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Tao W, Xu W, Li X, Zhang X, Li C, Guo M. Characterization of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) gene reveals involvement of immune defense against Vibrio splendidus infection in Apostichopus japonicus. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 153:109804. [PMID: 39102970 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) constitutes an evolutionarily conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases, pivotal in regulating various physiological processes in vertebrates, encompassing apoptosis and antibacterial immunity. Nevertheless, the involvement of JNK in the innate immune response remains largely unexplored in pathogen-induced echinoderms. We isolated and characterized the JNK gene from Apostichopus japonicus (AjJNK) in our investigation. The full-length cDNA sequences of AjJNK spanned 1806 bp, comprising a 1299 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 432 amino acids, a 274 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), and a 233 bp 3'-UTR. Structural analysis revealed the presence of a classical S_TKc domain (37-335 amino acids) within AjJNK and contains several putative immune-related transcription factor-binding sites, including Elk-1, NF-κB, AP-1, and STAT5. Spatial expression analysis indicated ubiquitous expression of AjJNK across all examined tissues, with the highest expression noted in coelomocytes. The mRNA, protein, and phosphorylation levels of AjJNK were obviously induced in coelomocytes upon V. splendidus challenge and lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated predominant cytoplasmic localization of AjJNK in coelomocytes with subsequent nuclear translocation following the V. splendidus challenge in vivo. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of AjJNK led to a significant increase in intracellular bacterial load, as well as elevated levels of Ajcaspase 3 and coelomocyte apoptosis post V. splendidus infection. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of AjJNK inhibited by its specific inhibitor SP600125 and also significantly suppressed the expression of Ajcaspase 3 and coelomocyte apoptosis during pathogen infection. Collectively, these data underscored the pivotal role of AjJNK in immune defense, specifically in the regulation of coelomocyte apoptosis in V. splendidus-challenged A. japonicus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China
| | - Weijia Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China
| | - Xiumei Zhang
- Yantai Marine Economic Research Institute, Yantai, 265503, PR China.
| | - Chenghua Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, PR China
| | - Ming Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, PR China.
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Qu F, Xu W, Deng Z, Xie Y, Tang J, Chen Z, Luo W, Xiong D, Zhao D, Fang J, Zhou Z, Liu Z. Fish c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Pathway Is Involved in Bacterial MDP-Induced Intestinal Inflammation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:459. [PMID: 32292404 PMCID: PMC7134542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) are an evolutionarily conserved family of serine/threonine protein kinases that play critical roles in the pathological process in species ranging from insects to mammals. However, the function of JNKs in bacteria-induced intestinal inflammation is still poorly understood. In this study, a fish JNK (CiJNK) pathway was identified, and its potential roles in bacterial muramyl dipeptide (MDP)-induced intestinal inflammation were investigated in Ctenopharyngodon idella. The present CiJNK was found to possess a conserved dual phosphorylation motif (TPY) in a serine/threonine protein kinase (S_TKc) domain and to contain several potential immune-related transcription factor binding sites, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), activating protein 1 (AP-1), and signal transducer and activator of downstream transcription 3 (STAT3), in its 5′ flanking regions. Quantitative real-time PCR results revealed that the mRNA levels of the JNK pathway genes in the intestine were significantly upregulated after challenge with a bacterial pathogen (Aeromonas hydrophila) and MDP in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, the JNK pathway was found to be involved in regulating the MDP-induced expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) in the intestine of grass carp. Moreover, the nutritional dipeptide carnosine and Ala–Gln could effectively alleviate MDP-induced intestinal inflammation by regulating the intestinal expression of JNK pathway genes and inflammatory cytokines in grass carp. Finally, fluorescence microscopy and dual-reporter assays indicated that CiJNK could associate with CiMKK4 and CiMKK7 involved in the regulation of the AP-1 signaling pathway. Overall, these results provide the first experimental demonstration that the JNK signaling pathway is involved in the intestinal immune response to MDP challenge in C. idella, which may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fufa Qu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenqian Xu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhangren Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifang Xie
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianzhou Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenjie Luo
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Ding Xiong
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Dafang Zhao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiamei Fang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhigang Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Quality Control of Aquatic Animals, Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory for Feed Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Goulet B, Chan G, Chambers AF, Lewis JD. An emerging role for the nuclear localization of maspin in the suppression of tumor progression and metastasis. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 90:22-38. [PMID: 22047058 DOI: 10.1139/o11-053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maspin, a member of the serpin family of serine protease inhibitors, was originally identified as a tumor suppressor that is expressed in normal mammary epithelial cells but is reduced or absent in breast carcinomas. Early enthusiasm for maspin as a biomarker for disease progression has been tempered by clinical data that associates maspin with favourable outcomes in some studies and poor prognosis in others. Here, we review all of the published clinical studies for maspin in breast and ovarian cancers and propose that the apparent discordance between clinical reports is a consequence of differential cellular distribution of maspin. Indeed, it was thought that an extracellular pool of maspin possessed tumor suppressor activity, acting by inhibiting migration and increasing cell adhesion. Recent evidence from our group and others indicates, however, that the nuclear localization of maspin in cancer cells is necessary for its tumor suppressor activity. We provide additional data here to demonstrate that nuclear-localized maspin binds to chromatin and is required to effectively prevent cells from metastasizing. Our knowledge of other serpins that localize to the nucleus should help to inform future studies of nuclear maspin. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms regulating the localization and activities of maspin should pave the way for the development of improved diagnostics and therapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Goulet
- London Regional Cancer Program, Translational Prostate Cancer Research Group, London, ON N6A 4L6, Canada
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Ke H, Harris R, Coloff JL, Jin JY, Leshin B, Miliani de Marval P, Tao S, Rathmell JC, Hall RP, Zhang JY. The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 2 plays a dominant role in human epidermal neoplasia. Cancer Res 2010; 70:3080-8. [PMID: 20354187 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade has been implicated in a wide range of diseases, including cancer. It is unclear how different JNK proteins contribute to human cancer. Here, we report that JNK2 is activated in more than 70% of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) samples and that inhibition of JNK2 pharmacologically or genetically impairs tumorigenesis of human SCC cells. Most importantly, JNK2, but not JNK1, is sufficient to couple with oncogenic Ras to transform primary human epidermal cells into malignancy with features of SCC. JNK2 prevents Ras-induced cell senescence and growth arrest by reducing the expression levels of the cell cycle inhibitor p16 and the activation of NF-kappaB. On the other hand, JNK, along with phosphoinositide 3-kinase, is essential for Ras-induced glycolysis, an energy-producing process known to benefit cancer growth. These data indicate that JNK2 collaborates with other oncogenes, such as Ras, at multiple molecular levels to promote tumorigenesis and hence represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengning Ke
- Department of Dermatology and Pharmacology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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An L, Dong GQ, Gao Q, Zhang Y, Hu LW, Li JH, Liu Y. Effects of UVA on TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-10 expression levels in human keratinocytes and intervention studies with an antioxidant and a JNK inhibitor. PHOTODERMATOLOGY PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE 2010; 26:28-35. [PMID: 20070836 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00481.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the expressions and transduction pathways of cytokines in ultraviolet (UV)A-irradiated keratinocytes. METHODS We cultured human keratinocytes of the HaCaT cell line and investigated both mRNA and protein expressions of cytokines in cells that were not irradiated or were exposed to 2.4 J/cm(2) UVA, with or without an antioxidant (beta-carotene) or a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125). RESULTS We demonstrated that the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta were up-regulated in irradiated cells. IL-10 was not detected in non-irradiated cells, but was observed in irradiated cells. JNK was activated in irradiated cells and this could be antagonized by beta-carotene. The UVA-induced up-regulation of these cytokines was also antagonized by beta-carotene. SP600125 inhibited the UVA-induced increase in the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA and protein and in the expression of IL-1beta mRNA. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that oxidative stress may be an early intermediate effect in JNK-dependent UVA induction of cytokine expression in human keratinocytes in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li An
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Katagiri C, Iida T, Nakanishi J, Ozawa M, Aiba S, Hibino T. Up-regulation of serpin SCCA1 is associated with epidermal barrier disruption. J Dermatol Sci 2010; 57:95-101. [PMID: 20089382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2009.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2009] [Revised: 08/26/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parakeratosis, the persistent presence of nuclei in the stratum corneum (SC) is associated with serious disruption of skin barrier function. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1) is strongly up-regulated in inflamed and parakeratotic skin. OBJECTIVE To find a biochemical marker for the SC barrier disruption, especially the disruption associated with parakeratosis. METHODS An ELISA assay system was established to quantify SCCA1 in the extract of tape-stripped cornified cells. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and other skin parameters were measured and compared with the amount of SCCA1. Localization of SCCA1 was investigated immunohistochemically in various skin diseases with parakeratosis. Nuclei and SCCA1 on the skin surface were detected by staining of corniocytes collected on an adhesive-coated slide glass. RESULTS SCCA1 showed strong up-regulation in lesional skin with psoriasis (466-fold), hayfever skin caused by Japanese ceder pollen (232-fold) and sun-exposed skin of healthy individuals (90-fold) compared to their normal sun-protected skin. The increased levels of SCCA1 were well correlated with increased values of TEWL and the number of parakeratotic cells in the SC. Furthermore, subjects with high levels of SCCA1 in the epidermis were more susceptible to barrier disruption by external stimuli, and this was accompanied with a further increase of SCCA1. We confirmed that localization of SCCA1 was limited to parakeratotic areas by using the skin surface staining technique. Immunohistochemical study also demonstrated that SCCA1 was always present at high levels in parakeratotic epidermis. CONCLUSION All of our findings indicate that SCCA1 plays an important role in the induction of epidermal barrier disruption. SCCA1 may be a critical determinant of barrier function in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chika Katagiri
- Shiseido Research Center, 2-12-1 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-8643, Japan
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Crystal structure of SCCA1 and insight about the interaction with JNK1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 380:143-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.01.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Petrová I, Sedmíková M, Petr J, Vodková Z, Pytloun P, Chmelíková E, Rehák D, Ctrnáctá A, Rajmon R, Jílek F. The roles of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in aged pig oocytes. J Reprod Dev 2008; 55:75-82. [PMID: 19023183 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.20061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
After reaching metaphase II, in vitro matured oocytes undergo the complex processes referred to as oocyte aging. Under our culture conditions, some aged oocytes remained at the stage of metaphase II, some underwent spontaneous parthenogenetic activation and others underwent cellular death, either through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. We investigated the effect of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibition on pig oocyte aging and the activity of JNK and p38 MAPK during the aging period. Inhibition of JNK protected the oocytes from fragmentation (0% fragmented oocytes under JNK inhibition vs. 26% fragmented oocytes in the control group). Inhibition of p38 MAPK had no effect on fragmentation. Inhibition of JNK also had an influence on spontaneous parthenogenetic activation of aged oocytes. The ratio of activated JNK to total JNK decreased during aging of oocytes. However, exit from MII had no effect on it. The ratio of activated p38 MAPK to total p38 MAPK did not change significantly. The phosphorylated form of JNK is present in fragmented and activated oocytes, while lysed oocytes lack the active form of JNK. Based on our data, we can conclude that JNK plays an active role in fragmentation of pig oocytes and that p38 MAPK is not involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Petrová
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Kuo LH, Hu MK, Hsu WM, Tung YT, Wang BJ, Tsai WW, Yen CT, Liao YF. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-elicited stimulation of gamma-secretase is mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent phosphorylation of presenilin and nicastrin. Mol Biol Cell 2008; 19:4201-12. [PMID: 18667537 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-09-0987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma-secretase is a multiprotein complex composed of presenilin (PS), nicastrin (NCT), Aph-1, and Pen-2, and it catalyzes the final proteolytic step in the processing of amyloid precursor protein to generate amyloid-beta. Our previous results showed that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) can potently stimulate gamma-secretase activity through a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent pathway. Here, we demonstrate that TNF-alpha triggers JNK-dependent serine/threonine phosphorylation of PS1 and NCT to stimulate gamma-secretase activity. Blocking of JNK activity with a potent JNK inhibitor (SP600125) reduces TNF-alpha-triggered phosphorylation of PS1 and NCT. Consistent with this, we show that activated JNKs can be copurified with gamma-secretase complexes and that active recombinant JNK2 can promote the phosphorylation of PS1 and NCT in vitro. Using site-directed mutagenesis and a synthetic peptide, we clearly show that the Ser(319)Thr(320) motif in PS1 is an important JNK phosphorylation site that is critical for the TNF-alpha-elicited regulation of gamma-secretase. This JNK phosphorylation of PS1 at Ser(319)Thr(320) enhances the stability of the PS1 C-terminal fragment that is necessary for gamma-secretase activity. Together, our findings strongly suggest that JNK is a critical intracellular mediator of TNF-alpha-elicited regulation of gamma-secretase and governs the pivotal step in the assembly of functional gamma-secretase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Hsin Kuo
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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Henklová P, Vrzal R, Ulrichová J, Dvorák Z. Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling. Chem Biol Interact 2007; 172:93-104. [PMID: 18282562 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2007.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2007] [Revised: 12/14/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Human populations are increasingly exposed to a number of environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxins. These compounds are activators of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) that controls the expression of many genes including those for detoxification enzymes. The regulatory mechanisms of AhR are multi-factorial and include phosphorylation by various protein kinases. Significant progress in the research of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been achieved in the last decade. Isolated reports have been published on the role of MAPKs in AhR functions and vice versa, with activation of MAPKs by AhR ligands. This mini-review summarizes current knowledge on the mutual interactions between MAPKs and AhR. The majority of studies has been done on cancer-derived cell lines that have impaired cell cycle regulation and lacks the complete detoxification apparatus. We emphasize the importance of the future studies that should be done on non-transformed cells to distinguish the role of MAPKs in cancer and normal cells. Primary cultures of human or rodent hepatocytes that are equipped with a fully functional biotransformation battery or xenobiotics-metabolizing extra-hepatic tissues should be the models of choice, as the results in our experiments confirm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Henklová
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hnevotínská 3, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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