatments targeting enzymes for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is emerging as an attractive perspective. In particular, as DUBs are able to regulate one or more degenerative disease-related proteins, the potential as a therapeutic target is even more evident. DUBs influence the regulation of toxic proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases by not only their removal, but also by regulating signals associated with mitophagy, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). In this review, we analyze not only the cellular processes of DUBs, which control neurodegenerative disease-inducing proteins, but also their potentials as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain group I introns insert into intronless DNA via an endonuclease that creates a double-strand break (DSB). There are two models for intron homing in phage: synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) and double-strand break repair (DSBR). The Cr.psbA4 intron homes efficiently from a plasmid into the chloroplast psbA gene in Chlamydomonas, but little is known about the mechanism. Analysis of co-transformants selected using a spectinomycin-resistant 16S gene (16Sspec) provided evidence for both pathways. We also examined the consequences of the donor DNA having only one-sided or no homology with the psbA gene. When there was no homology with the donor DNA, deletions of up to 5 kb involving direct repeats that flank the psbA gene were obtained. Remarkably, repeats as short as 15 bp were used for this repair, which is consistent with the single-strand annealing (SSA) pathway. When the donor had one-sided homology, the DSB in most co-transformants was repaired using two DNAs, the donor and the 16Sspec plasmid, which, coincidentally, contained a region that is repeated upstream of psbA. DSB repair using two separate DNAs provides further evidence for the SDSA pathway. These data show that the chloroplast can repair a DSB using short dispersed repeats located proximally, distally, or even on separate molecules relative to the DSB. They also provide a rationale for the extensive repertoire of repeated sequences in this genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), which occurs in 0.5%–1% of total pregnancies, is usually defined as three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks of gestation. Although an immunology-based etiology underlying unexplained RPL has been demonstrated, the exact molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Recent studies using transcriptomics and proteomics have implicated several factors. Here, we review the key possible mechanisms, in particular immunological abnormalities and thrombophilic aberration, that might underlie RPL. Taken together, these findings provide insight into the development of effective therapeutics for RPL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genomic structure of a manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene in wheat was elucidated by sequencing a clone from a BAC library of a stripe rust resistant wheat line. The clone was identified by hybridization with a wheat MnSOD cDNA. The gene consisted of 6 exons interrupted by 5 introns with a total length of 4770 nucleotides from the start codon to the termination codon. The wheat MnSOD gene was the longest among those sequenced from plant species. The transcription initiation site was preceded by a G+C-rich promoter without a TATA or CAAT box. The promoter contained many putative cis-acting regulatory elements, including an abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element, a stress-responsive element, and a GC-repeat, as well as several other structural features in common with the promoter of the rice MnSOD gene. A Stowaway-like transposable element was found in intron 5 of the wheat MnSOD gene, but further investigation revealed the transposable element was not present in all copies of the MnSOD genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel subfamily members of deubiquitinating enzyme gene, DUB-1 and DUB-2, are known to be immediate-early genes and are specifically expressed in B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, respectively. Recently, another deubiquitinating enzyme gene DUB-2A, expressed also in T-lymphocytes, has been isolated and we, in this study, found that Dub-2A has isopeptidase activity and there are at least 4 conserved amino acids (Cys60, Asp133, His298, and His307) that are required for catalytic activity of the enzyme. Interestingly, the conserved Asp323 was not essential for the catalytic activity. In addition, transcriptional reporter assay showed that an Ets site and 2 AP-1 sites in the enhancer domain of this gene are required for cytokine inducibility. Taken all together, these results will be very helpful in designing activators or inhibitors of this enzyme in order to regulate its expression and catalytic activity in T-lymphocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recently, we isolated the Dub-2A gene, which encodes a novel murine deubiquitinating enzyme subfamily member, from a bacterial artificial chromosome library clone by PCR amplification with degenerate PCR primers for the Dub-2 cDNA (Back, K.-H., Mondoux, M. A., Jaster, R., Fire-Levin E., and D'Andrea, A. D. (2001) Blood 98, 636-642). In this study, we analyzed two more clones from the library to isolate genes encoding other deubiquitinating enzymes. Dub-1A, which encodes the shortest member of the DUB subfamily of deubiquitinating enzymes so far, has been identified in both clones and characterized. Sequence analysis showed that Dub-1A encodes a 468-amino acid protein that has a molecular mass of ∼51 kDa and that contains a putative catalytic domain (Cys, His, and Asp) conserved among DUB proteins. The amino acid sequence of DUB-1A is 84.5, 84.7, and 85.3% identical to those of DUB-1, DUB-2, and DUB-2A, respectively. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed that Dub-1A is expressed not only in B-lymphocytes in response to interleukin-3 stimulation, but also in T-lymphocytes, brain, heart, liver, lung, kidney, ovary, and spleen. This suggests that Dub-1A may play essential roles in each of these organs. In vivo and in vitro deubiquitinating enzyme assays showed that DUB-1A has functional deubiquitinating activity and that the 5'-flanking sequence of Dub-1A has a functional enhancer domain as shown in Dub-1 and Dub-2A. Interestingly, immunoblot analysis revealed that DUB-1A is polyubiquitinated, indicating that it is degraded through proteasome-mediated degradation. In the absence of JAK2, Dub-1A was expressed at a lower level. This suggests that DUB-1A functions downstream of JAK2 kinase in the interleukin-3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are harmful to living organisms due to the potential oxidation of membranes, DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates. Freezing injury has been shown to involve the attack of ROS. Antioxidant enzymes can protect plant cells from oxidative stress imposed by freezing injury; therefore, cold acclimation may involve an increase in the expression of antioxidant enzymes. In this study, quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes during cold acclimation in near-isogenic lines (NILs) of wheat, differing in the Vrn1-Fr1 chromosome region that conditions winter versus spring wheat growth habit. The antioxidant genes monitored were mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), chloroplastic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,ZnSOD), iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), catalase (CAT), thylakoid-bound ascorbate peroxidase (t-APX), cytosolic glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), cytosolic mono-dehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), chloroplastic dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR). The expression levels were upregulated (MnSOD, MDAR, t-APX, DHAR, GPX, and GR), downregulated (CAT), or relatively constant (FeSOD and Cu,ZnSOD). The Vrn1-Fr1 region seemed to have a role in regulating the expression level of some of the antioxidant enzyme genes because t-APX, CAT and MnSOD expressed to significantly higher levels in the winter wheat NIL than the spring wheat NIL after 4 weeks’ cold acclimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cancer is a disorder of cell growth and proliferation, characterized by different metabolic pathways within normal cells. The Warburg effect is a major metabolic process in cancer cells that affects the cellular responses, such as proliferation and apoptosis. Various signaling factors down/upregulate factors of the glycolysis pathway in cancer cells, and these signaling factors are ubiquitinated/deubiquitinated via the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). Depending on the target protein, DUBs act as both an oncoprotein and a tumor suppressor. Since the degradation of tumor suppressors and stabilization of oncoproteins by either negative regulation by E3 ligases or positive regulation of DUBs, respectively, promote tumorigenesis, it is necessary to suppress these DUBs by applying appropriate inhibitors or small molecules. Therefore, we propose that the DUBs and their inhibitors related to the Warburg effect are potential anticancer targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salicylic acid (SA) is an active secondary metabolite that occurs in bacteria, fungi, and plants. SA and its derivatives (collectively called salicylates) are synthesized from chorismate (derived from shikimate pathway). SA is considered an important phytohormone that regulates various aspects of plant growth, environmental stress, and defense responses against pathogens. Besides plants, a large number of bacterial species, such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azospirillum, Salmonella, Achromobacter, Vibrio, Yersinia, and Mycobacteria, have been reported to synthesize salicylates through the NRPS/PKS biosynthetic gene clusters. This bacterial salicylate production is often linked to the biosynthesis of small ferric-ion-chelating molecules, salicyl-derived siderophores (known as catecholate) under iron-limited conditions. Although bacteria possess entirely different biosynthetic pathways from plants, they share one common biosynthetic enzyme, isochorismate synthase, which converts chorismate to isochorismate, a common precursor for synthesizing SA. Additionally, SA in plants and bacteria can undergo several modifications to carry out their specific functions. In this review, we will systematically focus on the plant and bacterial salicylate biosynthesis and its metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes life-threatening and persistent infections in immunocompromised patients. It is the culprit behind a variety of hospital-acquired infections owing to its multiple tolerance mechanisms against antibiotics and disinfectants. Biofilms are sessile microbial aggregates that are formed as a result of the cooperation and competition between microbial cells encased in a self-produced matrix comprised of extracellular polymeric constituents that trigger surface adhesion and microbial aggregation. Bacteria in biofilms exhibit unique features that are quite different from planktonic bacteria, such as high resistance to antibacterial agents and host immunity. Biofilms of P. aeruginosa are difficult to eradicate due to intrinsic, acquired, and adaptive resistance mechanisms. Consequently, innovative approaches to combat biofilms are the focus of the current research. Nanocomposites, composed of two or more different types of nanoparticles, have diverse therapeutic applications owing to their unique physicochemical properties. They are emerging multifunctional nanoformulations that combine the desired features of the different elements to obtain the highest functionality. This review assesses the recent advances of nanocomposites, including metal-, metal oxide-, polymer-, carbon-, hydrogel/cryogel-, and metal organic framework-based nanocomposites for the eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilms. The characteristics and virulence mechanisms of P. aeruginosa biofilms, as well as their devastating impact and economic burden are discussed. Future research addressing the potential use of nanocomposites as innovative anti-biofilm agents is emphasized. Utilization of nanocomposites safely and effectively should be further strengthened to confirm the safety aspects of their application. [Display omitted] • P. aeruginosa has multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms. • The anti-biofilm activities of metal-, metal oxide-, carbon-, polymer-, hydrogel/cryogel-, and MOF-based nanocomposites against P. aeruginosa biofilms are discussed. • Chemical composition, size, surface charge, and nanoarchitecture influence the anti-biofilm activity of nanocomposites. • Presence of sharp edges, spikes, pillars, or protrusions on the surface of nanocomposites enables piercing and rupturing of biofilms. • Nanocomposites are promising anti-biofilm agents against P. aeruginosa biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally due to their resistance to multiple antibiotics. This has triggered initiatives to develop novel, alternative antimicrobial materials, which solve the issue of infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Nanotechnology using nanoscale materials, especially multimetallic nanoparticles (NPs), has attracted interest because of the favorable physicochemical properties of these materials, including antibacterial properties and excellent biocompatibility. Multimetallic NPs, particularly those formed by more than two metals, exhibit rich electronic, optical, and magnetic properties. Multimetallic NP properties, including size and shape, zeta potential, and large surface area, facilitate their efficient interaction with bacterial cell membranes, thereby inducing disruption, reactive oxygen species production, protein dysfunction, DNA damage, and killing potentiated by the host's immune system. In this review, we summarize research progress on the synergistic effect of multimetallic NPs as alternative antimicrobial agents for treating severe bacterial infections. We highlight recent promising innovations of multimetallic NPs that help overcome antimicrobial resistance. These include insights into their properties, mode of action, the development of synthetic methods, and combinatorial therapies using bi- and trimetallic NPs with other existing antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]