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Di Gregorio E, Staelens M, Hosseinkhah N, Karimpoor M, Liburd J, Lim L, Shankar K, Tuszyński JA. Raman Spectroscopy Reveals Photobiomodulation-Induced α-Helix to β-Sheet Transition in Tubulins: Potential Implications for Alzheimer's and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1093. [PMID: 38998698 PMCID: PMC11243591 DOI: 10.3390/nano14131093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
In small clinical studies, the application of transcranial photobiomodulation (PBM), which typically delivers low-intensity near-infrared (NIR) to treat the brain, has led to some remarkable results in the treatment of dementia and several neurodegenerative diseases. However, despite the extensive literature detailing the mechanisms of action underlying PBM outcomes, the specific mechanisms affecting neurodegenerative diseases are not entirely clear. While large clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings, evidence of the mechanisms can explain and thus provide credible support for PBM as a potential treatment for these diseases. Tubulin and its polymerized state of microtubules have been known to play important roles in the pathology of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we investigated the effects of PBM on these cellular structures in the quest for insights into the underlying therapeutic mechanisms. In this study, we employed a Raman spectroscopic analysis of the amide I band of polymerized samples of tubulin exposed to pulsed low-intensity NIR radiation (810 nm, 10 Hz, 22.5 J/cm2 dose). Peaks in the Raman fingerprint region (300-1900 cm-1)-in particular, in the amide I band (1600-1700 cm-1)-were used to quantify the percentage of protein secondary structures. Under this band, hidden signals of C=O stretching, belonging to different structures, are superimposed, producing a complex signal as a result. An accurate decomposition of the amide I band is therefore required for the reliable analysis of the conformation of proteins, which we achieved through a straightforward method employing a Voigt profile. This approach was validated through secondary structure analyses of unexposed control samples, for which comparisons with other values available in the literature could be conducted. Subsequently, using this validated method, we present novel findings of statistically significant alterations in the secondary structures of polymerized NIR-exposed tubulin, characterized by a notable decrease in α-helix content and a concurrent increase in β-sheets compared to the control samples. This PBM-induced α-helix to β-sheet transition connects to reduced microtubule stability and the introduction of dynamism to allow for the remodeling and, consequently, refreshing of microtubule structures. This newly discovered mechanism could have implications for reducing the risks associated with brain aging, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, through the introduction of an intervention following this transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Di Gregorio
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS), Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Department of Physics, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Staelens
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Instituto de Física Corpuscular, CSIC–Universitat de València, Carrer Catedràtic José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Lew Lim
- Vielight Inc., Toronto, ON M4Y 2G8, Canada
| | - Karthik Shankar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Jack A. Tuszyński
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS), Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
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Downregulated Expression of Virulence Factors Induced by Benzyl Isothiocyanate in Staphylococcus Aureus: A Transcriptomic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215441. [PMID: 31683671 PMCID: PMC6862589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common foodborne pathogen that leads to various diseases; therefore, we urgently need to identify different means to control this harmful pathogen in food. In this study, we monitored the transcriptional changes of S. aureus by RNA-seq analysis to better understand the effect of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) on the virulence inhibition of S. aureus and determined the bacteriostatic effect of BITC at subinhibitory concentrations. Our results revealed that, compared with the control group (SAC), the BITC-treated experimental group (SAQ_BITC) had 708 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 333 genes were downregulated and the capsular polysaccharide (cp) was significantly downregulated. Furthermore, we screened five of the most virulent factors of S. aureus, including the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis protein (cp5D), capsular polysaccharide synthesis enzyme (cp8F), thermonuclease (nuc), clumping factor (clf), and protein A (spa), and verified the accuracy of these significantly downregulated genes by qRT-PCR. At the same time, we used light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inverted fluorescence microscopy (IFM) to observe changes in biofilm associated with the cp5D and cp8F. Therefore, these results will help to further study the basis of BITC for the antibacterial action of foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
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Dayalan Naidu S, Suzuki T, Yamamoto M, Fahey JW, Dinkova‐Kostova AT. Phenethyl Isothiocyanate, a Dual Activator of Transcription Factors NRF2 and HSF1. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018; 62:e1700908. [PMID: 29710398 PMCID: PMC6175120 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201700908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of glucosinolates which are the biogenic precursor molecules of isothiocyanates (ITCs). The relationship between the consumption of cruciferous vegetables and chemoprotection has been widely documented in epidemiological studies. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) occurs as its glucosinolate precursor gluconasturtiin in the cruciferous vegetable watercress (Nasturtium officinale). PEITC has multiple biological effects, including activation of cytoprotective pathways, such as those mediated by the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2) and the transcription factor heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), and can cause changes in the epigenome. However, at high concentrations, PEITC leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species and cytoskeletal changes, resulting in cytotoxicity. Underlying these activities is the sulfhydryl reactivity of PEITC with cysteine residues in its protein targets. This chemical reactivity highlights the critical importance of the dose of PEITC for achieving on-target selectivity, which should be carefully considered in the design of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharadha Dayalan Naidu
- Cullman Chemoprotection CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular SciencesJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Takafumi Suzuki
- Department of Medical BiochemistryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendai980‐8575Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Department of Medical BiochemistryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendai980‐8575Japan
| | - Jed W. Fahey
- Cullman Chemoprotection CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular SciencesJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of MedicineDivision of Clinical PharmacologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of International HealthCenter for Human NutritionJohns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Albena T. Dinkova‐Kostova
- Cullman Chemoprotection CenterJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular SciencesJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Department of MedicineDivision of Clinical PharmacologyJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205USA
- Jacqui Wood Cancer CentreDivision of Cancer ResearchSchool of MedicineUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 9SYScotlandUK
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Qian L, Zhu Y. Computer-aided drug design and inhibitive effect of a novel nitrogenous heterocyclic compound and its mechanism on glioma U251 cells and breast cancer MCF-7 cells. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:1931-1939. [PMID: 29983547 PMCID: PMC6027699 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s168130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Glioma and breast cancer are severe malignant cancerous tumors that highlight the importance of developing new anti-cancer drugs. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a novel nitrogenous heterocyclic compound on glioma and breast cancer cells and to determine its mechanism of action. Methods We designed and synthesized a novel nitrogenous heterocyclic compound, 3-(4-amino-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carboxamido)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroimidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5] tetrazine-8-carboxamide, based on alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS) using computer-aided drug design (CADD), and we measured its effect on the proliferation, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis of U251 glioma and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In addition, the compound’s effect on the expression of tumor-related mRNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) was explored. Results It was found that the nitrogenous heterocyclic compound could induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase of U251/MCF-7 cells and activate apoptosis. Real-time PCR showed that the expression levels of tumor-related mRNA, circRNAs and lncRNAs were impacted. Conclusion We concluded that the nitrogenous heterocyclic compound inhibits the proliferation and invasion of U251 glioma and MCF-7 breast cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by regulating tumor-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyu Qian
- Department of Tumor Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China,
| | - Yu Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebral Vessels and Neuraldegenerative Disease, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300350, China,
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