Isolation and identification of O- and N-linked glycoproteins in milk from different mammalian species and their roles in biological pathways which support infant growth

An in silico approach to identify potential downstream targets of miR-153 involved in Alzheimer's disease

Background: In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Messenger RNA (mRNA) targeting for regulation of gene expression by miRNAs has been implicated in the annotation of disease pathophysiology as well as in the explication of their starring role in contemporary therapeutic interventions. One such miRNA is miR-153 which mediates the survival of cortical neurons and inhibits plaque formation. However, the core mRNA targets of miR-153 have not been fully illustrated. Objective: The present study aimed to elucidate the potential involvement of miR-153 in AD pathogenesis and to reveal its downstream targets. Methods: miRanda was used to identify AD-associated targets of miR-153. TargetScan, PicTar, miRmap, and miRDB were further used to validate these targets. STRING 12 was employed to assess the protein-protein interaction network while Gene ontology (GO) analysis was carried out to identify the molecular functions exhibited by these gene targets. Results: In silico analysis using miRanda predicted five important AD-related targets of miR-153, including APP, SORL1, PICALM, USF1, and PSEN1. All five target genes are negatively regulated by miR-153 and are substantially involved in AD pathogenesis. A protein interaction network using STRING 12 uncovered 30 potential interacting partners for SORL1, PICALM, and USF1. GO analysis revealed that miR-153 target genes play a critical role in neuronal survival, differentiation, exon guidance, amyloid precursor protein processing, and synapse formation. Conclusion: These findings unravel the potential role of miR-153 in the pathogenesis of AD and provide the basis for forthcoming experimental studies.

Advances in separation and identification of biologically important milk proteins and peptides

Milk is a rich source of biologically important proteins and peptides. In addition, milk contains a variety of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, that carry their own proteome cargo. EVs are essential for cell-cell communication and modulation of biological processes. They act as nature carriers of bioactive proteins/peptides in targeted delivery during various physiological and pathological conditions. Identification of the proteins and protein-derived peptides in milk and EVs and recognition of their biological activities and functions had a tremendous impact on food industry, medicine research, and clinical applications. Advanced separation methods, mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic approaches and innovative biostatistical procedures allowed for characterization of milk protein isoforms, genetic/splice variants, posttranslational modifications and their key roles, and contributed to novel discoveries. This review article discusses recently published developments in separation and identification of bioactive proteins/peptides from milk and milk EVs, including MS-based proteomic approaches.

Characterization of the internal working-life exposome using minimally and non-invasive sampling methods - a narrative review

During recent years, we are moving away from the 'one exposure, one disease'-approach in occupational settings and towards a more comprehensive approach, taking into account the totality of exposures during a life course by using an exposome approach. Taking an exposome approach however is accompanied by many challenges, one of which, for example, relates to the collection of biological samples. Methods used for sample collection in occupational exposome studies should ideally be minimally invasive, while at the same time sensitive, and enable meaningful repeated sampling in a large population and over a longer time period. This might be hampered in specific situations e.g., people working in remote areas, during pandemics or with flexible work hours. In these situations, using self-sampling techniques might offer a solution. Therefore, our aim was to identify existing self-sampling techniques and to evaluate the applicability of these techniques in an occupational exposome context by conducting a literature review. We here present an overview of current self-sampling methodologies used to characterize the internal exposome. In addition, the use of different biological matrices was evaluated and subdivided based on their level of invasiveness and applicability in an occupational exposome context. In conclusion, this review and the overview of self-sampling techniques presented herein can serve as a guide in the design of future (occupational) exposome studies while circumventing sample collection challenges associated with exposome studies.

Analysis of milk with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry: a review

As a widely consumed foodstuff, milk and dairy products are increasingly studied over the years. At the present time, milk profiling is used as a benchmark to assess the properties of milk. Modern biomolecular mass spectrometers have become invaluable to fully characterize the milk composition. This review reports the analysis of milk and its components using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS). LC–MS analysis as a whole will be discussed subdivided into the major constituents of milk, namely, lipids, proteins, sugars and the mineral fraction.