A Novel Peptide Derived from Ginger Induces Apoptosis through the Modulation of p53, BAX, and BCL2 Expression in Leukemic Cell Lines

Menthol induces extracellular vesicle regulation of apoptosis via ATG3 and caspase-3 in acute leukemic cells

Leukemia is one of the most deadly cancers in Thailand. Natural compounds have been developed for cancer treatment. Menthol, a peppermint compound, has shown pharmacological properties such as anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism of menthol inducing extracellular vesicles in leukemic cells is not yet understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of menthol on leukemic extracellular vesicles and their role in apoptosis. NB4 and Molt-4 leukemic cells were cultured with menthol in various concentrations and times. Bioinformatic analysis was used to investigate target proteins of extracellular vesicle and apoptosis, followed by mRNA and protein expression by RT‒PCR and western blotting, respectively. Our findings indicate that menthol inhibits leukemic cell proliferation and increases extracellular vesicles. Furthermore, menthol treated leukemic extracellular vesicles induce apoptosis and upregulate the expression of ATG3 and caspase-3 in both mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that menthol has an antileukemic effect through ATG3 and caspase-3 in apoptosis of leukemic extracellular vesicles.

Exploring the Potential of Bioactive Peptides: From Natural Sources to Therapeutics

Bioactive peptides, specific protein fragments with positive health effects, are gaining traction in drug development for advantages like enhanced penetration, low toxicity, and rapid clearance. This comprehensive review navigates the intricate landscape of peptide science, covering discovery to functional characterization. Beginning with a peptidomic exploration of natural sources, the review emphasizes the search for novel peptides. Extraction approaches, including enzymatic hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and specialized methods for disulfide-linked peptides, are extensively covered. Mass spectrometric analysis techniques for data acquisition and identification, such as liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, untargeted peptide analysis, and bioinformatics, are thoroughly outlined. The exploration of peptide bioactivity incorporates various methodologies, from in vitro assays to in silico techniques, including advanced approaches like phage display and cell-based assays. The review also discusses the structure-activity relationship in the context of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), ACE-inhibitory peptides (ACEs), and antioxidative peptides (AOPs). Concluding with key findings and future research directions, this interdisciplinary review serves as a comprehensive reference, offering a holistic understanding of peptides and their potential therapeutic applications.

Expression profile and functional prediction of novel LncRNA 5.8S rRNA-OT1 in cattle

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are generally longer than 200 bp in length and play an important regulatory role in the growth and development of skeletal muscle. In the previous work, the non-coding RNAs with abundant expression in bovine tissues were screened out. After quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), 33 lncRNAs with differential expression in various bovine tissues were identified. Differential expression analysis base on tissue expression profiles of 33 lncRNAs, a long non-coding RNA LncRNA13, which may have effects on bovine muscle development, was found. The expression levels in embryo muscle and adult cattle muscle were significantly different (p < 0.01), so it is speculated that it may have a certain impact on the development of cattle muscle. It was named LncRNA 5.8S rRNA-OT1, and its overexpression vector pcDNA3.1-LncRNA 5.8S rRNA-OT1 was cloned and constructed. The purpose of this study is to further explore its impact on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine muscle cells and accumulate data to lay a foundation for further exploration of the function of LncRNA 5.8S rRNA-OT1 and add basic data for the study of the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA.

Rapeseed peptide inhibits HepG2 cell proliferation by regulating the mitochondrial and P53 signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Rapeseed peptide, extracted from rapeseed protein, is known to have a variety of biological activities. In this study, the anti-proliferation effect and molecular mechanism of rapeseed peptide on HepG2 cells were investigated.

RESULTS

In vitro anticancer experiments showed that the rapeseed peptide NDGNQPL could inhibit HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner [half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ ), 1.56 mmol L^-1 ). HepG2 cells were induced by NDGNQPL at a 0.5 mmol L^-1 concentration and exhibited a 28.39 ± 0.80% apoptosis rate and a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, rapeseed peptide induced a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, and changes in the nuclear morphology of HepG2 cells, indicating that rapeseed peptide could induce cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. In addition, rapeseed peptide activated the proliferation-related P53 signaling pathway, in which the expression levels of P53, P21, and cleaved-caspase3 were up-regulated, while the expression levels of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) were down-regulated. In molecular docking simulations, NDGNQPL exhibited a good affinity for the MDM2 molecule, which supported the notion that the rapeseed peptide is able to inhibit MDM2, a negative regulator of P53.

CONCLUSION

The current results indicate that the rapeseed-derived NDGNQPL peptide has the potential to inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and promote human health. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

nurP28, a New-to-Nature Zein-Derived Peptide, Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Docetaxel in Breast Cancer Monolayers and Spheroids

The development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies has garnered increasing interest in cancer research. Among the therapeutic choices, chemosensitizers have shown exciting prospects. Peptides are an attractive alternative among the molecules that may be used as chemosensitizers. We rationally designed a new-to-nature peptide, nurP28, derived from the 22-kDa α-zein protein sequence (entry Q00919_MAIZE). The resultant sequence of the nurP28 peptide after the addition of arginine residues was LALLALLRLRRRATTAFIIP, and we added acetyl and amide groups at the N- and C-terminus, respectively, for capping. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of the nurP28 peptide alone and in combination with docetaxel in fibroblast monolayers and breast cancer monolayers and spheroids. Our results indicated that nurP28 is not cytotoxic to human fibroblasts or cancer cells. Nevertheless, when combined with 1 µM docetaxel, 3 ng/mL nurP28 induced equivalent (in MCF7 monolayers) and higher (in MCF7 spheroids) cytotoxic effects than 10-fold higher doses of docetaxel alone. These findings suggest that nurP28 may act as a chemosensitizer in breast cancer treatment. This study describes the enhancing “anti-cancer” effects of nurP28 in breast cancer 2D and 3D cultures treated with docetaxel. Further studies should explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and assess the clinical potential of our findings using animal models.

Downregulation of REST in the cochlea contributes to age-related hearing loss via the p53 apoptosis pathway

Age-related hearing loss (AHL) is the most common sensory disorder amongst the elderly population. Although the degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) and hair cells (HCs) is considered to play a critical role in AHL, the mechanism has not been fully outlined. The repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) has recently been associated with mediating cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. However, whether REST induces degeneration of cochlear HCs and SGNs to contribute to AHL remains unknown. Here, we report that REST expression was decreased in HCs and SGNs in AHL mice. Conditional deletion of Rest in HCs and SGNs of 2-month-old mice resulted in hearing loss accompanied by the upregulation of p53, TNFR1(tumor necrosis factor receptor-1), and cleaved caspase-3. The p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α significantly attenuated SGN and HC damage and rescued hearing impairment in Rest cKO mice. Furthermore, downregulation of REST by H₂O₂ treatment induced apoptosis in the House Ear Institute Organ of Corti 1 cell, through the upregulation of p53. In contrast, overexpression of REST reversed the changes in p53 expression. In addition, REST was further shown to bind directly to the p53 promoter site, thereby inhibiting the effect of p53. Finally, in aged mice, the p53 inhibitor significantly reduced loss of HCs and SGNs, and subsequently improved hearing. In summary, our findings indicate that REST has a protective role in AHL, and that its deficiency upregulates p53 and induces cochlear cell apoptosis, which that leads to deafness.

A review on processing methods and functions of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides

Wheat germ protein is a potential resource to produce bioactive peptides. As a cheap, safe, and healthy nutritional factor, wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides (WGBPs) provide benefits and great potential for biomedical applications. The objective of this review is to reveal the current research status of WGBPs, including their preparation methods and biological functions, such as antibacterial, anti-tumor, immune regulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, etc. We also reviewed the information in terms of the preventive ability of WGBPs to treat serious infectious diseases, to offer their reference to further research and application. Opinions on future research directions are also discussed. Through the review of previous research, we find that there are still some scientific issues in the basic research and industrialization process of WGBPs that deserve further exploration. Firstly, based on current complex enzymolysis, the preparation and production of WGBPs need to be combined with other advanced technology to achieve efficient and large-scale production. Secondly, studies on the bioavailability, biosafety, and mechanism against different diseases of WGBPs need to be carried out in different in vitro and in vivo models. More human experimental evidence is also required to support its industrial application as a functional food and nutritional supplement.HighlightsThe purification and identification of wheat germ-derived bioactive peptides.The main biological activities and potential mechanisms of wheat germ hydrolysates/peptides.Possible absorption and transport pathways of wheat germ hydrolysate/peptide.Wheat germ peptide shows a variety of health benefits according to its amino acid sequence.Current food applications and future perspectives of wheat germ protein hydrolysates/peptide.